About Us

SPECK MOTORS HISTORY

Speck Family Dealerships has a long family history that dates back to 1912, starting with C. Speck Motors, Inc. Clayton Speck and his brother-in-law moved with their families from Illinois to Sunnyside, Washington, in the early 1900's. Clayton's first business endeavor was operating a café. He also did painting. In 1912, Clayton and his brother-in-law founded the Speck-Rowland Garage with Buick as the car franchise. The Chevrolet division was added in 1917. In 1920 Clayton bought out his brother-in-law. During the early years, it was not uncommon for customers to trade items such as guns or rings as down payments on cars. Old financial statements list cows, diamond rings, and other items among dealership assets. A new dealership facility was built on the corner of Sixth and Franklin during the height of the Great Depression. With the economy being what it was, many skeptics thought Clayton had made a huge mistake. During World War II, Speck's service facility was converted to a machine shop manufacturing parts for the Military. Not until late 1945 and early 1946 were they able to get new cars again and those were sold on a lottery basis to their customers. Clayton passed away in 1953. He was remembered for his generosity over the years to employees, customers, and even people he did not know. Clayton's grandson, James C. Speck, received a letter in the early 1980's from an elderly woman who was living in the Seattle area. She wanted the Speck family to know that Clayton Speck had for many years been a huge financial supporter of an orphanage she managed. No one in the family ever knew of his involvement before her letter. There are countless stories of the great character of Clayton Speck. In 1950, James R. Speck became the Dealer Principal of C. Speck Motors, Inc. In those days, distributors located in Seattle and Portland wholesaled Buick's and Chevrolet's to the dealers. Most vehicles had to be driven to Sunnyside for retail. It wasn't until the early 1950's that rail cars were used to ship the vehicles to the city. However, it was the responsibility of the dealership employees to unload the cars at the rail sidings. In 1975, James C. Speck became the third generation to own C. Speck Motors, Inc. Two years later, his father, James R., passed away. The Nissan franchise was added in 1985 and a separate showroom was built at the south end of the Sixth and Franklin location. James C. Speck was selected to serve on General Motors "Dealer Advisory Board" in 1985. During the late 70's and 80's business flourished and plans were made for a larger facility. Kathryn "Katy" Speck, daughter of James C. Speck, join her father in the auto business in 1994. In 1996 she married John Paul "JP" Moore. Katy Moore became Dealer Principal of C. Speck Motors, Inc. in 1998, making her the fourth generation of Speck's in the auto business. Under Katy's direction, the dealership moved from it downtown location to a 60,000 square foot facility with 18 acres of property by I-82. The new facility is one of the largest and most modern in the area.

SPECK HYUNDAI OF TRI-CITIES HISTORY

Speck Hyundai interior photos with a Hyundai Sonata Hybrid As the years have progressed, the Moore's purchased another dealership in Pasco, WA. It began as a used car operation in 2002. They then added the Hyundai franchise to that location in 2003. Speck Hyundai of Tri-Cities is operated by J.P. Moore and Katy Moore runs the Sunnyside operation on a day to day basis. The interior of Speck Hyundai was remodeled in 2015 to a more modern and clean aesthetic. In Spring 2022, Speck Hyundai will move to its brand new location off Clearwater in Kennewick.

SPECK CHEVROLET BUICK OF PROSSER HISTORY

In June of 2008 Jeff Hall chose to continue the tradition of his family owned business by selling his Chevrolet-Buick dealership to the Moore's. The history of the Hall family is similar to the Speck family. In 1961, Wally and Wilfred Hall formed Hall Chevrolet-Buick in Prosser. In the early 1980's Jeff and Joe Hall, sons of Wally Hall, were introduced into the family business. When Wally Hall retired in 1997, Jeff Hall purchased the dealership. During Jeff's leadership of the family business, Hall Chevrolet-Buick has won many achievements and awards including 1983 Washington State Dealer of the Year and the 1998 and 1999 Chevrolet Genuine Leader Award. In early 2020 the dealership officially changed its name to "Speck Chevrolet Buick of Prosser".

SPECK CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM HISTORY

In the fall of 2018, Speck Family Dealerships added a new dealership to the family owned business along with four new franchises! Mid-Valley Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in Grandview is now Speck Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram. In November of 2019 we moved Speck Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram to our brand new facility at 125 E. Allen Road, Sunnyside, Washington, 98944. Stop by today and enjoy all the amenities a state-of-the-art facility has to offer!

SPECK BUICK GMC OF TRI-CITIES HISTORY

In January 2019, the Moore's expanded Speck Family Dealerships once again by acquiring Speck Buick GMC (formally Desert Buick GMC) in Kennewick, Washington! In late 2021, Speck Buick GMC moved into a brand facility off Sandifur Pkwy in West Pasco. Customer service is our top priority and we can't wait to serve the Buick GMC community in the Tri-Cities. We're excited for this next chapter in Speck History!