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The Mysterious World of Charles Schmitt & Co.
Posted on November 20th, 2011 15 comments
3500 South Kingshighway
South St. Louis, MOThe place in the City of St. Louis that most intrigues me is luxury car dealer Charles Schmitt & Co. The overhead garage doors seem to open selectively. The parking lot is always deserted. They seem to hide in plain sight, the violent violet shade of the building acting like a smoke screen as to what goes on in there.
One of my most treasured photos is from this series in about 2001, when I caught the building over a holiday weekend, half way through it’s transformation from neon pink to violent violet. Previous to this radical transformation, I never thought much about a neon pink building. That fact right there mystifies me – how can one take such a place for granted? But since that time, I gaze longingly and suspiciously at it every time I drive by, wondering how to infiltrate such a peculiar world.
Something tells me you only have access to this motor palace if you have lots of disposable income, a yen for certain types of automobiles and are a man. I don’t qualify for any of these, so must remain an outsider. That right there makes the place even more desirable!
The money action takes place in this small out building, painted a sophisticated shade of milk chocolate. The paperwork and wheeling and dealing over classic luxury cars remains separate from the display room and mechanics garage bays. This kind of separation of “church and state” is so old fashioned, so appealing.
This building went up in 1951, with the rest of the complex dating from 1952. Charles Schmitt & Co. officially claim to be doing business here since 1953, their longevity used as a key sales point, which can be seen on their website.
They didn’t have a website until 2003. Them being so cyberly-unfriendly just added to the mystique. But root around on their rudimentary site, and you learn they have been on eBay since 2002. I get the feeling Charles – who is now about 75 years old – had to be cornered into doing something like eBay. Why do I think that?
Take a look inside the luxury car tomb. This is a ring-a-ding boys club trapped in amber. I swear the wood paneling would permanently smell like cigarettes and Old Spice. I want to go to there. I don’t even care about the cars – take a look at all the paintings, knick knacks, statuary, photos and press clippings scattered everywhere. It is a living scrapbook of a colorful man who does it his way, even if it isn’t always entirely legal. That taint of danger? Ultimate Bad Boys Club, yes!
Mr. Schmitt’s bad boy status is well-earned. Scroll 50% down at this link (wherein the blogger borrowed one of my photos) to get some juicy back story on the fall from grace and hints of a rowdy party past with the big bucks who came through town to buy these used cars. Here’s a Cary Grant-owned Rolls-Royce they sold in 1982. You say Cary Grant and George Hamilton to me, and I will forgive any of his illegalities.
What kind of illegalities? A quick search through St. Louis Post-Dispatch archives reveals Mr. Schmitt on a prison work-release program for tampering with odometers, losing a $1.6 million defamation suit against Boatman’s Bank, and Jerry Berger reporting on him on a regular basis. Oh, to corner Mr. Berger to get the inside scoops!
Charles doesn’t seem to go out as much anymore, probably spending most nights at home in the Central West End. But if the eBay descriptions are accurate (like for this wicked Ferrari), the founder is “still active in all aspects of the business.” But does he enjoy it as much? Yeah, he’s taken a lot of lumps over the years, but I imagine the way you now sell used luxury cars just doesn’t have the same glamor it once had. Previous to the internet, it was a close word-of-mouth society, all those car collectors. 10-martini lunches and handshake deals just can’t compare with monitoring bids on a computer. And you know Charles isn’t the one doing that sissy website stuff!
Is there a successor in line for Charles D. Schmitt, or does this place die when he does? And every time a bent wrought iron fence spoke doesn’t get repaired, or a spotlight gets shot out without being replaced, I worry.
Because this is such a rarefied world, where only a select type can play, but do the new breed of car collectors want to play in faux-Old World flash? Hell, I’d be thrilled to be allowed to play in the showroom with my camera for an hour or two!
mid-century modern commercial, south st. louis charles d. schmitt, charles schmitt & co., luxury car dealer15 Responses to “The Mysterious World of Charles Schmitt & Co.”
