During the 50th anniversary celebration of Moore Motor Sales on Thursday, Brad Moore, left, announced the creation of the Bob Moore Memorial Scholarship, which will be administered by the Tuscola County Community Foundation. The foundation’s director, Ken Micklash, is at right. The scholarship is to help youth who are interested in an automotive career.
By Mary Drier
Staff Writer
CARO — During the 50th anniversary celebration of Moore Motor Sales, it was announced the legacy of the late Robert “Bob” Moore’s love of cars will continue with a scholarship to help youth who are interested in an automotive career.
During the anniversary open house Thursday, it was explained some of the money for the newly created Bob Moore Memorial Scholarship came from the sale of a limited edition 50th Anniversary Ford Mustang to Dr. Dennis Spillane, D.D.S., and donations of others.
Moore ordered a 50th Anniversary Ford Mustang for himself, but he never had the opportunity to drive it or celebrate his company’s five decades in business this year, before he died in December 2014.
“Dad was really looking forward to celebrating the company’s 50th anniversary. He and mom wanted to have a big party like dealerships used to have back in the ‘glory days’ when a new car unveiling was a gala event,” said Brad Moore, Bob’s son, who now operates the family’s dealership at 1725 W. Caro Rd.
Years ago when a new line of cars came out, dealerships hosted a gala event to literally pull a veil off a vehicle that was kept shrouded until it was ready to be showcased.
“Over the last 30 years, rolling out a new line of cars isn’t a big deal anymore,” said Moore. “Mom and dad thought bringing back an event like that would be a way to celebrate our 50th anniversary and to show off this special Mustang.”
According to Moore, Spillane heard about the dealership receiving one of the limited editions. He expressed interest in buying it, but the senior Moore had wanted it for himself.
“The car came in a week before dad passed away. The only time it was driven was during his funeral. After dad passed, we decided to offer the car to Dennis and use the money from its sale to help fund the scholarship that was created to honor my dad,” Moore said.
According to Moore, the scholarship was made possible by Lois Moore, Bob’s wife of nearly 60 years, Moore Motor Sales, plus an additional generous gift from Spillane and several others who made donations.
“This fund will begin granting scholarships for students going into the automotive field beginning in the spring of 2016,” said Tuscola County Community Foundation Director Ken Micklash. “It will be either for $1,000 or two $500 scholarships if there are two selected.”
The keys to the Mustang were given to Spillane during the open house.
“I am honored for them letting me buy that car and using the money to start a scholarship to honor Bob Moore. The scholarship is to honor a man who was a good citizen and straight shooter who loved his community. It’s a fitting tribute to a good man and a good cause,” said Spillane, who owns Dental Health Care in Caro and North Branch with his brother Shawn.
“My brother and I have worked in this community for 30 years. I appreciate being able to buy this car (and) that the money will go back to support the community, to honor Bob.”
The Ford Mustang debuted in 1964, and only 1,964 copies of the 2015 anniversary Mustang were made. The anniversary car is the only way to get a 2015 Mustang with both the Performance pack and a six-speed automatic transmission, and all of the other luxuries that come with it.
“I’m not going to drive it. I’m keeping the cover on it. When it’s done being shown, I’m going to put it way … it is that much of a collector’s item, and means that much to me,” Spillane said.
Besides being an engineering marvel, the 2015 Mustang could also be considered a work of art with its extra chrome details and cashmere. There is cashmere stitching on the steering wheel, as well as cashmere instrument panel and other surfaces. The seats are two-tone cashmere and leather, the owner’s manual is inside a leather folio and the floor mats have cashmere stitching suede binding.
“The open house and selling the car dad wanted … is bittersweet, but it is something that will carry on to provide scholarships to those who go into the auto industry … design, engineering, technology,” Moore said.
The Tuscola County Foundation will administer the endowment.
During the open house, the Tuscola County Advertiser provided copy of the Oct. 6, 1966 special supplement that showcased the grand opening of the dealership when it relocated west of town from the original location where Muffler Man now stands.
Bob Moore, who was a second generation car dealership owner, went into business with Bill Burton in September 1965. A few months later, the two partners who created Burton-Moore Ford built a new dealership and operated the Ford – Lincoln – Chrysler – Dodge – Jeep – Ram dealership in Caro from September 1965 to August 1970. In 1970, Moore bought out Burton’s interest in the company.