There’s a business I’ve driven by many times that has a real unique looking building. It’s called Doyle’s Automotive and I can’t tell if it’s an operational business, or just an empty store front. Well today we’re going to find out...to the MBIP moblie!
Okay, the vacation is over and we're back on the road in Peoria. Another day, another post!
Doyle's Automotive is in the Cottage District neighborhood, which is the neighborhood that houses our old friend the Tin Man. I keep meaning to go back there and revisit him, maybe we'll stop there next week.
Here's the building. Pretty cool, huh? I never see many cars outside of it and have always wondered if it's just the shell of a former business.
Quality Brake Installed Here. I guess like 1-800-Mattres, they leave of the last "S" for savings.
There's a door, let's see if we can get in here.
The door was indeed open and it looks like this place is an operational business.
Check out the little cars and trucks in the display case up here in the office area.
Here's the owner of Doyle's Automotive, Terry Doyle. He told me they've been in business here since 1974 and while at one time they employed up to 15 people, these days it's mainly himself and his son working there. He's a real nice guy and as we chatted I found out that he went to high school at Spalding with my Uncle Bob. Sorry about this, but now we have to cue up, "It's A Small World After All."
Terry agreed to give us a little tour of the place and show us some of the cars in here, let's go look around!
This is just one of several classic cars inside of here.
Here's one that Terry was working on before we barged in the place. Oh well, it gave him an excuse for a little brake...I mean break.
Wow, check out this vintage red Cadillac! It's like his own personal Wheels O' Time in here!
Here's a "Boris" inspired shot of the rear view mirror. Not quite as good as The Master, but hey, I'm trying over here!
Here's Terry with the body of a 1931 Packard he's restoring.
I told him about the Coletta family's Packard that we saw at Wheels O' Time when we visited and Terry said he knew Ralph Coletta and remembered that car. Very cool.
I'm wheely getting tired over here...oof! Sorry about that!
This car is under wraps, but Terry said he had a photo of a similar automobile up front in the office area.
And there it is, let's have a look at it.
Terry told me this photo was taken in 1956 and the car to the right is his 1950 Oldsmobile. He said the photo was taken on the way to Chicago, back in the day.
Check out this vintage Indianapolis 500 photo from 1930!
The little doo hickeys on the sides of this sign remind me of another nearby business in this neighborhood, Urban Artifacts.
Thanks to Terry Doyle for giving us a tour of his cool business. One of the things I love about doing this blog is meeting new people and discovering new places in Peoria and this was certainly one of those moments.
Since I was in the neighborhood, I thought we'd stop by the Costume Trunk and get a plastic chicken. It's just something I do when I'm in this neighborhood. I've got four in my collection and I think it's time for a fifth of chicken today!
There's MBIP pal, Steve Spain behind the counter.
As you can see, it's Halloween season in here and Steve said he's been very busy as this is Peoria's go-to place for masks and costumes.
I can tell he's been busy, he's all sold out of plastic chickens! Motherclucker!
So I settled for some fake cigarettes.
The purchase is complete, so I said goodbye to Steve and headed back to the MBIP Headquarters.
Smoke 'em if you got 'em, fellas! We'll see you all tomorrow!
Doyle’s Automotive
923 N Garfield Avenue
Peoria
309-673-1202
The Costume Trunk
710 West Main Street
Peoria
309-637-4234
Related Posts: Shop Hop, Hot Dog Wars and Three Creepy Mannequins.
Bonus Mystery Package!
There was a package waiting for me when I returned from New York. Actually it wasn’t that much of a mystery at all...
It’s the t-shirt I ordered from Jaws the Cabbie’s Printfection Store! I’ll wear it out to the bar tonight, it’s really a high quality shirt, you should order one too, there’s lots of them to choose from, check it out here!