Connell Cadillac and Buick (Gone)
Oakland, CA
Photo courtesy Scott Strickland

Check out the neon letters stretching across Connell Cadillac and Buick on Oakland’s Broadway Auto Row. Before Cadillac and Buick moved into the spotlight, this was Connell Oldsmobile, back when that familiar GM name could still be found along the boulevard.

Connell Motor Company moved here in 1947 and eventually became the second-largest Oldsmobile dealership in the country. After GM retired the brand, the dealership continued with Cadillac and Buick before becoming Bay Bridge Auto Center. The names changed, but the glowing letters still gave Broadway some nighttime color. 10-09

UPDATE: Bay Bridge Auto Center later closed. The Connell neon letters and subsequent dealership signage have been removed from the building. 09-26