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Don Boyd | all galleries >> Memories of Old Hialeah, Old Miami and Old South Florida Photo Galleries - largest non-Facebook collection on the internet >> Miami Area CARS, Car Clubs, Car Rental Agencies, Car Dealers, Drag Racing, Auto Shows, Speedways - click on image to view > 1960 - Johnnie & Mack Ad featuring Rita Gruber, Ivan Feller and Gail Fisher plus forgotten name fellow
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1960 Courtesy of George W. Young

1960 - Johnnie & Mack Ad featuring Rita Gruber, Ivan Feller and Gail Fisher plus forgotten name fellow

Miami, Florida


"Johnnie & Mack by the railroad track, the world's largest and that's a fact!" Their address at the time was 74 NE 20 Street so those were different railroad tracks before they moved by the tracks on NW 36 Street. Even back in 1960 someone at Johnnie & Mack "Se Habla Espanol" judging from the sign at the top of the photo. Thank you to Ivan Feller, son of the founder, for identifying the folks in the photo. Thank you to George Young for contributing the image, which was from the 1960 Mahi, the Miami High School yearbook.


other sizes: small medium original auto
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Guest 10-Jun-2015 00:55
Hi Ivan!
Lived right next door to you in 1946 on S. W. 13th Ave. and 18th St. --around the corner from Coral Way Elementary School. I even have a picture of you, me and Helene Alexander who was my best friend and lived across the street. Also, Carol Rayvis lived across the street. Arnold Schatzman lived down the block. You were several years younger than we were. I remember your parents and your sister very well. Those were great times, growing up in beautiful Miami! Thanks for all the wonderful memories--my dad (who owned the Gaylord shops in the N.E. area and in Coral Gable on Miracle Mile, next door to Woolworth's), used to say, Miami was his paradise, and it truly was ...Elsie Paul
bob davies 20-Nov-2012 19:24
hi ivan,bob davies
John Moore 13-Jan-2012 06:52
According to an article published December 24, 1955 in the Palm Beach Post, Johnnie Feller acquired a partner for his business, Charlie McDonald and the business became Johnnie and Mack's Garage. Mack, however, soon withdrew from the partnership and, through Feller's salesmanship, the business grew to be a 260,000 square foot garage by 1955 grossing over $2,000,000 a year and employeeing some 260 people.
Don Boyd23-Aug-2011 06:40
Dave, John and Paul: thank you for your great comments. The more information we have about these old places the better.

Don
Paul Black 23-Aug-2011 02:37
I was asking my dad Ronald Black who is 87 how he got into car repair. He told me he worked at Johnnie & Mack after he was discharged from the Navy. He started a auto salvage yard back in mid 60's which still operates today. Dad is retired but myself my mom and one of my brothers manage the business. He started a body shop in Baton Rouge USA BODY SHOP and at some point in time he decided to get into the salvage business. Our auto recycling yard is located across the river from Baton Rouge in a small town called Brusly. Apparently this body shop gave a lot of guys a start and they made the most of it. We are thankfull to Mr. Feller for giving our Dad a start in the automotive field which he has passed down to us.
John02-Apr-2011 20:40
Published on KeysNews.com http://keysnews.com)
Obituaries
Friday, April 1, 2011
Orlando 'Lalo' Rodriguez
Orlando "Lalo" Rodriguez, 87, of Miami, Fla., passed away Tuesday, March 29, 2011, at his residence in
Miami.
He was born in Key West on Feb. 19, 1924, to the late Orlando Antonio and Lila Machin Rodriguez.
Growing up, he played baseball in the Minor Leagues in Key West, nicknamed "Cho-co-Iate." Prior to moving to Miami, Lalo worked at Ramonin's Restaurant on Duval Street. He was a proud WVVII veteran. Upon completron of his service in the armed forces, Lalo worked at "Johnnie and Mack" Automotive Repair & Body Shop as a foreman for 32 years. He enjoyed the dog races, baseball, football, music and traveling to Key West regularly. During football season, he enjoyed parking cars at the family's property near the Orange Bowl. His love for his granddaughters was undeniable and he enjoyed every moment in their lives watching them grow up.
Orlando was a devoted husband and grandfather. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. He was
preceded in death by his parents; sister, Alba Disgdiertt; brothers, Rene and Mario Rodriguez; and his first
wife, the late Amalia Lopez Rodriguez. Several years later, he remarried, to Carmen Aguiar.
He is survived by his wife, Carmen; sons, Orlando R. Rodriguez (Margarita) of Miami and John P. Rodriguez (Diane) of Tallahassee, Fla.; grandchildren, Rebecca "Becky" and Monica Rodriguez; and seven nieces and nephews
Guest 11-Jun-2010 17:36
Hello, I gew up in Hialeah in the 1950's and '60's and remember Johnnie and Mack's (and their jingle) very well. My grandfather owned a garage/repair shop in Miami during that time called - Tommy and Jack's. (Grandfather's first name was Tommy). Had just googled Johnnie and Mack's as I just obtained a few vintage postcards from the early 1960's that shows the outside of the repair shop and work being done on some auto's. Interesting postcards and brings back a lot of memories as I used to "hang-out" at my grandfather's shop when I was very young. Will never forget Johnnie and Mack's by the railroad tracks. Dave
Don Boyd05-Jun-2010 15:04
Ivan and Jacob, thank you very much for providing the information on the company and who is in the photos.