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I can still remember back in the late ’70s and early ’80s when the flashy rides used to be displayed out in the lot. I seem to remember hearing that they had to stop displaying the cars outside because of all the accidents that were occurring in front of the place. Idiots were slowing down to eyeball the cars and getting rear ended.
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George Kinsey November 21st, 2011 at 9:23 PM
I very much remember too when there were many cars displayed on the lot. I’ve thought for many years that it was no longer in business just because there were no autos on display. I heard back in the 80′s, the owner was engaged to Victoria Principal. I don’t know how true that was. (She would have been in her 30s/early 40s, he in his 50s based on the age I just read–possible).
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Steve Patterson November 22nd, 2011 at 7:06 AM
Ive stopped there many times to look at the cars. I didn’t know they had been there that long, interesting. I could see a couple of restaurants in the main building with the front lot becoming a lush patio.
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Any relation to Daniel Schmitt, the luxury dealer on Lindberg near Northwest Plaza?
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stephanie November 24th, 2011 at 12:17 PM
Just fabulous. I thought it was closed, too. Nice to know this still exists.
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Thanks for the scoop, I live right by and always wondered what the heck was going on there.
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Maggie Aliaga-Kelly December 5th, 2011 at 9:24 PM
“Carwash Charlie” Vs. Rolls Royce
By PENELOPE WANG in St. Louis
Charles Schmitt has come a long way from the 1950s when he was known on the south side of St. Louis as “Carwash Charlie.” Starting out with a bucket, a cloth and $65, he transformed an unglamorous hot-wax-and-shine business into a luxury-car dealership whose customers include Hollywood stars and Arab sheiks. In 1982 Schmitt was the nation’s top Rolls-Royce dealer, selling 87 Rollses and Bentleys — 10 percent of U.S. sales and 22 cars ahead of his nearest competitor. This year, he says, he was on his way to another record. “One-on-one, there is no better salesman in the world,” says Illinois businessman Donald Couch, who has purchased more than 15 Rollses from Schmitt. All of which raises an intriguing question: how come Rolls-Royce has terminated Schmitt’s franchise?
Rolls-Royce Motors Inc., the U.S. affiliate of the British company, refuses to comment beyond noting that his franchise ended in September. The company has filed suit against him in federal court in New York seeking a judgment that the dealership termination was legal and asking for unspecified damages. Among other complaints, the suit alleges that Schmitt “has conducted his personal affairs in a notorious and outrageous manner” — and that he suffers from “a mental and emotional inability to devote sentient attention” to his business. It also seeks an injunction against him for his alleged threats against company executives.
The 49-year-old dealer is not about to let Rolls-Royce run him out of town. He has filed a countersuit in Missouri claiming that Rolls-Royce has no case. “I’ve always been flamboyant,” he says, noting that he has been a Rolls-Royce dealer since 1971. “I’m single. I go out with the ladies. If they want a pillar of the community, I’m not.” He claims that the rift with Rolls-Royce was sparked by jealousy on the part of other dealers who complained that he was “poaching” on their territories and underpricing the cars. He also cites personal differences with certain Rolls-Royce executives. “I did threaten to punch one out,” he admits. “I come from the streets. You have to express yourself.”
Movie Stars: The real problem, Schmitt says, is that Rolls-Royce doesn’t like his high-volume, low-price sales style. “Rolls-Royce doesn’t understand how to sell their cars,” he says. “They think their customers are old-money types. But today there’s a different clientele: businessmen, movie stars, athletes, that’s where the volume is. Nobody needs a Rolls-Royce, you have to make them want it.” To create that want, he’s made his dealer lot an old-money oasis. His showroom buildings are done in English Tudor style.
His walnut-paneled office is decked with art works, antiques and Chippendale furniture, some of which came on trade-in deals. (His sales manager is a former pawnbroker who helps appraise such items.) Thanks to such marketing touches as well as persistent salesmanship, Schmitt has compiled vast customer lists that allow him to do quick trade-ins. “His black book is worth its weight in gold,” says customer Don Couch. “I can just call him up and he can find me a buyer right away. Other dealers don’t have those connections.”
