Folks Of Interest Anne Ricker 1914 to 2016

Well who was Anne Ricker and why is she relevant to the HAMB and old classic car world. She was born in 1914 in north central Nebraska, Old cars, Hot Rods and unique vintage cars were a long ways off yet! Horse & buggy was the main mode of transportation, life was tough and even rougher in the winter. Anne had decided in 1935-ish that Nebraska would always be cold and snowy in the winter. So she headed west to Los Angeles California, living in small apartments and finding less than good jobs was a challenge, this was the depression so there were no jobs, long lines, food rations and such. An opportunity came about her way once that got her foot in the door for a office job due to the person interviewing just happened to be from Nebraska as well. He told her go home sit by the phone and a call might come, she did, the phone did ring and she grabbed before it went silent. There are so many more details from when Anne would tell the stories and there were so many great ones. So to make a long story short, this was necessary to set the proper backdrop of the era if you will.

Eventually Anne found herself working at a Cadillac dealership in accounting, bookkeeping etc. she did well and got promotions, but noticed that the parts sales guys were making better money. So she pressed the owner for her to have a position behind the parts counter, well this was a ridiculous idea! remember this is in the 30's 40's area and women were not well received or even considered for a job like that. But somehow she pulled it off and became a favorite go-to person for average people that would come in to buy radios and accessories for there Cadillac and Packards. For example Cecil B DeMille, Betty Grable and such. Anne said "Betty Grable would bring her Packard in for service and the mechanics would go goofy!" I could just imagine the scene.

Anne met Mike Ricker who was one of the mechanics at the dealership, Mike was originally from Stillwater, Oklahoma. His family was in the tire and bicycle business until hard times forced him to head west. Anne and Mike eventually married and went out on their own with Hudson, Packard, Studebaker, and Nash dealerships through the 40's & 50's. Mike was the one who built the Glasspar 2 with the Nash Healy grill! Some of the first real sports cars.

They later had the AMC dealership in the 60's & 70's right there in Whittier, California. They ended up dealing in some pretty rare cars, and AMC race cars as well. Later after the demise of AMC Anne and Mike now older were more into the classic cars scene turning their large lot at 5 points, Washington & Whittier Blvd into a classic used car lot full of everything from 55 Chevy's to T-birds, Hollywood Grahams, Model A's, coupes, T's, Packards, Mustangs, Javelin's, Cadillacs, and so much more! Mike and Anne loved cars, working hard, being honest and helping people. They once loaned some brand new 65 AMC Ramblers to a start up driving school company that I believe is still operates today in L.A. Many of their classic cars were on loan to Casinos, Fine hotels and Museums, in California, Nevada and Arizona.

Even though I didn't really know Anne and Mike until 1992 when we delivered a custom built car we built at our shop (in Lincoln, Nebraska) to a collector in the Whittier, Calif. area and we visited them at their classic car lot. They remembered me from early 60's when i was a kid, since Anne is my great aunt and great aunts know everything family! But growing up in the midwest I rarely got to see them except at family events back here in Nebraska, but never really got to know the magnitude of their lives in the automotive world, until that visit in 92. So we stayed in touch through the years since with a few visits & phone calls. In 2004 my good friend moved from Omaha, Nebraska to Covina, California. He was involved in road racing, and vintage race cars, I had been his body and paint guy for 20 some years so when he needed some repairs, I would fly out to help him. Then we would go visit Anne and Mike and tour the lot and shop of amazing automotive history. Mike passed away in 06 at 94 yrs old, Anne keep strong and managed all the cars, work shop & thousands & thousands of NOS parts. Anne always stayed in touch with family and friends in Nebraska and would come back as often as possible. She would also always appreciate a visit from us Nebraskans and some time at her favorite restaurant Polly Pies, while we talked about those good old days over Peach pie & icecream!

Anne passed away August 25th, she would have been 102 years old Christmas day, I'll miss her greatly but am so glad I had the opportunity to spend time with such a legend in the automobile industry. I just thought I'd share this story of a life well lived in the automotive world with the HAMB and old car community. Here are a few pictures to go with the story.

 

Sorry for your loss, sounds like she really enjoyed her career in the car world, thank you for sharing her story. Bob

 

A great story about how hard work, perseverance and honesty will always win out over laziness, dishonesty and lack of integrity. What a great lady. Would have loved to sit down with her and just listen to her memories.

 

Condolences to you and your family on your loss. Living life to the fullest. Wow that was just doing it all. I will go over this a lttle more thoroughly when I have a bit more time.
Regards,
Stogy

 

A great story.

 

I really loved her story. Sorry that she is gone.

 

Very much enjoyed that.She had quite a full life.

 

Thanks for great read, she was quite a trendsetter!
KK

 

Thanks to all you who took the time to read & comment on this story I feel it is somewhat important to remember those people of yesteryear that have made an impact in the automobile industry to help the rest of us to carry on some of the history into the future for the younger folks to enjoy. A friend of mine Bob McClug has been working on a Book about AMC & their performance years and was great-full to get some of the info about Anne & Mike Ricker & their involvement with racing.

 

Some people have quite the life, to be envied. To live long and to live well is the key.

 

Very sorry for your loss but it looks like she lived a very rewarding life and that's definitely something to not be sad about. Thank you for sharing.


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I'm sorry you lost her, but I appreciate the story and pictures greatly. She lived a fantastic life and I'm sure she is glad you shared it for her


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Thanks for a great story about a remarkable lady.

 

Thank you for sharing. It sounds as you were mutually lucky to have one another and share a common interest. Great story


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Thanks for telling her story. She'd have fit in just fine around the HAMB, telling her experiences.

 

Sorry for your loss ,,, my grandparents lived on washington blvd about five or six houses from whittier blvd was the dealer across from the super market that was on the corner of washington and whittier ?

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Yes that sounds like it kind of a triangle large lot with a covered awning over it this is where the AMC dealer sip was, earlier day was on Hadly street as seen in the pictures.

 

wow really great read and glad she was able to join he beloved....

 

thanks again everyone for your kind thoughts & comments about my great Aunt Anne Ricker and her life story.

 

Doug,

I just saw your post - don't know how I missed it the first time around.

Your aunt does indeed sound like an amazing lady! You and your family have my deepest condolences. I will lift a prayer for you all.

It sounds like Anne and Mike were really good people and that you have a treasure trove of good memories of them. Hold those memories close and your aunt and uncle will never be far away.

God bless,

Thor

 

What a terrific story about a really interesting person.

 

Sorry for your loss, my dad passed away the exact same day this year, at a young 88 years old.

 

Very nice tribute you have done for Her.