A Message from Cary & Joseph Curry
For the past 110 years, our family has been committed to serving in ways that reflect the values we embrace. We anticipate many more years of serving Bloomington, Southern Indiana, and surrounding states.
As we celebrate this 110th year, we acknowledge an anomaly within the automotive industry - five generations of ownership and 110 years of tradition. It's unparalleled. We believe in building relationships with our clients, our community, and our employees.
The three generations that preceded Cary committed to making the automobile purchase and service experiences at Curry second to none! Joseph continues that commitment as he steps into his new journey as the fifth generation Curry in this great business.
Our goal is to provide a best-in-class product and process. We strive to be the most innovative and state-of-the-art automobile dealership in sales, service, and collision repair.
Our passion for Bloomington, Indiana University, and the many organizations and individuals that make up the greater Bloomington community drives us to be better with each year.
Cary & Joseph Curry
Our Story
1914 - W.S. Curry made the 45-day return trip from California to Indiana in his 1912 Buick Model C-73B touring car, pulling a large trailer. The car was decorated with advertising for the town of Santa Anna, and throughout his cross-country trip, the advertising created quite a stir; as well as publicity for Buick. After seeing a story about the Curry's trip in the Kansas City Star, an official from Buick Motor Co. came to Bloomington to interest W.S. Curry in a dealership. At the time, Curry owned a dairy farm on South Rogers Street (where Bloomington Country Club is now located).
1915 - In June, the dealership opens its doors in the old Seward Foundry Building on North Walnut Street in combination with a horse and carriage stable - they quickly sell their first car!
1920 - W.S. moved to W. 6th St. temporarily (across from Yellow Cab and behind what was then the Graham Hotel) combining his car business with a horse and carriage stable.
1924-1928 - Glenn Barnhill Curry manages the dealership while his father W.S. Curry was the county sheriff.
1927 - Pontiac is added to the Curry Line and sold for 15 years.
1929 - Curry Buick Co. moves to a new location at 214 West 7th Street.
1930 - 1939 - In the midst of the Great Depression, Curry Buick managed to keep their doors open for business with an emphasis on service, despite the automobile industry being at a virtual standstill. Glenn and Martha Curry supplemented their income by housing university students in their extra bedroom space.
1931 - GMC Truck is added to the Curry Line and sold for eight years.
1935 - Cadillac is added to the Curry Line, however, GM felt Bloomington was too large a market for one dealership to carry all four lines. GMC was taken from Curry in 1938, Pontiac in 1941, and eventually Cadillac. But in time, all were to become part of the Curry line-up in future years.
1957 - Richard S. Curry joins the business full-time after graduating from Indiana University and spending two years in the United States Air Force. Local Attorney Dave Rogers purchases our first Opel shortly after Buick began importing the German-built vehicle.
1961 - Richard S. Curry is adjudged one of two top salesmen in Buick's seven-state Cincinnati zone. He received a 23" RCA color television set as a prize in an awards banquet at the Royal Purple Sales Masters Club in Cincinnati, Ohio.
1963 - W.S. Curry dies at 83 years old, still a dealer. Glenn B. Curry becomes the owner/dealer operator.
1964 - Cadillac was added to the dealership. The company name was then changed to Curry Buick-Cadillac Inc.
1969 - Glenn B. Curry retires and Richard S. Curry becomes the owner/dealer operator at age 39.
1971 - Richard S. Curry began thinking about moving the dealership. He decided the farmland around the new College Mall might be a good place to locate a brand-new, modern facility. Automotive officials scoffed, warning that people would not drive out to the country to buy a car, and that shopping malls might be a flash in the pan. Dealership relocated from 214 West 7th Street to Auto Mall Road/Buick-Cadillac Boulevard location. The grand opening was celebrated with a public event, offering small gifts, soft drink, and a nice arrangement of cars. The new location offered five acres of space, as opposed to the one cramped acre at the previous location. The new dealership opened with 26 employees.
1982 - Pontiac and GMC Truck are added to the dealership. The company name is changed to Curry Buick-Cadillac-Pontiac-GMC Truck, Inc.
1983 - The first major renovation to their facility occurred, which added 40' on rear of building as well as eight service bays and eight body shop bays. The dealership expanded to 27 service bays and 12 body shop bays, making it one of the largest service shops in the region.
1984-1990 - Curry receives the Buick "Best in Class" award for excellent customer satisfaction; making the dealership one of only six nationally to have won the award each year it has been given.
1994 - Cary K. Curry becomes a co-owner/dealer operator of the corporation with his father Richard.
2000 - The showroom is remodeled with a Public Open House, featuring a luxurious waiting room and private areas for the customers. The complex also has an expansive service department with 27 bays and parts department.
2005 - Richard S, Curry dies; however, his vision continues to be seen throughout the operation.
2008 - Completed construction of new 16,000 square foot Collision Center. Chevrolet was added to the dealership. Name changed to Curry Auto Center.
2016 - Joseph R. Curry becomes a co-owner of the company, establishing the first 5th Generation Dealership in the United States.
2020 - Dealership facility is closed to the public for 6 weeks during the coronavirus pandemic. Dealership remains operational to sell and service essential vehicles and limited customer vehicles. All employees remain employed and paid during the closure.
2021 - Dealership decides to terminate Cadillac franchise due to declining sales and increased costs.
2025 - Celebrated 30 years as a season sponsor of the IU Auditorium and introduced the Curry Family Spotlight, an annual event that brings a renowned performer or performance to IU.
