The History of Hare Chevrolet

America's Oldest Transportation Company

It all started in 1847

In 1847, a 19-year-old man named Wesley Hare set out in the earnest quest of earning a living. In the type of business which appealed to him most, he cast his lot as a wagon maker. It was a slow business, but he persevered. He opened a shop in Noblesville, and from a very small beginning, it gradually grew to one of the largest carriage and wagon making companies of the Midwest. In 1849, Wesley moved his business, Carriage and Wagon Works, to a frame building on the southwest corner of 10th and Conner Streets in downtown Noblesville. In 1852, Wesley Hare married Miss M.T. Harrison, daughter of a pioneer settler of Hamilton County. Their family consisted of 2 sons and 2 daughters. Sons, Elbert and Silas joined their father in the carriage and wagon business to become W. Hare & Sons, Inc.

The Hare Family used native timber to create every wagon, carriage, and buggy and established a market in Indiana and surrounding states. In 1882, W. Hare & Sons, Inc. was the largest wagon, buggy, and carriage dealer in Indiana and surrounding states. He realized that other things mattered far more consideration of others, conscientious service, and his motto, Keep up the quality.

The Early 1900's

In 1900, the company demolished the building and put in its place a modern, four-story, brick building. From 1909 to 1915, Frank (Bunny), Albert and Willard (Bill) Hare, Elbert's sons and Wesley's grandsons, became the 3rd generation to enter the business. Frank (Bunny) graduated from Indiana University in 1906, where he was captain of the football team. Albert, the youngest, attended Indiana University and served 18 months in the aviation service in Italy during WWI. Bill attended Eastman Gaines Business College in Poughkeepsie, New York and also played semi-professional baseball. Automobile sales were added to the Buggy & Wagon business in 1912. Early models of Cadillacs, Hupmobiles, Overlands, and Studebakers were among the first automobiles sold. In 1921, W. Hare and Son began selling Chevrolet automobiles. In 1924, Bill Hare participated in a 100 hour endurance economy run. At this time, the dealership provided 24 hour towing service.

The 1930's & 40's

By the early 1930s, between twenty and thirty new cars were sold each year. In 1939, Bills only son, John (Jack) Hare, joined the business after attending Indiana University to become the 4th generation at W. Hare & Son, but he was there just a short time before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Chevrolet plants had been preparing for the impending war. Civilian car production ended for Chevrolet in January 1942. The Chevrolet plants were completely converted to war work. Jack Hare left the business and joined the army. Cars in Hare's inventory had the tires removed and the vehicles were stored on blocks. The business remained open for service. Chevrolet resumed car production on October 3, 1945.

The 1950's

As the dealership began to outgrow its downtown Noblesville location, Truck sales and Used car Sales were moved to 1700 S. 10th Street (Allisonville Road) in Noblesville in 1948. Then in 1958, all of Hares operations were moved to that location, still under the leadership of Bill and his only son, Jack. In 1959, Jack Hare was elected chairman of the Dealers Planning committee. He served as spokesman for over 7,000 Chevrolet Dealers to top General Motors executives. This was the first time that any Hoosier ever served as Chairman of this committee. Jack Hare was married to Martha (Pearce) Hare and they had three daughters and no sons.

The 1960's-2016

In 1966, David L. Cox joined the business as a parts runner, and he officially became Jack's son-in-law when he married Jacqueline Hare in 1969. David was born and raised in Noblesville and completed his education at Purdue with a degree in Industrial Management. After college, he went into sales at the firm and was selected to the Chevrolet Society of Sales Executives and served as President of Chevrolet Sales Managers Association. David also graduated from the Chevrolet School of Merchandising and Management (Dealer Academy). He was named Dealer/Operator in 1992 and became Owner/Operator in 1996 upon the death of his father-in-law, Jack Hare. David and Jackie represent the fifth generation to own and operate the business.

In 1997, W. Hare & Son, Inc. celebrated its 150th Anniversary. In 1999, the dealership moved to its present location on State Road 37 in Noblesville under it?s 6th generation owners, Courtney Cole and Monica Peck, the two daughters of David and Jackie (Hare) Cox. In 2008, they purchased the majority of the shares of the dealership, and were the helm of the daily operations. Courtney joined the business in 1995, after graduating from Indiana University. Monica also graduated from the Indiana University School of Business, and spent over 6 years in the Information Technology industry before joining the business in 2003.

2017-Present

In January of 2017, Courtney and Monica made the very difficult decision to step down from owners of Hare Chevrolet. It was then that Hare Chevrolet was acquired by Asbury Automotive, a fortune 500 company based out of Duluth, Georgia. Asbury Automotive owns and operates over 80 other dealerships in the Midwest and we find ourselves to be very lucky to be one of them.

The forefathers of this organization had visions broad enough to transform the art of buggy making to the successful sales and service of automobiles, all done in a community rich area, which is the very foundation of this company. There are generations of families locally that have continued to do business with W. Hare & Son, Inc., and there are brand new customers everyday.

Every customer, new or repeat, is a valued one, and the Hare family continues to strive to earn your patronage for generations to come. With their current slogan a "Dealer for the People" they believe that everyone deserves to drive a Nicer, Newer vehicle.