CALN–As the last car was repaired, during his final day of work, former Chrysler Plymouth auto dealer, and auto repair and body shop owner, Thomas D. Lambert, Sr., prepared for retirement.
Following in his late father Douglas J. Lambert Sr’s footsteps, who opened the business, Lambert’s Garage Body Shop And Auto Beauty Parlor, on Strode Avenue in 1942, the sound of hissing air, filling tires and mechanics working, at the family business for 83 years, is now silent.
Lambert’s career began in 1967, following his university graduation from Morgan State as a business major, and as one of the school’s football players. Lambert was then recruited for the management program at Girard Bank. Fresh off his three-year experience working for Girard Bank in Philadelphia, he, along with his father, were ready to take on the business world together.
Lambert, 81, and his father were the first African Americans in the State of Pennsylvania to own a Chrysler Plymouth dealership, located along Lincoln Hwy, in Coatesville, from 1970 to 1992.
The West Chester resident said during an interview, from his mostly empty office and shop, on Friday, that the first two years of business from 1970 to 1972 were made difficult from the racism and prejudice they faced.
“The culture of the business world had been designed for us to fail,” Lambert said, “I was disappointed.
“The corporations did not provide us the loans for capital for cars and building improvements as they did the non-African American dealerships.”
Lambert was able to sell new cars, but their customers were unable to obtain loans. They financed used car sales themselves.
“If you can’t sell cars and supply financing, you’re done,” he said. “Everyone needs a car, especially in this area.”
Qualified new car customers could drive another 12 miles down the road to another Chrysler dealership and buy a car and get financing when they could not at Lambert’s.
Finally, Lambert protested to the higher brass in Detroit and the problem was resolved. “We kept at it, finally we made it,” he said. “We managed to survive thanks to our loyal customers.”
In 1990, the Chrysler Corporation honored the Lambert Chrysler Plymouth Dealership with an exemplary service award. Over the years, they were the recipients of many honors.
They made it through ups and downs, from difficult times during the Carter years with high inflation and gas prices and through the Covid19 pandemic.
Lambert talked about the changes he’d witnessed in automobiles in his lifetime.
“Now cars run for 200,000 and 300,000 miles and the electronics are overwhelming,” he said. “Everything lasts longer in a car.”
Lambert will miss the relationships he built with customers, many who became friends. He will also miss the excitement of solving problems people have with their cars.
When asked what he won’t miss, Lambert said, “The very difficult fight to get good people to work for you and the attitude of how some people react to you as an African American business owner.”
Lambert’s retirement is the end of an era for Coatesville. His father was a kind and firm man, according to his son.
Douglas J. Lambert Sr. was a Coatesville Hospital Board member, a member of the Coatesville Township Building Commission, the first Black Coatesville Rotarian, a Coatesville Country Club member and Board Chairman at the Atkinson Hospital.
Diane Toaltoan has been servicing her vehicles, along with her husband and son, with both father and son Lambert for 35 years. She was his last customer.
He has a great work ethic and is amazing for our community,” Toaltoan said. “And he’s honest and a good friend to his customers.
“We appreciate that.”
Daughter Donna Lambert told about one long-time customer who brought in cookies, with a tear in her eye, after learning about Lambert’s last day.
The customer said she was happy that Lambert was able to retire and thanked him for his service.
Lambert graduated from Scott High School and Morgan State University in Baltimore.
The Eagles fan will spend more time with his family, including his wife, children, grandchildren, and his only great grandchild Silver Rae.
He has always wanted to travel to Tahiti, and is headed there to vacation with his wife of 23 years, West Chester Mayor Lillian DeBaptiste.
“When you own a family business, many people don’t see the sacrifices that the owner and the family experience to ensure the success of the business,” DeBaptiste said. “The nonstop work and worry, they don’t see that.
“I am proud of my husband. We are all proud of him.”
Donna: “I believe my father has been a role model of how to move in the world, successfully adjust to challenges, build relationships and help others. He has been a role model for everyone in the community and for African Americans in business. It’s part of his legacy.”
His son Thomas Lambert, Jr commented, “My father’s retirement is well deserved! When I was younger, in the summers, I worked alongside him. I am so proud to be part of his journey. He always shares his experiences and knowledge. I will miss stopping by the shop.”
His daughter Alicia shared that having the opportunity to work with her father over the years allowed her to see and learn about operating your own business, of being an entrepreneur.
“I’ve watched my father build great relationships with his customers, other business owners and vendors,” she said. “I’ve seen my father extend credit and set up an account for monthly payments to help individuals who encountered financial hardship but needed a car or repairs just to continue to get to work.
“This is something a lot of businesses no longer offer. Many of my father’s customers and family would just stop by to say hello, which I think speaks volumes of him as a person, as a businessman.”
Source: Berkshire mont
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