Introduction
Edmund Berglund was operating a Ford dealership called Community Motors on Crescent Boulevard in Collingswood NJ in 1934. By the mid-1940s he had moved his business, then known as Berglund Ford, to the Admiral Wilson Boulevard at 17th Street in Camden NJ. Around 1955 he opened up a new building on that site, which became a Camden landmark for years to follow. Berglund Ford closed in the 1980s and the building was eventually razed.
Berglund Ford was one of the last dealerships to leave the Boulevard. The building was operated as a maintenance facility by the Trailways Bus corporation for a time. After Trailways went bankrupt, the building was razed. The Ford Motors engine business that was a part of the Berglund enterprise continued in East Camden, just off of Admiral Wilson Boulevard.
The site had been considered as a location for a building to replace the Pennsauken Mart, which is scheduled for demolition in 2005. These plans came to naught for a variety of reasons, and the site remains empty today.
The Berglund group also sold Renault and Simca on the Boulevard for a time.
Community Motors (1934)
Community Motors Ford, 1934. Looking south on Crescent Boulevard in the mid-1930s — Community Motors Ford can be seen at far left.
New Building Booklet (~1955)
Twelve-page booklet printed by Ed Berglund to introduce his new building at Admiral Wilson Boulevard and 17th Street, Camden NJ, circa 1955.
1962 Letterhead and Documents
Berglund Ford Letterhead, 1962.
Actual written quote on a 1962 Ford F-350 Chassis & Cab with Dump Body Truck, written to Francis J. Hufner of the Housing Authority of the City of Camden for Clement T. Branch Village.
Berglund Motor Co. Quotation for a 1962 Ford F350 Chassis and Cab
Berglund Motor Co. —
Berglund [FORD] MOTOR CO.
EMERSON 5-5110
[signs in the letterhead drawing of the dealership:] FORD Berglund; PARTS BERGLUND MOTOR CO. SERVICE; A-1 Guaranteed Used Cars and Trucks A-1; Berglund FORD USED CARS
ADMIRAL WILSON BLVD. AT 17TH STREET • CAMDEN 11, NEW JERSEY
April 13, 1962
Mr. Francis J. Hufner
City of Camden
Ninth Floor, City Hall
Camden 1, New Jersey
Dear Sir:
We are pleased to submit our quotation on the following Ford equipment.
One (1) 1962 Ford F350 Chassis and Cab, 6 Cyl. Engine
Four speed transmission
Heavy duty clutch
Oil Filter
Heater and defroster
Turn indicators
I.C.C. emergency flasher
Heavy duty and auxiliary rear springs
(7) 8 x 17.5 6 ply tires
Incl. spare and spare carrier
Daybrook 1½ yd. Dump Body
Rear mud flaps
Color - Green
Net Delivered Price with Tax Exemption Forms $2579.00
We wish to thank you for the opportunity of quoting and look forward to being of service to you.
Yours very truly,
BERGLUND MOTOR CO.
[signed] H. L. Van Sciver
H. L. Van Sciver
Sales Manager
HLVS:dr
“The House That Service Built”
Berglund Motor Co. Car Invoice No. 20783
Berglund Motor Co. invoice
BERGLUND MOTOR CO.
ADMIRAL WILSON BOULEVARD at 17th STREET
CAMDEN 11, NEW JERSEY
Phone: EMerson 5-5110
Car Invoice
No 20783
Sold to: Clement T. Branch Village
Street: Housing Authority of City of Camden
City: Camden 4, N.J. P.O. #139 REQ#154
Date: 6/19/62
Salesman: Bonelli ck
NEW USED: New. YEAR: 1962. MAKE: Ford F350. SERIES: J 132. BODY TYPE: Dump Truck. SERIAL No.: T6273 [typed above the line]; F35JE292977; Code: 32LF350F29. MOTOR No.: [blank]. KEY Nos.: FL004. CYL: 6. COLOR: Dark Green.
FACTORY AND OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT: RADIO; HEATER; TURN SIGNALS [printed form lines].
Four Speed Trans.
H.D. Clutch
Oil Filter
Turn Indicator & Emey Flasher
H.D. Aux Rear Springs
6 8x175 6 Ply Tires ( Spare & Carrier)
Day Brook 1 1/2 yd Dump Body
Rear Flaps
PRICE OF CAR OR TRUCK $3301 50
OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT: Less Federal Tax with Forms signed and executed (219 00)
TITLE AND LICENSE
TOTAL CASH DELIVERED PRICE $3082 50
TOTAL TIME PRICE $3082 50
SETTLEMENT [handwritten in blue ink, circled:] Pay → 2579 00
CASH DUE ON DELIVERY
[handwritten in pencil across the form:] approved for payment, Francis J. Hufner [?]
NEW CAR FACTORY WARRANTY: yes
MOTOR No.: Discount. ALLOWANCE $ 503.50 [503 50 in the amount column]
TOTAL CREDITS $3082 50
IMPORTANT. NOTIFY BERGLUND MOTOR CO. IMMEDIATELY IN THE EVENT OF ACCIDENT OR LOSS.
Reader Memory — Charles Rimby
I worked at Berglund Ford for from 1954 till 1976. When I started there we also had a cafeteria over the show room an employed four women to prepare and serve meals.
— Charles Rimby
Reader Memory — Joellyn Dorkin
Berglund Ford is a large part of the Dorkin family history—it was the place where my father made his first (and probably only) impulse purchase in his life.
It was 1961. We were driving an aqua and black Buick Special which was a real lemon. The new, sleek, bullet-shaped Thunderbirds had just come out. My father piled all four of us in the car and we went to Berglund Ford—just to look.
The salesman sized up Dad, and watched him ogling the T-bird. Sidled up to him and says, “You know, Dr. Dorkin, you should be driving something much better than that Buick. A Buick isn’t good enough for a doctor.” Put his arm around Dad’s shoulder. “Let me take a look at the Buick and see what I can give for it.”
Shortly thereafter, Dad was writing out a check for $4100 (he always said his hand was shaking—that was huge in those days!). We cleaned out the Buick—they quickly detailed the T-bird—and we drove right out through those big glass showroom doors.
It was one of my father’s very favorite memories. How wonderful to finally put a dealership name to what I kept seeing in my mind’s eye!
— Joellyn Dorkin, May 3, 2006
1961 Ford Thunderbird
Advertisements
Berglund Ford advertisements. The Berglund group also sold Renault and Simca on the Boulevard for a time. Berglund Ford, 1959 Yellow Pages Clipart.
Berglund Ford
These pictures speak for themselves of the finest place to buy in every way.
CAMDEN'S DEALER
ADMIRAL WILSON BLV'D & 17TH ST. — CAMDEN, N. J.
OPEN DAILY 8 A.M. TO 10 P.M. EMERSON 5-5110 CLOSED SUNDAYS
"THE HOUSE THAT GOOD SERVICE BUILT" SINCE 1932
Complete Selection of New & Used Cars & Trucks in Stock, at all Times
Dear Charlie, Ford Cars and Trucks Do A Better Job For You! I'm making special introductory Deals Right Now! Why Not Call Me Tonight. Don Maxwell (Formerly Community Buick)
"A BERGLUND BUY IS THE BEST BY FAR"
Jumbo Post Card
Mr. Charles C. Kotula, Jackson Rd., Birchwood Lakes, Medford, N. J.
Notes — 1966 Postcard
Berglund Ford — Postcard from 1966