Volkswagen Dealership – 1211 Lancaster Ave – 1970

Pictures were taken by my Grandfather of the 1970 Grand Opening of the Volkswagen Dealership as “Dick Horrigan Volkswagen” located at 1211 Lancaster Ave in the late 1960s. Before this is was under the name Nick Ciliberti. It was diagonally across the street from the Red Barn Restaurant. Today, it is occupied by Glass & Son’s Collision Repair. Did you ever buy a car here?

Nick Ciliberti Volkswagen

Born and raised in Berks, I am fascinated by the design, architecture, culture & style of the 20th century. I started this website to research and build a collection of the places, things and stories I have heard about my entire life. Read more here.

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Dave P
Dave P
5 years ago

I believe this was Nick Ciliberti Motors.

Gina
Gina
5 years ago
Reply to  Dave P

Are you sure it wasn’t Horrigan VW??

Tim Patton
Tim Patton
5 years ago
Reply to  Gina

Not sure if it was Horrigan in the 60’s but it was in the mid 70’s. I knew someone who was a salesman there.

Bob Hinkle
Bob Hinkle
5 years ago
Reply to  Gina

It was Nick Ciliberti VW first, and later Horrigan. I bought a new VW in 1963 from Ciliberti at the dealership on Lancaster Ave. The bumper on the yellow VW dates the pictures to between 1968 – 1973. I don’t know if the grand opening banner refers to the change in ownership or a renovated Ciliberti building, as I had left the area by that time and don’t know when Horrigan bought the dealership.

MARK
MARK
2 years ago

MY NAME IS MARK ANDERSON, MY FATHER WALLY WAS A SALESMAN AND GENERAL MGR FOR NICK FROM 1953 TILL NICK PASSED IN 1969, MRS CILIBERTI WAS UNABLE TO KEEP THE FRANCHISE BECAUSE SHE WAS A FEMALE! I HAVE MANY PHOTOS OF 1211 LANCASTER FROM THE 1960’S. CILIBERTI’ HAD A RACE TEAM,VW BEETLE,FORMULA 1 CAR AND A 912, ALSO PHOTO’S FROM THOSE DAYS. IN 1960 MY PARENTS LIVED IN MR MRS CILIBERTI’S HOME AT 1204 OLD WYOMISSING BLVD,THATS WERE I GREW UP!

MARK
MARK
2 years ago

I BELEIVE IT BECAME DICK HORIGAN IN 1970, MY FATHER WENT ON TO OWN PERFORMANCE TOYOTA IN WEST LAWN PA AND VALLEY TOYOTA IN SELINSGROVE PA IN 1977 TILL HIS PASSING IN 1993

MARK
MARK
2 years ago

CILIBERTI STARTED IN A BUILDING IN THE 50’S JUST DOWN THE STREET,WILL ASK MY MOTHER,SHE WILL REMEMBER. AFTER THEY MOVED TO 1211 THE OLD BUILDING WAS A POOL BUSINESS HOPE TO HEAR FROM SOMEONE, THIS IS MY CHILDHOOD GROWING UP AT THE DEALERSHIP

Franklin Starkey
Franklin Starkey
2 years ago

I once owned a 1978 Plymouth Horizon. I needed parts for transmission. Went to Lindgren Chrysler Plymouth and they didn’t have them. Guy sent me over to Horrigan VW and they had what I needed. You see the trans was the same as a VW Rabbit’s.

Berks Nostalgia