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Peg Price | all galleries >> Galleries >> Historic Tucson > Paulin Motors
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4 March 2007 Peg Price

Paulin Motors

Broadway and Plumer

Now demolished, this was a Oldsmobile-Cadillac dealership. When I heard it was going to be torn down, I took a drive over to see it and found the buildings pretty gutted out.
Maybe someone knows the date it was built? I found something online about a Mr. Paulin which said he'd been in the auto sales business in Tucson since about 1948.


other sizes: small medium original auto
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Eric 11-Feb-2025 18:50
I worked at Paulin Cadillac Oldsmobile from 1979 to 1980 as a mechanic, then on and off as a mechanic and lot boy while attending U of A. I have memories, such as the Wienerschnitzel restaurant on the west side of the dealership. I ate way to much from that place, it was conveniently located. Bob was the big boss, I recall him grooming his son Peter and one of the daughters, I don't recall her name. They were not much older than I was.
JR 07-Feb-2025 19:53
Across the street from Paulin Cadillac was Selby Lincoln Mercury. I worked at Selby's back in the 70's. Paulin and Selby were great dealerships, just down the road a few blocks on Broadway was Holmes Tuttle Ford and Rollings Chrysler Imperial.
Guest 10-Jan-2022 02:11
Just came across an original 1957 Rocket 88, with the original ‘Paulin TUCSON’ emblem for sale. Google led me here, awesimw history.
Daniel OBrien 09-Apr-2021 17:39
I remember attending school with the owners two daughters (Dora & Terry) in the 1960's. The Paulin's house was in the same neighborhood where we lived. Their home was on Santo Domingo Circle.
Dennis W. Coon 07-Oct-2017 19:15
I have a copy of original electrical plans for the Paulin Motors Dealership. They are dated 12-7-56 with revisions made 2-23-57 so it would seem construction happened in 1957.
Architects were Ragnar C. Qvale and Cecil Moore. Qvale was from Los Angeles and is known for automotive dealerships. Qvale also designed O'Rielly Chevrolet 6160 E Broadway in Tucson which was built in about 1965(now remodeled beyond recognition). Cecil Moore was a Tucson architect and general contractor. Electrical engineering of Paulin Motors was by AE 'Gene' Magee.
Norm Lyle 29-Aug-2017 18:51
Hal Mekeel: Just noticed this now. Sorry for the delay. Neither my uncle, nor anyone in my family ever played the violin, to my knowledge. That's a mystery. The dealership loomed large in our family's legend. My uncle is still with us, but getting older. Not surprised he would have that card. Always a law and order guy. All the best.
Guest 19-Oct-2016 14:20
Bob Paulin is my grandfather. He is a great man and to this day will only drive a Cadillac.
Hal Mekeel 12-May-2011 23:08
Hi Norm,

I was looking in the case of a violin my wife bought for me, and found a card belonging to your Uncle Robert W. Paulin. It was from the Arizona Highway Patrol Assn. It says his dues were paid to 7/1/62. I'm curious how it ended up in Chapel Hill, NC. Did he actually play the violin?
Peg Price09-Feb-2011 01:14
Norm also told me that his uncle, Robert W. Paulin, owned this business from 1951-1984.
Norm Lyle 03-Feb-2011 23:04
This dealership was owned for almost 35 years by my uncle, Robert W. Paulin. I believe it was built c. 1951. It was gutted in a flash flood sometime in the first three years of its existence. Many Cadillacs and Oldsmobiles were sold here. It had a marvelous, lighted "star" sign on a tall stanchion outside.