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09-07-2012 12:51 AM

Tim “Merciless” Mings has been driving, collecting and restoring 600cc Hondas since he could drive. Over the years, he’s amassed an astounding collection both*cars and parts and has become America’s go-to guy for*anything Honda*N600*and*Z600. Part of his collection includes the … Continue reading →

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Our local Pontiac/GMC Dealer was the first "HONDA" car Dealer here in Clearwater. Can you imagine Pontiac/GMC Truck salesmen - trying to sell these tiny little Honda? It was a Joke!!

After holding the Franchise for a few years - I can't remember exactly how many - the Pontiac Dealer gave up... He sold the Honda Franchise including all Spare Parts Inventory to another guy for a song and wrote off the huge loss. That guy had owned a Used Car Lot - which specialized in selling used MG's. & Triumph's. He had struggled along for about 10 years doing that - plus working as his own mechanic.

The year after the new owner took the Franchise on - - - Honda came out with a GREAT little car for America and Sales Took OFF!! Within two years that previous struggling Used Car Dealer was building a big NEW DEALERSHIP for his HONDA franchise... Within four years he was rolling in the money.

He put a lot of the profits from the Honda Dealership in local Real Estate, plus bought himself a big power boat and new home etc. over the following three or four years.. How he had MONEY and was running with the local Big Dogs.

Then he started making "deals" with some of the City and County Commissioners. In effect, he paid them off for rezoning some of his property. Property that had previously been zoned for Single Dwelling Residential {single family home on at least 1/4 acre} - - was rezoned to High Density Residential {high rise Condo's}. His profits on his earlier Real Estate investments went up 10X!!

Not too long after that - he and some of the Commissioners - went to Jail for the Brib's etc. As a convicted Felon he lost his Automobile Dealership License, Lost his Honda Franchise - and spent most of any money he had left on Legal Fees... Still went to prison for a few years.

Oh - the Pontiac Dealer - well we know what happened to them.

Sometimes you WIN and sometimes you just screw yourself...

FWIW,

Carl B.