Perry Brothers acquire Ford dealership
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Robert Perry, left, accepts the keys from Danny Andrews as the 104-year-old Ford dealership changes hands. As the signage says, the dealership is now Perry Brothers Ford after receiving approval of Ford Motor Co.
A longtime Tylertown business has been sold.
Andrews Ford, which dates back to Honea Motor Co., recently changed hands with the Ford dealership being acquired by Perry Brothers Ford.
The Perrys are no stranger to the automobile business. The family has operated a pre-owned dealership for a number of years with a reputation for value and customer satisfaction, supplying service, as well.
Perry earlier partnered with Danny Andrews, the owner of Andrews Ford, and recently acquired the local Ford dealership from Danny and his wife, Tracy, Andrews, with the approval of Ford Motor Co.
Today, operating as Perry Brothers Ford, the company retains the title of “Mississippi’s Oldest Ford Dealer” as it is operating under the original charter granted to Chris Honea in 1916 when Honea’s Garage began selling Ford automobiles in Tylertown. After the death of Chris Honea, both the dealership and charter passed to Honea’s brother, Clark Honea.
Ansel Andrews Jr. and W. I. “Boots” Browne purchased the Ford dealership from the Honea family, operating as Andrews-Browne Ford into the 1980s, when Browne sold his portion to Andrews and the company became known simply as Andrews Ford.
Ansel Andrews Jr. spent practically all his adult life in the automobile business starting out with Honea Motor Co., where his father, A.L. Andrews Sr., worked, about the time it moved from its downtown location in a building between The Tylertown Times and the Avenue Theatre, a few blocks east, to what was then the edge of the town’s business district, in 1950. Ansel Andrews Jr. recalled the opening of the new building as Chris Honea engaged WWL Radio, New Orleans, and the personnel and orchestra of the station’s popular morning show, “The Dawnbusters,” to perform in the rear shop area of the building. Andrews recalled the opening of the building as a huge local event that attracted a big crowd when it opened, featuring the first new redesigns of the postwar era, which, until 1949-50, had been updates of the pre-war models, as commercial auto production had been suspended during the World War II years.
Honea Motor Co. remained in the building until Andrews and Browne purchased the dealership, constructed a new building and moved to its present location, across Magee’s Creek on Hwy. 198 East.
Throughout the entire period of its existence, the dealership has operated continuously under the original charter granted to Chris Honea by Ford Motor Co. in 1916.
As Perry Brothers Motors the dealership retains the title as the state’s oldest Ford dealer, and at over 100 years old, is one of about 20 of the oldest Ford dealerships in the country.
Like his father and grandfather, Danny Andrews spent his entire adult life in the auto business. While he is retired and pursuing his farming interest, wife Tracy still works as the office manager at Perry Brothers.
Robert Perry says Perry Brothers Ford continues the legacy of the oldest Ford Dealership in Mississippi while maintaining a new level of professionalism.
“Both new and used vehicles are available, and the Perry Brothers sales team is capable of providing you and your family the car or truck you want,” Perry said.
Their mission is providing drivers in the Tylertown area with a vast selection of new and used vehicles, plus exceptional car care and customer service.
“Not only will you find new Ford models, there is a great stock of used cars, trucks and SUVs in inventory, along with competitive pricing,” said Perry.
The dealership is open weekdays 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; and closed Sunday.
