Our History
Our HistoryFour generations. One family business.
It started with three brothers and two car lines in 1919. Here is how we became the Moore Automotive Team.
- 1919Founded as Short Brothers Motor Company
- 1920Sold the first enclosed automobile in Western Kentucky
- 4Generations of one family
- 11Brands in Owensboro and Hartford today
Short Brothers Motor Company
Three brothers open a dealership just as the automobile is taking off.
1919
In August, brothers Percy, Kelly and Harry Short found Short Brothers Motor Company. Their first contracts are to sell Scripps-Booth and Stevens Salient-Six automobiles.
1920
Less than a year in, the brothers sign with Chevrolet Motor Company. Their first Chevy arrives on February 2 and is later sold to the minister of Settle Memorial Methodist Church. It is the first enclosed automobile sold in Western Kentucky. The brothers sell 24 new vehicles that year.
1934
Fifteen years in, sales have grown to 306 new and 438 used vehicles a year. Around this time, Percy Short’s son, Don P. Moore Sr., joins the business.
1954
Short Brothers adds Cadillac to its lineup.
The Don Moore name
A new name, a new generation and a knack for memorable advertising.
1959
Don Moore Jr. joins the family business after earning his degree from the University of Kentucky.
1961
Don Moore Sr. becomes president of Short Brothers Motor Company after the passing of his father, Percy Short.
1969
Don Moore Sr. passes away from cancer. Around this time the company becomes the Dealer of Record for General Motors, and GM suggests a new name for the dealership.
1970
The dealership officially becomes Don Moore Chevrolet – Cadillac. On January 19, Don Moore Jr. makes his television debut in a 10-second ad:
“At Don Moore Chevrolet we have the hottest deals around. Come on down and help cool us off.”Don Moore Jr., January 19, 1970
That spot kicked off the creative advertising the Don Moore name was known for through the seventies.
1982
Don Moore III joins the business in May after graduating from the University of Kentucky.
1983
In July, Don Moore III is named General Manager. His father, Don Moore Jr., leaves the automotive business to devote his time to farming.
Growing the group
Under Don Moore III, one dealership becomes a family of them.
1986
Don Moore III purchases Sturgeon Pontiac – Nissan from the Charlie Sturgeon family. It becomes Riverview Pontiac – Nissan.
1992
A downtown Mitsubishi location joins the group.
1993
Van Slyke Toyota is purchased from the Don Van Slyke family, bringing a new location on Frederica Street. Riverview moves to the property and the AutoMall is established.
1996
In June, the group purchases Feldhaus Oldsmobile-Honda. Honda moves to the AutoMall and Oldsmobile relocates downtown. The Pontiac franchise is sold to comply with a dealership reorganization required by GM.
2000
Thompson Ford-Mercury-Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep in Hartford, Kentucky joins the group.
2005
The group purchases the Tapp Motor property on South Frederica Street.
2006
Hyundai joins the lineup and opens on the remodeled Tapp property.
Our ads through the years
Creative advertising has been part of who we are since that first TV spot in 1970.
The Moore Automotive Team today
Today, John Moore manages the daily operations of the Moore Automotive Team. We sell over 5,500 new and pre-owned vehicles a year, serve over 50,000 people annually and employ a team of nearly 200.
- Toyota
- Honda
- Nissan
- Hyundai
- Chevrolet
- GMC
- Ford
- Chrysler
- Dodge
- Jeep
- Ram
Thank you to everyone who has been part of our history so far, and to everyone who will be part of our future. We couldn’t keep serving the tri-state area without you.
Be part of the next chapter
Shop our inventory online or reach out. We would love to help.