• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Alert

COVID-19 Related Library Service News and Updates More Info

arlingtonva.us
MENUMENU
  • Join Now
  • My Account
    • Login
    • About My Account
    • My eAccounts
    • Join Now
  • Holds Pickup & Express Libraries
  • Locations
  • News
  • Help
    • FAQs
    • Contact Us
    • By Appointment
  • Contact Us

Arlington Public Library

MENUMENU
  • Events
    • Explore Online Programs
    • Featured Events
    • Events Calendar
  • Search
      • Browse New
      • Browse All
  • eCollection
    • eAudiobooks
    • eBooks
    • Digital Magazines
    • Learning Tools
    • Research Tools
  • Research
    • Research Portal
    • Research Tools A-Z
    • Local History
  • Services
    • Accessibility Services
    • Borrowing
    • Holds Pickup
    • Get Reading Recs
    • Nonprofits
    • Resume & Job Search
    • Technology
    • Wi-Fi
    • Unavailable Services
    • Accounts and Borrowing
    • Computer Services
    • Meeting Rooms
    • Accessibility Services During COVID-19
    • Make an Appointment
    • More Services
  • Explore
    • Catalog
      • Catalog Search
      • Catalog Browse
      • Digital Archives
      • Borrowing Collections
      • Book Lists
    • Kids & Teens
      • For Babies and Preschoolers
      • For Elementary Schoolers
      • Middle and High Schoolers
    • Local History
      • Research Room
      • Community Archives
      • Digital Collection
    • Support the Library
      • Friends of the Library
      • Giving Opportunities
      • Donating Materials
    • Popular
      • Lynda.com
      • Consumer Reports
      • Overdrive
      • RBdigital
    • EXPLORE MORE
  • Join Now
  • My Account
    • Login
    • My eAccounts
    • About My Account
    • Get a Free Library Card
  • Holds Pickup
  • Locations
  • News
  • Help
  • Contact Us

Bob Peck Chevrolet

If you've driven down Glebe Road in Ballston over the past few years, you might have noticed the diamond-shaped design on the facade of a new office building at 800 N. Glebe Rd.

The diamond shape was chosen to commemorate Bob Peck Chevrolet, which stood at the same location from 1964 until 2008.

Bob Peck

Peck Chevrolet, 1991

In 1939, Bob Peck, along with his business partner Lawrence Kenyon, opened Kenyon-Peck Chevrolet in Clarendon. But in 1942, with the onset of World War II, the federal government ordered automobile manufacturers to cease production and instead turn their attention to making military vehicles and other essential military items. Peck and Kenyon survived the declining new car business by selling used cars and servicing vehicles.

Peck and Kenyon ran the business together until the early 1950s when Kenyon left the business, at which point Peck changed the name to Peck Chevrolet.

Bob Peck 2

Bob Peck Chevrolet Body Shop, Danville & Wilson Blvd., 1993

In 1964, Bob Peck opened a showroom in Ballston at the corner of North Glebe Road and Wilson Boulevard.

This location—designed by local architect Anthony Musolino—instantly became an iconic Arlington landmark. The dealership featured a transparent circular showroom made of glass with a butterfly roofline of the diamond-shaped, blue panels spelling “Chevrolet.”

Although Peck Chevrolet was demolished in 2008, a replica of the distinctive blue and diamond roofline, along with a Bob Peck historical marker, now welcome visitors to the office building that took its place.

To see more photos of Peck Chevrolet, or to learn more about Arlington's history, visit the Center for Local History on the first floor of the Central Library.

Do you have a question about this story, or a personal experience to share? 

Use this form to send a message to the Center for Local History.

Center For Local History - Blog Post Message Form

Do you have a question about this story, or a personal experience to share? Use this form to send a message to the Center for Local History.
  • Share Your Story

August 29, 2019 by web editor

Filed Under: Center for Local History, Throwback Thursday

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Helen V Camba says

    September 6, 2019 at 3:29 PM

    Dear Library Manager,

    The article above has some incorrect information. You state people during WWII were not looking to buy new cars. That is completely wrong. The great Americans on the home front could not buy new cars because they did not make any new cars between 1942-1945. The auto plants built aircraft and tanks and jeep and trucks to save the world and America from Socialism. So to say few people were looking to buy new cars is complete wrong.

    • Web Editor says

      September 9, 2019 at 10:58 AM

      Helen,

      You are absolutely correct; thank you for your comment. We have rewritten that paragraph to be more detailed and accurate.

Primary Sidebar


The Center for Local History: Where Stories Live


Arlington’s Signature Soda: Cherry Smash


Dr. Charles Drew: Taking a Stand


Oral History: Bob & Edith’s Diner


Lutrelle Parker

Rediscover Lutrelle Fleming Parker, Sr.


Roberta Flack’s Arlington Roots


Read more blog posts from the Center for Local History


Center for Local History


Central Library, First Floor
1015 North Quincy Street
Arlington VA 22201
703-228-5990

Footer

Explore

  • Catalog
  • eCollection
  • Research
  • Services
  • Kids and Teens
  • Local History
  • Events
  • more

About Us

  • Mission & Vision
  • Policies
  • Library Administration
  • Job Opportunities
  • For Partners
  • News Room

Support Your Library

  • Friends of the Library
  • Giving Opportunities
  • Donating Materials
  • Volunteer Opportunities

Our Mission

We champion the power of stories, information and ideas.

We create space for culture and connection.

We embrace inclusion and diverse points of view.

Download the Library App

Arlington County | Terms & Conditions | <!-- Accessibility | --> Site Map
· Copyright © 2021 Arlington County Government ·