Rudy Heinatz Jr. will retire Dec. 31 after being in the automotive sales business for more than 40 years.
Heinatz will step down as general manager of Quinn Motors, Inc., on Route 17, just north of Short Lane in Gloucester. At Quinn Motors, he’s worked in several positions since May 1983, including 14 years as general manager, and earlier stints as a salesman and sales manager.
“With a smaller dealership you do it all,” Heinatz said. He’s enjoyed his long career in the automotive sales business, noting that the Quinn staff has been like family and he’s had many repeat customers that have made his job more enjoyable.
Heinatz said cars were a lot different in 1972, when he went to work selling them for Poquoson Motors. Cars had carburetors and points then, he said, with computerized systems coming in in more recent years.
Technicians could tinker a bit back then, he said, but now many have advanced certifications to handle the more complex vehicle specifications.
Also, the vehicle selection was not as varied then as now, Heinatz said, with more foreign cars, vans and sport utility vehicles seen now compared to few of those types of vehicles when he entered the business.
There were lots of station wagons back then, he said.
“He’s really done a good job for us for a long time,” said Bill Quinn, president of Quinn Motors, which has a staff of 18.
Before going into sales of new and used vehicles, Heinatz served four years in the U.S. Air Force, with his highest rank captain.
Heinatz, 69, said he plans to catch up on his “honey-do list” in retirement and also get to tackle gardening projects he never got to because of long hours at the dealerships.
Heinatz resides at Bena with his wife, Rebecca, who is retired from the mortgage business. They have two children and four grandchildren.