THEN AND NOW — R.C. “Buck” Mitchell and David Choate pause for a photo outside Choate Motor Company. In the photo at left, Wade Choate, company founder and David’s father, stands outside a new Ford during a car show in the mid 1950s.

Choate Motor Company celebrates anniversary

In the early 1940’s, the country was in the midst of World War II and Wade Choate, like so many other men serving in the war, tried to find a way to financially support his family. Stationed at the Air Force base in Columbia, S.C., Choate came home some weekends to sell the car parts in a Belk’s store on Main Street.

His son, David, explained how that enterprise led to the opening of Choate Motor Company.

“You couldn’t buy a complete car during World War II. Everything was being used for the military, but you could buy parts. He’d come home on weekends and had a deal worked out with Ford. At the end of that time, before the war was over, he applied for a Ford franchise. In March 1945, they granted a franchise to Choate Motor.”

The franchise, that officially began on March 15, 1945 ended about 56 years later on Aug. 25, 2001. Choate noted that it was the decision of the Sparta company to end the franchise. Even though it no longer offers new cars, the dealership lives on, servicing and selling used autos. It also still offers new car parts for Ford vehicles.

The Early Years

R.C. “Buck” Mitchell has been working at Choate Motor Company since 1950. He is now an equal business partner with Choate.

“For 60 years, the business has been providing cars, trucks and automobile repair service for the people of Alleghany County and surrounding areas,” he said.

Mitchell said he can recall a time when a lot of farmers were converting from horse-drawn equipment to motorized tractors.

“Back when we were in the trading business, we would trade for horses, meals, guns, guitars,” he said. “In order to provide them (the farmers) new equipment, they had to have a down payment and they would trade their horses to make the down payment.”

Mitchell also noted that Choate Motor Company was in the tractor and implement business from 1953 until 1978. During this time, they sold plows, hay rakes, bush hogs, lawn tractors and all kinds of farm equipment.

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