When Ferdinand A. Valenti Sr. started his auto repair business in Wallingford on the corner of North Colony and Wrinn streets ... in 1927, he probably never dreamed of the journey the business would take over the next 4 generations and 90 years. As a small garage, Valenti Auto first sold Nash and Lafayette automobiles and International trucks. The business survived the great depression of 1929 and began selling Dodge and Plymouth in 1938. Then came World War II. From 1941 to 1946 no new vehicles were made, so Valenti survived on used car sales and service. Then 1955 brought the opportunity to sell Chevrolet, which became the bestselling brand in the United States during the 60s and 70s. Vietnam came and went and in the 1960s, Ferdinand’s sons, Fred Jr. and Robert took over the business. In the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, General Motors and Chevrolet almost sold 1 of every 2 cars on the road! The Valenti's were known for doing business on their word and a handshake. They added a new showroom and added onto the shop. Valenti weathered the oil embargo of the 70s, the Savings and Loan debacle of the 80s. In the 70s Fred and Robert bought another Chevrolet – Oldsmobile Dealership in Mystic, Connecticut and Robert moved there to run it. Fred’s oldest son, also named Fred, started working at the dealership as part of the 3rd generation to work at the stores, he later bought his own dealership which has since expanded to 4 stores. Fred’s second son David started working in 1986 and later bought the Wallingford Chevrolet dealership in 1999. Robert's only son and 4th child, Robert Alan Valenti Jr. continued to build the stores in Mystic, CT Westerly, RI and Old Saybrook, CT. The dealership thrived through the nineties selling trucks during the housing booms and used cars during the recent credit crisis. The Valenti dealerships owned by various members of the Valenti Family 3rd generation currently represent 18 brands of automobiles across Connecticut and Rhode Island. read more