86-year-old auto salesman still working at Lucky Auto Sales in Pontiac

Pontiac car salesman celebrates 60 years with Lucky Auto Sales

PONTIAC, Mich. – It was 1952 when Lucky Auto Sales first opened its doors on U.S. Highway 24 in Pontiac.

Fast forward 60 years and the dealership has become a piece of Pontiac history along with Marvin Fenkelstein, 86, who has been running the place since day one.

"You work. Work hard everyday, then you're successful. You can't sit and lay around and do nothing. That's for sure," Fenkelstein said.

Fenkelstein was born in 1926. He spent time in Japan during World War II. When he came home, he simply needed to make a living.

"My dad died, I was 9 years old. I was on my own. You gotta work," he said.

The red and white signs at Lucky are the originals from the 50s. The main office is covered wall-to-wall with awards and certificates. Six decades later, Finkelstein sill works five days a week.

"From 8 in the morning til 5," he said.

Fenkelstein's son-in-law, Alan Aguas, has worked at Lucky for 10 years. He is still considered a newbie compared to Marv.

"This is his is golf course. This is his country club. These are his people. I mean, this is where he comes. He always threatens, 'I'm leaving and I'm not coming back,'" Aguas said.

Auguas says Fenkelstein is not always interested in new technology at the dealership.

"People come in and they ask for Carfax and Marv will say, 'Well, look it up on the television,' that's what he tells them," Aguas said.

The key to Lucky Auto Sales' 60-year success has always remained simple.

"We're trying to treat people the way I would like to be treated," said Fenkelstein.

Lucky has a website and Facebook page. However, Fenkelstein still keeps all his sales in paper files.


-- Lucky Auto Sales back in the 1950s at its location in Pontiac.