For all the familiar places on Main Street, U.S.A., one spot that is completely unique to Disneyland Paris is Main St. Motors. Situated on the corner of Main and Market Streets, Main St. Motors is the town's first car dealer and service garage, and they know their audience. The building is easily one of the more masculine on the street, with elements inspired by automobiles. Notice the spoked-wheel design in the marquee and the clock, as well as the finial high above the entrance, carved in the shape of a hood ornament.
Signs adorning the dealership encourage passersby to "Drive into the 20th Century" with "The Safest, Fastest & Finest Cars in America." The banner across the clock says it's "Time to Trade In." Of course, they'll take your early Model A or Model T Ford in exchange for a newer model, but the folks at Main St. Motors will also happily accept horses in trade from those ready to give up the carriage and go horseless!
For those who have already purchased a motorcar, Main St. Motors also supplies gasoline to keep you going. When the park opened, the medallion atop the fuel tank read "Esso," the international brand name used by ExxonMobile, an early Disneyland Paris operating participant.
When it opened in 1992, Main St. Motors also carried a unique selection of merchandise, including toy cars, vintage license plates, automobile posters... and actual early-1900s model automobiles! There were originally three cars on display (1907 Model C High Wheeler, 1908 "Gentleman's Roadster" and 1911 Oakland Model 33 touring sedan), along with a 1911 Excelsior Model G Auto Cycle motorcycle. With modern-day prices in the neighborhood of $100,000, the cars never sold, rendering Main St. Motors more attraction than shop. You can see some great images of that version of Main St. Motors over at the Designing Disney blog.
After a few years, most of the cars (along with detailed, prop-filled areas representing a garage and service office) were removed in favor of more space for traditional, revenue-generating items. One of the antique cars remains, though. The 1911 Oakland in the front window of the shop recalls those earlier, ambitious days.
Several of the vintage props are still around, too. They've just been shifted into vignettes above the fixtures and in the corners. Look for a sign advertising Excelsior Auto Cycles, old horns and headlamps, oil cans, spark plugs, a leather tool bag and an antique tire changer. While you're looking up, you may also notice the wheel pattern in the punched tin ceiling.
Paintings on the fixtures imply other areas of the shop and showroom which we may not be able to visit, like the garage depicted below:
Whatever your business here at Main St. Motors - purchasing a car, filling up with gas, getting an engine serviced or buying a Tinker Bell T-shirt - be sure to stop at the Service Desk to settle up before getting back on your way. See you next time. Until then... Happy Motoring!
