I remember that car as a little girl and often wondered; how in the world did that car end up on that pole?  It is one of the many monuments in Hanover County that will or have disappeared.  I can still remember the Rebel Inn, also.  What will disappear next, Studley Store.  I pray not.  I believe it is a historical landmark, or, at least it should be.

The Crosley on the pole now is the second one placed there. Mr Lawharn used to say that there was no ads he could pay for that brought in as much business because everyone that saw it remembered it. He maintained it when he ran the business and had it painted several times by a friend he had that did it from a ladder with a brush. I presently own a CD wagn just like it that still runs very well.As far as the repair and replacement of the car there are still several places to get parts and they are sound cars. Crosley was the first american car to have overhead valves, disc brakes , and the very first american 2 seater sports car (not the Corvette ) It is a real shame to remove a monument to inovation because of the lack of knowledge of the availability of repair parts. There are hundreds of these cars still in existance and could be replaced by one of those.

Jo Ostergren Yates .... Hi, I am the publisher of Still Runnin Magazine. We along with a few other history loving gearheads have a great interest in saving the “Little Car on the Pole” which as of to date is looking very positive.
We are a local business that produces a free online EZINE about vintage cars.

If you would please contact me at we would love to speak to you in greater depth about the car.
Thank You in advance!
Lea, publisher of
http://www.stillrunnin.com

I remember finally making it out of our neighberhood after Hurricane Isabel.  So many familiar landmarks were gone - blown away.  It was so reassuring to see the little car still stalwartly atop its pole.  I shrugged and thought ‘guess it wasn’t that bad after all.‘  I won’t support businesses that tear down Hanover’s quirky landmarks.

I remember seeing that car when we first moved to Richmond in the 60’s. I would be riding with my dad and I always looked for the “car up in the air”. There also was a tractor along the same route up on a builing with lights that made the tracks look like they were moving (it’s gone). Now my kids ride by the car with me several days a week and they too think its very cool. It will be a great loss if/when the car is taken down!

AND LISA WOULDN’T EVEN BELIEVE THE OTHER CHANGES AROUND HANOVER, AND ESPECIALLY THE MECHANICSVILLE AREA IF SHE HASN’T BEEN BACK HERE FOR A FEW YEARS!!  WHAT WILL GO NEXT?? WEST STORE??  NOT IN MY LIFETIME IF I HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT!!

On behalf of the Crosley 301 pole car, located in Mechanicsville, VA.,
Still Runnin Magazine, an automotive publication based in Mechanicsville,
would like to make an official announcement to the residents of
Hanover County, surrounding neighbors and interested parties. 
We at Still Runnin Magazine are acting as home base for the Crosley 301 pole car rescue effort.

There has been much internet discussion by many groups expressing their concern after “the Mechanicsville Local” newspaper released an editorial on January 7th, 2009 titled, “301 Corridor Work Moves Ahead”. The editorial brought both awareness and attention to the community with the statement that read; “the “little car on the pole on U.S. 301 will be coming down as progress moves forward on the corridor.“

We have been and continue to be in close communication with the owners of Atlee Auto Service. It is true that the Crosley on the 301 pole has been ruled to come down, but not by the choice of the property owners. Understand that it is solely Hanover County officials who have chosen the fate of the 301 pole car.

Still Runnin Magazine is making a public plea to all concerned individuals to assemble together as one unit in order to be effective as an organized group. The mission is to reverse the county’s decision to take down the pole car.

Call this project: the “Little Car That Should”. Yes, the “Little Car That Should” stay right where it has been for all these years on the 301 corridor in Mechanicsville, VA. as a piece of the community’s history.

There have been numerous offerings from individuals and groups to save the Crosley. With all of our efforts brought together working as one powerful force, we can win the battle that lies ahead to save the Crosley.

If you are interested in banning together to help our effort, please register on Still Runnin Magazine’s Forum called the “Runnin Board” and ban together or
e-mail me at for more information and updates.

“The Little Car that Should” ..... STAY Needs volunteers to raise public awareness of its fate ... Sign Boards, Petitions and Public Attendance and the like. Please help us with project.

Respectfully,
CEO and Publisher of
Still Runnin Magazine
http://www.stillrunnin.com

The Richmond area is famous for tearing down recent history to erect new crap that is supposed to resemble ancient history. I for one have been trying to raise interest in this action for some time. Roadside America has been lost to big chains and it needs to stop! The little car represents much more than a by gone era; history, economy, ecology, recycling, down sizing, great gas mileage, American know how, entrepreneurship at its best just to mention a few things that come to mind. I for one feel it would be a shame to let such a local treasure be destroyed for so called progress! I’m on board and will rally to the cause! Lets help Still Runnin save whats left of the good old days! There is a great story that has yet to be written down that goes along with the little car. I’m trying to piece it together, so send in your memories and tid bits to , lets make it happen!

That car is part of Mechanicsville history and should remain where it is. It will be sorely missed if it is taken down. Much like the small plane that was part of the roof at a muffler shop in “Beautiful Downtown Short Pump”. It is part of local history and needs to remain in its spot. Keeping a watchful eye over 301. Yet I fear the worst for out little town. What will happen to land at West Nursery now that it has closed? More banks and gas stations? Can’t have too many of them can we. I fear the area is turning in to its own little “Short Pump” and I don’t like it.

correction

I posted my email address incorrectly please note it is:

http://www.stillrunnin.com

Email correction

Email contact correction please not there was a l missing from the address .. the correct contact is:

I would like to thank ALL those that have come forward as of to date.

PLEASE be sure to email me at

so we are all working in the same forward motion.

Lea Dunham, publisher of Still Runnin Magazine, Join the cause TODAY!

SAVE THE LITTLE CAR. WHAT WAS THE FIRST CAR