68th Anniversary: Swope Family of Dealerships

Swope Family of Dealerships
1100 N. Dixie Ave
Elizabethtown, KY 42701
(270) 370-1111
www.swope.com

Swope Family of Dealerships

It was 1952 when two World War II veterans from Ohio moved to Kentucky and opened their first automobile dealerships. With financial help from their father, Sam and Bill Swope opened in Elizabethtown and Winchester. Both stores sold Dodge, Plymouth and Desotos and were typical of early 50’s dealerships. They had little or no showroom and gas pumps out front. In the early 60’s, they expanded into Louisville where Sam moved his family while Bill took up operations in Elizabethtown. From these humble beginnings, the Swope’s grew into the largest automobile retailers in the state by earning their customer’s loyalty with exceptional service and value.

Throughout their lives, Bill and Sam built numerous successful dealerships; but they never forgot how they started or the values they learned from their parents. They believed in helping others and understood their responsibility to their associates and the communities around their stores. The Swope family is known for its philanthropy and they foster a culture of giving back by all their associates. Bill Swope often told his new hires, “If you work with us, I know you’ll do well; but I also hope you’ll do good.” In the last 40 years of his life, Bill collected over 70 vintage and classic cars and established the Swope’s Cars of Yesteryear Museum. It remains his gift to the community with free admission to all.

Left to right; Susan Swope Schmidt, Carl Swope and Jennifer Swope Scarbrough. Susan and Jennifer are the third generation in the business. Photo: Toyota Today

Swope’s Cars of Yesteryear Museum

Today, the second and third generations of Swope’s lead the family businesses with the same commitment to exceptional service and value, while continuing to give back. Some of the Louisville stores have been sold, but the family remains firmly planted in Elizabethtown where it all began. There the Swope Family of Dealerships represents Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM, Toyota, Ford, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Nissan and Genesis. Together with Toyota of Louisville, the Swope’s remain committed to their associates, customers and community.

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