Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, December 15, 1993 TAG: 9312150110
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: GLOUCESTER POINT LENGTH: Medium
But that doesn't stop them from choosing one of the showroom's finest selections and driving it off the floor, complete with ownership papers and a driver's license.
Cobbleville Motors, which specializes in minivehicles ranging from sports cars to trucks, bills itself as the first car dealership for kids. Prices of the electric cars run between $90 and $1,650. The dealership also offers a go-cart for $35,000.
Every sale includes title and registration papers and a driver's license, complete with photograph, printed at the dealership's own "Department of Motor Vehicles" next to the showroom.
William L. and Ginger Douglass of Hayes own and operate the dealership in the Gloucester Point Shopping Center.
They got the idea seven years ago when their daughter Tracey, then 10, got a Cabbage Patch doll that came with personal ownership papers. Her brother Brian, then 8, was so taken by the paperwork that he asked for a doll, too.
Brian's father instead gave him a minicar, complete with official-looking title and registration papers.
Douglass, then a public relations consultant in Long Island, N.Y., began dreaming of a dealership for kids, with lots of nifty paperwork.
Five years ago, he described his dream to Xavier Roberts, creator of Cabbage Patch dolls.
Douglass said Roberts told him, "Nobody will be understanding 'til after you make it big. . . . Don't give up your dream."
Cobbleville Motors has the feel of an adult dealership, with floor models and a sales staff waiting to show each car's best features.
The Douglasses decided against allowing dickering for prices because they didn't want to make buyers angry.
William Douglass said plans include a used-car department, with prices based on a "blue book" that he will write, plus a test-drive track in back.
The showroom has a Jeep, a monster truck, a semi-truck with trailer, three-wheel motorbikes, a couple of Chevy BelAirs, some sports cars, a NASCAR race car and an Indy-style race car - all kid-sized.
Harvey J. Turner, chief operating officer for Action Performance Companies in Tempe, Ariz., said he believes Cobbleville Motors is the first dealership for children. His company is one of the leading manufacturers of minicars for kids.
Douglass hopes to establish Cobbleville Motors franchises around the country.
Memo: shorter version ran in the Metro edition.