STARK HICKEY FORD









January 11, 2023
by Peter Disher with some help from Marty J., Bill C.,
Craig R. and an assist from Mr. Vinny Liska





Researching Stark Hickey Ford was very challenging. In the 1960s, there wasn't one Stark Hickey dealership, but several. There were at least three in the Detroit suburbs. The dealership that sold the Shelbys was located at 550 North Woodward Avenue, in Royal Oak. This picture from 1965 shows the 550 N. Woodward location.







Henry Stark Hickey began selling cars in Detroit in 1920. By the time the Mustang appeared, he had been in the car business for over 44 years! Stark's son and two of his son-in-laws ran other dealerships.







Ed Schoenherr was one of Stark Hickey's son-in-laws. He owned and ran the 550 N. Woodward location. Ed was up to speed on the performance cars of the 1960s.







This article from the Detroit Free Press is dated September of 1965. It shows Ed Schoenherr opening the "new" 550 N. Woodward location of Stark Hickey. They celebrated the occasion by giving away 15 cars. Wow. Ed had been working at another location previously. This dealership sold just over 140 vintage Shelbys. That makes it number 20 all time.







This was Ed's car. It is P1059, one of the original GT40s.







CSX3259 was one of the original Cobras. A red 427 car has to be on everyone's wish list.







The one thing we can find is a lot of Stark Hickey sponsored racing cars. This one was called "Goldfinger", a reference to the evil character in the James Bond movie, no doubt. It had a bad @$$ 427 SOHC engine. This Mustang A/FX car was raced by Dick Brannan. Brannan was a Ford team driver. This photo was taken at the nearby, Ford Dearborn test track.







The dealership sold its new diagnostic center capabilities. They would give you a work over for just $10. There was even an article in the New York Times about this new wizardry.







Here is Stark Hickey's, Ben Pontius dialing in the modern diagnostic machine.







Schoenherr sold this beautiful 1966 Shelby number 6S1733. There is no doubt what its purpose could be.







1966 # 2086 might be on the opposite end of the spectrum, but it's every bit as beautiful.







Mr Vinny Liska is always able to come up with something new. This stationary is from 1966.







He also found this invoice for some cool parts.







Marty's car was #0069 and it was designated an original "showing car". Many dealers kept these early cars on the showroom floors until more models flowed in, often times months later. Marty has found the elusive Stark Hickey plate frame. The car is about to undergo a complete restoration.







This is car 987. It looks great with the blackwalls and the period correct license plates! It was one of about 60 cars sold by the dealership in 1968.







This red GT500 is one of about 18 GT500s sold by the dealer in 1968. It is number 1430.







This car is # 1812, the unique paint scheme was created by the previous owner.







Marty found this cool decal from the dealership. It measures 5.75 x 3.75. Someone really needs to remake these!







This might be the only convertible sold by Stark Hickey in 1968. The blue with saddle is a real head turner on 3255.







You have to be fond of the original colors on any Shelby. 1968s didnt come with over the top stripes, but they look good here on KR # 3257.







I am little partial to black myself. 3298 is looking like a movie star under the lights.







Do you know the story of the "135" series drag cars? This is why the Cobra Jets are so popular. 135038 was sponsored by Stark Hickey and its waiting for you to find it.







3449 is a special paint KR. The special paint numbers have been firmed up. Just 85 GT500 KR fastbacks were painted this color.







Car 4129 was the star of a YouTube video. It was found hiding in a barn.







Stark Hickey sold 4135 near the end of the model year. They just over two dozen GT500 KRs total.







Martys collection of Stark Hickey items includes these period correct key chains and Zippo lighter.







In 1969, the dealership sold about 30 cars. 1627 has to be one of the best looking.







A Grabber Blue Hertz GT350 will get your attention. Like many dealers, Stark Hickey received Hertz cars before they were sent to the airports. This one is number 1987.







Craig shared this very rare piece of memorabilia from Stark Hickey.







The yellow 1969 shown here is car 2043. It was another Grabber color offered for 1969.







This 1969 Mach 1 was a Ford test car and sponsored by the dealership in NHRA racing. Picture from the Internet.







One of the Boss 429s that Stark Hickey sold new.







This period photo of a 1970 Mustang at Stark Hickey shows the dealer license plate frame.
This website has been instrumental in promoting the original dealers that sold these cars.







This photo was probably taken after 1970 based on the Ford sign. 550 N. Woodward is still advertising their diagnostic services.
I believe the way to tell the dealerships apart is the 550 location had a white sign with blue lettering, above the doors.
The other Stark Hickey outlets look quite similar, but had different signs.







On the left is Stark Hickey West, on the right is Stark Hickey Hicket East. It's easy to confuse these with the Woodward Avenue location.
Believe it or not there other addresses associated with older locations of the dealership.







Also not the Hickey we are interested in...Hickeytown USA was about 30 miles away in nearby Southgate, Michigan





550 North Woodward was later renamed 27550 Woodward and is now the home Royal Oak Ford.





If you find something related to the original Stark Hickey at Royal Oak, please drop me a note.



Coralsnake68@hotmail.com