Celebrating 100 Years of the Evans Dealer Group
In 2026, the Evans Dealer Group proudly celebrates 100 years of family ownership and automotive excellence. What began in 1926 as a bold leap of faith by our founder has grown into a century-long legacy built on integrity, innovation, and a deep commitment to the communities we serve.
The Humble Beginnings (1926)
Our family’s automotive journey began in 1926, when my grandfather, L.P. Evans, took a leap of faith that would shape the next 100 years of our history.
After moving from Atlanta to Florida to work for Homestead National Bank, L.P.’s life took an unexpected turn when a devastating hurricane destroyed the bank’s building. With no job to return to, he invested all the money he had into purchasing a few vehicles. Traveling from Tampa to Miami, he began buying and selling cars, building momentum through sheer determination, hard work, and belief in the opportunity ahead.
That perseverance paid off. L.P. eventually saved enough to purchase a building and officially open his first dealership, laying the foundation for what would become the Evans Dealer Group, a family business now celebrating a full century in operation.
A Visionary Marketer Ahead of His Time
L.P. Evans was more than a businessman, he was a visionary marketer.
One of our most treasured family artifacts is a hand-drawn, colorized illustration from the 1940s recreating one of the first aerial views of his dealership. Preserved for more than 70 years, the image reflects L.P.’s forward-thinking approach to branding and promotion at a time when automotive marketing was still in its infancy.
His dealership quickly became well-known throughout the region, establishing a reputation for quality and trust that continues to define the Evans name today.
The Second Generation: Jimmy Evans
Roughly 30 years after L.P. opened his first dealership, his son, Jimmy Evans, joined the family business as a salesperson.
Jimmy carried forward the values instilled by his father: hard work, honesty, and a genuine respect for customers. Through decades of industry change, economic shifts, and evolving consumer expectations, he helped grow and sustain the family business, ensuring the Evans legacy endured well beyond its early success.
The Evans Family & the American Bantam Car Company
Our family’s impact on the automotive industry extends far beyond dealership operations.
My great uncle, Roy Evans, founded the American Bantam Car Company, which earned worldwide recognition for developing the first Jeep. During World War II, American Bantam produced approximately 2,700 Jeeps based on the BRC-40 design and manufactured heavy-duty military trailers for the U.S. Army.
Roy Evans’ innovation and contribution to American automotive history remain a proud chapter in our family’s story, one that underscores a century-long connection to progress, engineering, and service.
Nostalgia in Print: Vintage Advertisements
A glimpse into our early days can still be seen through a vintage newspaper advertisement from the 1940s run by my grandfather. Featuring phone numbers with just five or six digits, the ad is a charming reminder of how much the world, and the automotive industry, has changed over the last 100 years.
It also highlights the early marketing efforts that helped establish the Evans name as a trusted automotive leader in the community.
A New Era: L.P. Evans Motors & the Mercedes-Benz Franchise
After 70 years of growth and success, our family entered a new era in 1996 with the opening of a state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz facility known as L.P. Evans Motors.
At the time, it was one of the largest and most beautiful Mercedes-Benz dealerships in the United States. The launch tagline, “Building on the past, looking to the future”, perfectly captured our philosophy: honoring our roots while continuing to evolve with the industry.
Continuing the Legacy — 100 Years Strong
Today, as we celebrate 100 years of the Evans Dealer Group, that same entrepreneurial spirit remains at the heart of everything we do.
Our current dealer group includes:
BMW of Dayton
Evans INFINITI of Dayton
Evans Volkswagen
Leadership continues across generations, with Jim Evans as owner, Scott Evans serving as General Manager of BMW of Dayton and Evans Volkswagen, and Ed Bressler leading Evans INFINITI of Dayton.
We wouldn’t be here without L.P. Evans’ original dream and determination. As we honor this historic milestone, we remain committed to serving our customers, our employees, and our community, ensuring the Evans legacy continues for the next 100 years.