Despite that customer loyalty, Schmitt has been hurt by the loss of his franchise. When news of his difficulties came out, a local bank called in a $2 million loan, forcing him to hold a “fire sale” that attracted customers such as “Dynasty” star Linda Evans and boxer Larry Holmes. Schmitt paid off the loan and has filed suit against the bank in retaliation. Above all he is determined to win back his Rolls-Royce franchise. “I’ll sell my home, my antiques, but I won’t lose,” he says. “But it won’t ever be the same. They’re destroying the American dream.” Unfortunately for Charles Schmitt that may go with the territory.
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Would love to hear more testimonials about people who have actually ventured inside. The entire building and grounds look like they haven’t been touched since the 70s.
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Linda L. December 20th, 2011 at 9:15 PM
I used to work for Charles Schmidt Rolls Royce in the 70′s, I got to drive lovely exotic cars and had photos taken with an up and comer “rookie” Hank Aaron, got to meet his then fiance Polly Bergen and her best friend Charleton Heston. When they broke up I met his new fiance Victoria Principal. I would love to find some old photos that were taken with several people who were less known then than they are now. I had left his office when he was to marry a Ms. Stephanie Krey (of the krey meat packing company) so since I read this article, after I trained her in my job- (bookkeeper/biller) did they ever get married? I see that his son now has a dealership also, does anyone know about his eldest daughter? I would love to read this blog and see some updates. (I was not allowed ANY autograph seeking at that time and I was so young and I must have been un impressed because I never asked for any or really thought about it, now I wish I had) Well, glad to see something about his place but I believe my old reference letter spells his name Schmidt so what is up with that too?
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Linda L. December 20th, 2011 at 9:20 PM
I was hired in 74 and there used to be cars on the lot. His son is the luxury dealer on lindbergh. There was a fire in the shop one afternoon in july or august of 74 and that was scary. Mechanic Erwin and Jimmy helped spirit me out of the way when the explosions started! (I was taking a r.o. to Erwin) That was some sort of welding mishap. Once when the light turned red -some idiot ran inside wanting brochures and when he came back he complained his car was stolen. Heck, he left it running at the light!!!
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Linda L. December 23rd, 2011 at 9:44 PM
Oh yes, I thought I would mention that no, he did not marry Polly Bergen, Victoria Principal and as I trained Ms. Krey, I figured they would get married but I don’t know for sure, I wouldn’t have been invited to the wedding anyway. But I did work there through his 3 engagements. My favorite story today is I used to eat lunch with “Moses” when my boss and Ms. Bergen would go out together and Charlton would stay at the office. (He had not done Moses yet but he had done “The Omega Man” and several other movies.
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rrsafety January 25th, 2012 at 12:22 PM
check out Google News Archives for neat old articles about Mr. Schmitt
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When I was in my early teens in the early 1980s, my mom would drop me off at Charles Schmitt’s dealership on a Saturday morning with my camera in hand and I would spend the day taking photos of the various exotics that filled the lot – Lotus, Mercedes, Jaguar, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Lamborghini, Ferrari – forget a “field of dreams”, this was my “parking lot of dreams”. I would read the articles that lined the walls of the showroom, where cars were displayed on oriental rugs. At the time, I was too shy to approach Mr. Schmitt, who was invariably behind his desk, on the phone. It’s to his credit that he never had anyone run me off, and my love for those cars grew and encouraged me to pursue my career which I love so much today. A few years ago, on a trip ‘back home’, I stopped in to see the place. Crime and vandalism has brought all the cars indoors now, but Charles was still there behind the desk, and I took the time to share this same story with him. I wanted him to know that a little kid was inspired by his work to follow his own heart, and unknowingly he made a difference in a way he might never have imagined.
James Espey
Vice President
——————————————–
DeLorean Motor Company
http://www.delorean.com——————————————–
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Linda L. January 29th, 2012 at 10:25 PM
thank you rrsafety!
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Linda L. January 31st, 2012 at 9:01 AM
to rrsafety, thank you so much for the links! I was the bookkeeper/biller for the kansas couple and I did type up a bill of sale for a very expensive car but I did not know it would hit the record books! (many of the cars there were quite expensive) so I took it in stride and typed them up. Wow, once again, thank you.
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