Tucker v. Central Motors, Inc.

57 So. 2d 40, 220 La. 510, 1952 La. LEXIS 1102
CourtSupreme Court of Louisiana
DecidedJanuary 14, 1952
DocketNo. 40041
StatusPublished
Cited by7 cases

This text of 57 So. 2d 40 (Tucker v. Central Motors, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Supreme Court of Louisiana primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Tucker v. Central Motors, Inc., 57 So. 2d 40, 220 La. 510, 1952 La. LEXIS 1102 (La. 1952).

Opinion

HAMITER, Justice.

In this cause the plaintiff, Heyward S. Tucker, demands principally a rescission of the sale to him by the defendant, Central Motors, Inc., of a Dodge automobile and a refund of the purchase price paid of $2,370.04.

The petition, among other things, alleges: “That petitioner purchased said automobile only because he believed and relied upon the representations of defendant and its employees that said automobile was the latest 1949 model; that had petitioner known that a newer styled automobile was to be displayed and sold as the new model Dodge for 1949, within such a short time after he supposedly purchased the latest 1949 automobile, which was an older and different car than the now advertised newest car, he would not have made said purchase ; that the consent of petitioner to the contract was induced by said false repre- ■ sentations of the employees of defendant company.”

In the alternative plaintiff seeks a reduction of $500 in the purchase price of the automobile.

The district court, after a trial of the merits, rejected both demands. This appeal followed.

In the summer of 1948, according to the record, plaintiff became interested in purchasing a new black four door Dodge sedan, and to accomplish that end he had his name placed on a lengthy waiting list maintained by the defendant, Central Motors, Inc., a Shreveport automobile dealer operating under a franchise from the Dodge Division of the Chrysler Corporation. Thereafter, from time to time he made inquiry of James Beck, a salesman for defendant, as to when he might expect a car.

On February 4, 1949, Beck telephoned plaintiff and 'informed him that he could obtain delivery on the automobile desired. The next morning (a Saturday) plaintiff, accompanied by his wife, went to defendant’s place of business; and, after examining the car and talking with Beck, he [514]*514entered into an agreement to purchase, giving at the same time his draft for $250 payable to defendant on February 9, 1949, the designated delivery date. On the face of the draft was written: “For deposit on 1949 Dodge Custom 4 Dr Sedan.”

Plaintiff returned on February 9, 1949, paid the balance ($2,120.04) of the agreed purchase price, and received the automobile. In the accompanying invoice the car was described as 1 — 1949 Dodge D-24 Custom 4 Door Sedan, Color — Black, Serial No. 31240303, Motor No. D24-641162.

Meanwhile, about the latter part of December, 1948, the Chrysler Corporation mailed to -all Dodge dealers a bulletin announcing that the D-24 series, which had been manufactured and distributed since December 1945 (and to which plaintiff’s car belonged), would be replaced during the early part of 1949 by two new series known as D-29 and D-30. Another bulletin went out under date of January 19, 1949, informing the dealers that shipments of the new models would commence during the month of February, 1949, but that the first cars shipped were to be placed on display for several days before being offered for sale.

On Sunday night, February 6, 1949, at the direction of the Chrysler Corporation, certain officials and employees of defendant went to New Orleans to attend a divisional meeting. Some expected to see the new styled Dodges while there; however, James Beck, a member of the group and the salesman with whom plaintiff dealt, testified that he did not know the exact purpose of the trip.

At the divisional meeting, held February 7, 1949, automobiles of the new series (D-29 and D-30) were viewed by the various dealers and their representatives. The cars differed materially in design from those of the D-24 series, although mechanically very little change had been made. Also, announcement was there made of the date (February 25, 1949) fixed by the Chrysler Corporation for the national showing of the new cars.

It was after the New Orleans meeting when plaintiff (February 9, 1949) paid the balance of the agreed purchase price and received delivery of the D-24 Dodge. He was not told by defendant’s representatives of the manufacturing of the new and different series, concerning which they were fully aware although without definite information as to when the cars would be available for marketing. Neither did he inquire about any prospective new model.

On February 10, 1949, the following day, an article appeared in the Shreveport Journal (an afternoon daily paper) stating that representatives of the defendant had returned from New Orleans “where they attended a dealer preview of the completely new-styled Dodge cars, the first models of which will be publicly displayed at Central Motors, Inc., Lake at Market, Friday, February 25.” Plaintiff read the item, and on the following day went to defendant’s place of business. He expressed doubt as [516]*516to whether or not he had received a 1949 automobile, and requested that he be given a bill of sale evidencing his purchase. The sales manager executed the bill of sale and at the same time assured plaintiff that his was a 1949 car. The automobile’s description in this instrument was almost identical with that contained in the above mentioned invoice.

On February 12, 1949, plaintiff addressed a letter to the Chrysler Corporation of Detroit, Michigan, in which he said in part:

“On February 9, 1949, I bought a new Dodge from Central Motors, Inc., Shreveport, Louisiana. This? car was sold to me as a 1949 model. My bill of sale, register of certificate, and check I gave to pay for it all show I bought a 1949 model. Several friends have told me that my car is a 1948 model.

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“The motor No. on my car is D24-641162, Serial No. 31250303. Please advise me what model I own. After I hear from you and if you advise me I own a 1948 Dodge, I will contact the Central Motors, Inc., and see what they will do.”

In reply the corporation wrote: “We have not, since the war, designated any of our cars as of a particular year model. To meet certain state license requirements, we have, however, designated them as of a particular years series. The information you request, should therefore be secured from your state license bureau. However, we may advise that, according to our records, Dodge car, serial number 31250303, may for registration purposes, be considered as of the 1949 series.”

The new series D-29 and D-30 cars were displayed in Shreveport on February-25, 1949. But it was some time in March before they were available to defendant for marketing.

On March 30, 1949, plaintiff’s attorneys sent a letter to defendant, the pertinent portions of which were as follows:

“We have been employed by Mr. Hey-ward S. Tucker, who purchased an automobile from your concern on or about February 8th of this year.

“Mr. Tucker tells us he was assured he was being sold the newest 1949 model, whereas, according to information received by him, he was sold a 1948 model. Incidentally, this apparently took place just one or two days before you placed the streamlined 1949 model on the floor for demonstration purposes. * * *

“This is to request your advice as to what you propose to do about the misrepresentations of the car sold Mr. Tucker. It is not our desire to cause any unnecessary expense or embarrassment about the matter and suggest your 'immediate cooperation.”

Shortly thereafter plaintiff drove the car to defendant’s service department for the purpose of having a leaky windshield repaired, instructing that he. not be called until “it is fixed”.

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57 So. 2d 40, 220 La. 510, 1952 La. LEXIS 1102, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/tucker-v-central-motors-inc-la-1952.