In 1948, Don Lee opened the doors to what would become one of Oregon’s longest-standing independent automobile dealerships. But his passion for cars and entrepreneurial spirit had been taking shape for years before that.
Don Lee’s journey began on a farm in Minnesota. As a teenager, he left the family farm and headed west, eventually settling in North Portland. Starting as a milkman, Don’s daily route sparked an interest in cars—he often found himself eyeing vehicles for sale along the way. Before long, he had saved enough from his milk deliveries to purchase his first car, which he sold at a local Union Oil service station. Seeing an opportunity, he leased space at other service stations around Portland and began selling more cars. What started as a small operation quickly grew, and Don soon had a fleet of around 20 cars for sale at various locations across the city.
However, in a sudden turn of events, Union Oil informed Don that they would no longer lease their properties for car sales, forcing him to make a difficult choice: remain in the oil business or pursue his passion for cars. In 1948, fate intervened when a small piece of land on North Lombard Street came up for sale. With their savings, Don and his wife, Beverly, purchased the plot for $3,000 and moved their inventory to the new location. This marked the official founding of Don Lee Motors.
Finding good quality used cars was a difficult task early on. Don frequently traveled cross country to pick up vehicles in Chicago. His relatives, still living back east, drove the cars back to Portland with him. They would take five or six cars back on a single trip and drive all day and night until they reached their destination.
The first 15 years of business were most difficult. Beverly said that Don was, “the hardest working man you’d ever see in your life.” But even so, it was hard to get ahead and she begged him to give up the dealership. The year 1949 was a bad one for the car business. Almost over night, car values plummeted and lost half of their value. Most dealers folded under the stress. But not Don. He simply took on more work. After working all day at his dealership, he’d go home and sleep for a few hours and then rush off to another job in construction. Through hard work and long hours, he was able to pull through the tough times. “It was one of my proudest moments when I had paid off my debts and owned the business outright,” Don said.
In the mid-1950s, a large multi-use building was carefully transported down Lombard Street, moved in sections atop cement slabs. The structure housed apartments, an accounting office, and the popular Broasted Chicken Restaurant. Once relocated, the building was placed directly beside Don Lee Motors. A decade later, the property owner offered to sell the entire building and surrounding lot to Don Lee, marking a significant expansion for the business.
Don’s legacy continued through his son, Rod, who began working at the dealership as a teenager. During summers and after school, Rod washed and detailed cars, gradually developing a passion for the business. His interest quickly grew, and he began selling cars, taking on more responsibilities over time. Working closely with his father, Rod learned the values of honesty and integrity that had shaped Don’s approach to business.
When Don retired, Rod took the reins as the new owner, continuing to uphold the dealership’s strong reputation. Today, Rod’s son, Robert, has embraced the family tradition, becoming the third generation to work in the business as a car salesman, ensuring that the values and commitment to service that started with Don continue to thrive.
For over 75 years, generations of families have turned to Don Lee Motors for their vehicle needs. As Don once said, “It is this foundation of loyal buyers that made it a success.” Today, many of those same families—along with their children, grandchildren, friends, and relatives—continue to trust Don Lee Motors for their automotive purchases. The Lee family takes immense pride in this enduring relationship and remains committed to upholding the values of honesty and integrity that have defined the business from its very beginning.
Only 580 American Bantam Sport Pickups were produced between 1938 and 1940, and today, fewer than 40 are believed to remain in existence—making this vehicle an exceptionally rare piece of automotive history.
The American Bantam Car Company was established in 1936 and played a pivotal role in the lead-up to World War II. In 1940, as the U.S. government sought a new general-purpose military vehicle, Bantam was the first to submit a design. Their prototype would go on to become the blueprint for what we now know as the Jeep. However, despite their innovation, the government deemed Bantam too small to handle large-scale production. Instead, the contract was awarded to Ford Motor Company, who adapted Bantam’s design for mass production to support the Allied war effort.
Throughout its brief history, American Bantam produced a range of vehicles—including roadsters, sedans, and pickups—but it struggled to compete with the larger automakers and ultimately ceased operations in the mid-1950s.
Don Lee Motors acquired this 1940 Bantam Sport Pickup in 1955, and it has remained a cherished symbol of the company ever since. Today, you can view this rare classic—alongside other vintage vehicles—right here in our dealership showroom.
