Memoires of a Mopar Parts Advisor

David Bryant started his career at Arena Dodge in 1989. His official title back then was Delivery Driver. He made $4.40/hour. Many of his parts delivery clients back then, are his clients today. It was common for him to deliver Mopar parts to Grismer Tire, Labosky Automotive and Carl's Body Shop. Dave went to Trotwood Madison High School and graduated two years after our Parts Manager, Tom Fulk. They've known each other for more than 35 years. In 1994 he was promoted to Freight Clerk for Harmon Cadillac.(See, Larry Harmon owned several dealerships back in the 80s: Harmon Cadillac, Harmon's Arena Dodge, Harmon Lincoln - Mercury and Harmon Honda.) This new position was a promotion for Dave. His first vehicle was a 1971 Pontiac T37. He purchased his first Dodge in 1974...the Dodge Dart. He has fond memories of Larry Harmon, who treated his employees like extended family. In 1996 he was again promoted and moved back to Arena Dodge as a Parts Advisor.

Dave has some very cool memories from working in the automobile industry: In the Mid-80's Chrysler released the Reliant (or K-Car) to appeal to a larger group of people and to make transportation more affordable. This created a revolution and saved Chrysler from Bankrupcy. Then in the 90's came the mini-van. The perfect combination of features for an American Family. Dave also remembers when everything was processed on paper. He came into the industry when the "squak box" was the main form of communication between the parts staff and the mechanics.

Each mechanic had his/her own device that would send a signal to the parts department. Sometimes there would be several requests at one time. When part was needed it had to be ordered manually. Now the online database is updated each time a part is needed and will order parts automatically based on current demand. The system is called Automatic Replenishing Stock Order. Many other system are now run with computers. Dave remembers when cars become computerized. It changed how the driver could manipulate the vehicle, "it's hard to get a car to spin out anymore. You have to turn all that off."

They used to use microfiche to organize parts, now every part (wiper blades, oil filters, name plates, door handles, brakes, etc.) is in the database. There are over 50,000 parts and 200,000 part numbers in the system. When certain Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge or Ram cars/trucks discontinue Dave can get similar parts by ordering based on the body style of the vehicle, i.e. the Dodge Magnum, the Chrysler 300 and the Dodge Charger are all LX body style. Chrysler created the virtual assembly line back before the turn of the centry, which enabled the building cars virtually way before they started building them physically. This reduced recall issues and made the physical assembly line much more accurate and fast. Diamler was very interested in this technology...hence the merger.

 

So back to Dayton. The "Arena" theme of the dealership came from the location across the street from Hara Arena. Back in the day, Dave went to Journey, Van Halen, ZZ Top, Stix, Alice Cooper, Jethro Tull, Aerosmith, The Dooby Brothers...he kept going but I couldn't write that fast! Hara is definitely a nostalgic place in Dayton, built by the Wompler Brothers and still being operated by their families.

 

A big thank you to Dave for taking time to chat about his time at Golling's! His story was fascinating. I didn't realize how many changes the car industry had seen in the past 20 years. From computerized motors to reduced prices. Many strides have been made. What's in the future? More hybrids, more electric motors, higher mpg!