Theodore Robins Ford: a family tradition

In 1903, Henry Ford envisioned that he would one day “build a car

for the great multitude,” and on June 16, 1903 he did just that. In

1908, he introduced the Model T at $950, and it became an immediate

success. After installing the moving assembly lines in his factory in

1913, Ford became the world’s biggest car manufacturer.

Twenty years later, in 1921, right in Balboa near the Balboa

Pavilion, Theodore Robins Sr. started an auto repair shop. He had

just returned from the service where he had been working as a pilot

during World War I. His experience as a pilot and his enjoyment for

working on things inspired him to open up his own repair shop. In

1923, he invested in his own Ford franchise to help accomplish the

goal that Ford had envisioned 20 years earlier.

In the 1930s, Theodore Robins Ford moved into Newport Beach across

from what is now the Crab Cooker. Later, they moved into a new space

at 3100 West Coast Highway in Newport Beach. They made their final

move in 1966 to their present location at 2060 Harbor Boulevard in

Costa Mesa.

Theodore (Bob) Robins Jr. watched and grew up as the business

continued to grow and mature. He spent time during high school and

college working at the dealership developing his skills in different

departments. He dedicated his summers and holidays to working in the

lube shop, the parts department, body shop, and sales office of new

and used cars. After graduating from Newport Harbor High School, he

finished Loyola University and went on to attend the Ford Marketing

Institute, where the intricacies of each facet of running a

successful dealership are taught.

Now years later, history has manifested itself in our own

community as Theodore Robins Ford completes its 81st anniversary in

the business this year. The current chairman of the board and son of

the founder, Theodore (Bob) Robins, Jr. continues the legacy of the

dealership along with part owners and sons, Jim, the current

operations manager, and Dave, the assistant used car manager. His

daughter, Sarah, also works for a Ford and Dodge dealership in Coeur

d’Alene, Idaho as the operations manager.

Theodore (Bob) Robins, Jr. attributes the success of Theodore

Robins Ford to having the dedication and love for selling cars. He

also believes that the success of his company relies on its

employees; so he believes in surrounding himself with capable and

effective personnel. He enjoys all the different facets of selling

cars and has always loved building and racing cars, too. Having been

around almost as long as Ford has been making cars, the dealership is

itself evidence of the Robins’ motto: Experience Counts. Theodore

(Bob) Robins, Jr. finds his job challenging yet rewarding and he

loves working with people. Working alongside his father, he has held

dear the mission statement set forward years ago. Theodore Robins

Ford is dedicated to “treating every customer as a potential lifetime

purchaser, communicating a professional image that embraces honesty

and concern for customer wants and needs.”

Theodore (Bob) Robins Jr. believes the company was founded on

[his] father’s belief in the integrity and values that are

exemplified by the free enterprise system. His father was a firm

believer in demonstrating civic responsibility through community

service. Theodore (Bob) Robins Jr. has continued this ideal and

believes in giving back to the community. He has served on the board

of directors of Hoag Hospital’s 552 Club Support Group, the Newport

Harbor and Costa Mesa Chambers of Commerce and the YMCA board. He has

held positions such as a past president of the Exchange Club of

Newport Harbor, a past president of the Ford Dealer Advertising

Association of Southern California and the past president of the

Motor Car Dealers Association of Southern California, representing

all dealer lines. Recently, he was elected to serve as the president

of the Costa Mesa Motor Car Dealers Association.

Having been active in the community, a resident of the area, and

an alumni of Newport Harbor High School, Theodore (Bob) Robins Jr.

has seen the growth of the city and the impacts of technology not

only on his segment of industry but on society. There’s been

tremendous amount of growth and wonderful things being done for the

city and the schools. “Technology is changing all the time and it has

definitely been for the better,” he said.

With the approach of the New Year, Ford is preparing for the

release of their new 2005 models. New cars to look forward are the

Five Hundred, the re-designed Mustang, the Hybrid Escape, and the

all-new Freestyle. The Ford GTS will be available in November but it

is only in limited production. These cars all provide top safety

features, lots of space and cater to the different tastes and needs

of the customer. Theodore (Bob) Robins Jr.’s advice to car buyers is:

Find out your needs. Look at the car you want but at the same time

keep in mind your budget. That way you can enjoy your car and you

aren’t saddled with payments.

When compared to the cars of the 1920s, the cars of today have

come a long way. Modern automobiles are much more fuel efficient

leading to less pollution, and they have many more safety features.

It’s amazing how far they’ve come in 80 years, and only more great

things can be expected in the next 80 years as technology continues

to re-defy its limits.

Hopefully, the Theodore Robins Ford will be around in another 80

years, so future generations in the community can look back and see

how far technology has taken them.

Theodore Robins Ford is located at 2060 Harbor Blvd. in Costa

Mesa. Call (800) 494-0623 and visit their website at

www.robinsford.com.