Don
IVAN FELLER 05-Jun-2010 01:24
THE GIRL ON THE LEFT IS RITA GRUBER, AND THE GIRL ON THE RIGHT IS GAIL FISHER....SORRY CAN'T REMEMBER THE GUY ON THE RIGHT....HAPPY TIMES AT MIAMI HIGH CLASS OF 1960..
IV 05-Jun-2010 00:53
THE BOY ON THE LEFT IS ME, IVAN FELLER, MY FATHER, JOHN FELLER STARTED JOHNNIE & MACK BACK IN 1933, PAINTED CARS FOR 9.95 BACK THEN. CHUCK LEAVENGOOD WAS THE TRIM FOREMAN AND WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN TEACHING HERMAN BERNBERG THE AUTO TRIM BUSINESS. JOHN RODRIGUEZ, I WORKED ALONGSIDE YOUR DAD WHEN I WAS A KID. PLEASE CONTACT ME AT ijf33442@gmail.com....THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES OF A MIAMI PAST.
Jacob Feller 31-Mar-2010 14:47
My grandfather was actually Johnnie Feller, my father Ivan Feller is the boy on the left. Although I never got to see the company, I've heard a lot about it, and it amazes me how many people remember the jingle.
Steve 10-Nov-2009 16:27
Johnny and Mack by the railroad track, the world largest and that's a fact, This was also use at times.

57 year Native Miamian
Guest 26-Jun-2009 15:09
In 1968 my dad helped me drive my Studebaker Avanti down from long island to Miami to start collage. We brought the Avanti to Johnny & Mack to steam clean the engine and chassis.....dad mentioned back in the late 40's de did the same for one one the cars he drove down to Florida.
Jeffrey Alman30-May-2009 10:57
I also remember:
"JOHNNY AND MACK BY THE RAILROAD TRACK, SATISFACTION GUARANTEED OR YOUR MONEY BACK"
Guest 01-May-2009 17:44
I was a student at University Of Miami in 1965 and Johnnie and Mack made the
U of M football games from the Orange Bowl possible for us to see live on campus
via giant screens.... never forget um!
John
North Carolina
Ray26-Feb-2009 02:06
I drove past what was left of J&M on SR112 today. If you saw it in the last decade or two you saw a rusted sign and buildings that were falling apart. Today I saw the land is being cleared. I had always thought that maybe there had been some pollution issues and therefore it sat empty for so many years. But I guess someone is going to develop it now.

Ray
John Rodriguez 31-Dec-2008 13:46
Hello, I was surprised to find this on the internet. My father, Orlando Rodriguez worked at Johnnie and Mack in the Cleanup department for many years. I also worked there partime. If anyone remembers I father, and is interested please let me knwo.
Guest 02-Oct-2008 20:57
Herman:

Do you remember his wife Bobbi Feller? Bobbi's son was Chuck Leavengood, who had a shop in the Gables, right off Ponce. My family knew them real well. My dad was a Judge in Miami for 25 years.

Kenny Blanton
Herman Bernberg 26-May-2008 17:35
This is god,Iworked at Johnnie and Mack for 22 years from 1954 to 1976 in the Trim shop.I started at the bottom removing the seats from the cars to sweeping the floor,I instaled seat covers for 8 years after that I learned everything there was to learnin all phases of the business the next 6 years after that I was the forman of the shop for the next 8 years.I resigned in '76 and opened my own business which I had for 25 years so all I want to say is,thank you to Mr John Feller the owner.Iwas there when he passed.God bless all who were involved in my success. Herman Bernberg
Lew Sayre 21-Jun-2007 04:36
This ad was in the 1960 Miahi. For those who are not Stings, that was the Miami High Year Book. The folks in the photo were Miami High Seniors.

Lew Sayre