History of Sheets GMC
The following contains excerpts from the book History of Pocahontas County, WV 1981 (Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas).
In 1922 Clarence A. Sheets, realizing a need for automotive facilities, opened a repair shop in Green Bank, West Virginia, after graduating from the Sweeny Automotive School in Kansas City, Missouri. In June of 1923 he purchased a small building and began selling Standard Oil Company products, then known as Esso, and repairing Model-T Fords.
In 1924 he acquired a sub-agency selling Chevrolets. Previously he worked for the Ford Garage in Elkins delivering the first cars into Pickens, WV. In 1927 a contract was completed with General Motors to service and sell Oaklands and Pontiacs.
The business weathered the depression era and some very "lean" years to follow. In 1934 the Oldsmobile franchise was obtained, dropping Pontiac and Oakland. The business expanded as did the facilities and the famous "pot bellied" stove was replaced by central heat.
In 1949 the famous 4–wheel drive Jeep franchise was acquired and in 1958 International Harvester Company was providing 4–wheel drive vehicles including the “Scout” which replaced the Willys. This line of vehicles was sold until 1972 when International dropped production.
In 1973 Clarence began making plans for retirement. To continue selling Oldsmobile, Sheets Garage was sold to Alfred C. Ervine, an employee since 1954, and Charles A. Sheets, son of Clarence A. Sheets, who had been involved in the business. They incorporated in February, 1974. Alfred C. Ervine, president of Sheets Garage, Inc., signed a contract with Oldsmobile Division of General Motors Corporation in April, 1974, to be an authorized Oldsmobile Dealer. In 1986, a new 7200 sq. ft. building on approximately three acres was constructed. The business prospered with Oldsmobile sales under the leadership of Alfred Ervine who was awarded the Elite Oldsmobile award for consistently high Customer Service Index (CSI). The building has a 4-vehicle showroom with a greeting area, three private offices, clean bathroom facilities, comfortable customer waiting area, service area, training room with internet, parts room, and four service bays. The facilities include over 43,000 sq. ft. parking lot for new and used vehicles, ample customer parking with two safe and easy access entrances off route 92, the main highway
January, 2002, Alfred Ervine sold his share of stock, becoming consultant to the corporation and retaining ownership of the property and building. Long time business partner and stock holder Charles Sheets retained his share of original stock and became president with Carolyn Sheets, wife of Charles, as secretary/treasurer of Sheets Garage, Inc. Charles became successor in April of 2000, and was later approved by GM as dealer/operator.
With the sad ending of GM's oldest line of vehicles, Oldsmobile, in 2004, SHEETS acquired the GMC light duty truck franchise by signing a contract on December 15, 2005, with General Motors Corporation offering new GMC vehicles, GM program vehicles, parts and service and operating as SHEETS GMC.
With the down-turned economy beginning in 2008, GM filed for bankruptcy May 1, 2009, and offered SHEETS GMC a “Wind-down” agreement to operate until October 31, 2010. SHEETS GMC operated under the agreement and was eventually given the opportunity to sign a Letter of Intent (LOI) dated March 11, 2010. SHEETS returned the signed letter on March 19th to General Motors, LLC., with the condition of being reinstated as a GM dealer.
