Today, I am continuing my interview Mr. Eric Eberhardt, owner of one of the oldest automobile dealerships in the Lehigh Valley. This year, the landmark Egypt, Whitehall Township, business observed its 90th anniversary.

Both Eric and his twin brother, Errol, graduated from Lehigh County Community College, Eric in automotive technology, Errol in business administration. The young men took these skills to the family business and applied their training on a daily basis. Eric worked with the service department and Errol in sales.

Do my readers recall the gasoline shortage in the 1970s? It was a motorists nightmare! I asked Eric how the garage coped with the issue.

"We were still in high school and we pumped gas at the station," Eric said. "We sold Gulf products since the garage was founded by my grandfather in 1924."

They could only pump gasoline when Gulf filled the tanks.

"When people heard we had gas, they flocked to the station. They lined the streets, a line a half mile long," he said. "On that day, everyone, even strangers, were your friends. We had a $5-limit on gasoline. Today $5 wouldn't probably be enough to get some folks out of their garage!

"The phone rang constantly – the rotary ones," he said.

Gasoline was sold based on the vehicle's license plate number, some days gas was sold to odd-numbered vehicles and some days to even-numbered.

"The government felt this would cut down on the massive lineups," he said. "It may have helped, but not very much. There were many automobiles out there, there were just large numbers.

"On occasion, tempers flared, but most customers were appreciative to get a few gallons of gasoline. When the supply was about to run out we would place a placard on a car with the sobering message 'End of the Line.' You can imagine the frustration if you were next in line.

"I hope we'll never have to confront that problem in the future."

Eric's grandfather and father ran the business until 1984 when the business mantel was passed on to a new generation. Eric and brother Errol were a great team. Eric supervised service while Errol was selling new Plymouths and quality pre-owned cars.

Their grandfather and founder of the dealership, Theodore F., could be found at the garage on a daily basis, still greeting customers and renewing friendships in 1990 at age 89.

July 29, 2003 started as a clear, sunny day, but the calm was shattered with tragedy. Errol Eberhardt was going home with his motorcycle when an accident occurred. He was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital where he died Aug. 2, 2003.

Errol was the co-owner of Eberhardt Motors. A Whitehall-Coplay, Lehigh Carbon Community College graduate, he was a caring husband and community volunteer. He was a medical technician for Northern Valley Ambulance Corp and EMT and driver for Medic 75.

Mr. Eberhardt had been married to the former Tracy Hunsicker for 18 years and was proud of sons Ryan and Alex.

This writer attended the viewing at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Egypt. It was one of the largest viewings in the history of the small community. There was a great outpouring of sympathy and sorrow.

One viewer said to me, "I have such respect for Errol and the Eberhardts, they could even sell me a wagon."

On a personal note, our family has purchased vehicles from every Eberhardt starting with founder Theodore F., Theodore G., Errol and Eric.

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I will be concluding the Eberhardt series in two weeks, please join me!