Don Massey (car dealer)
Donald E. Massey | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | June 9, 2011 (aged 83) Northville, Michigan, U.S. |
| Occupation | Car dealer |
| Known for | Largest-volume Cadillac retailer in the nation |
| Spouse | Joyce |
| Children | 3 |
Donald E. Massey (April 28, 1928 – June 9, 2011), often referred to as the “Cadillac King”, was a prominent American automobile dealer who operated a network of car dealerships across the United States. At the height of his career, Massey commanded the largest Cadillac sales volume nationwide, representing about 6% of the brand’s total sales.
Dealerships
Initially working in construction within his native Tennessee, Don Massey relocated his family to the Detroit metropolitan area in 1955 and embarked on a career in automobile sales. Demonstrating exceptional salesmanship, by the late 1950s he advanced to roles including used car manager and subsequently general manager at a Chevrolet dealership located in Detroit. In 1961, Massey launched his own used car business in Wayne, Michigan. Approximately six years later, he acquired a stake in the Beglinger Oldsmobile-Cadillac dealership based in Plymouth, Michigan, which was then rebranded as Beglinger-Massey Oldsmobile-Cadillac. By 1974, Massey assumed full control of the operation and renamed it Don Massey Cadillac. Four years later, in 1978, the dealership moved into a newly constructed 54,000 square foot facility roughly one and a half miles east of its former location. This site became the company’s flagship showroom and by the early 1990s had emerged as the highest-volume Cadillac dealership in the United States.
Over subsequent decades, Massey expanded his holdings by acquiring additional dealerships throughout Michigan and other states. Some of these acquisitions were made in collaboration with professional golfer Arnold Palmer. Beyond Cadillac, various Don Massey dealerships retailed brands such as Bentley, Buick, Chevrolet, Geo, GMC, Honda, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Rolls-Royce, Saab, Saturn, and Sterling.
Massey concluded his career in 2002 by retiring and divesting his portfolio of sixteen dealerships to Sonic Automotive.
Attempt to Acquire DeLorean Motor Company
In November 1982, Charles DeLorean, a Cadillac dealership owner based in Lakewood, Ohio and sibling of John DeLorean, collaborated with Don Massey in an effort to purchase the assets of the bankrupt DeLorean Motor Company. Their bid was ultimately declined when a federal bankruptcy judge authorized the sale to Consolidated International, a company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio.
Final Cadillac Eldorado
The concluding Cadillac Eldorado vehicle was produced on April 22, 2002, at the Lansing Craft Center manufacturing facility located in Lansing, Michigan. This last model was gifted to the Cadillac Museum as a tribute to Don Massey.
Charitable Endeavors
In memory of his wife Joyce, who suffered serious injuries in a car accident in 1983, Massey established the Joyce and Don Massey Family Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to supporting initiatives related to research, education, and patient care for those affected by traumatic brain injuries.
Personal Details
Don Massey was married to Joyce (née Coleman) from 1945 until her passing in 1993. The couple had three children together. Massey passed away at age 83 on June 9, 2011, at his residence in Northville, Michigan.
According to Mlive, his former residence was listed for sale at $3.5 million in 2019.