Ella Atchinson of Van Buren Township gave her father a vintage license plate for Father’s Day. She bought it on eBay as a special surprise because the 1971 date matched his birth year.
Craig Atchinson, owner of Atchinson Ford in Belleville, said it came in its original Atchinson Ford holder, but carried a surprise on the back — the name of Craig’s grandfather, Norman “Dutch” Atchinson, who established the dealership in 1961.
Craig said it was an awesome surprise to flip the old plate over and see his grandfather’s name on the back.
Norman Atchinson began his automotive career as a Pontiac dealer before acquiring the Ford franchise in Belleville in 1961. The business has remained in the family, with Craig’s father joining in 1968, and Craig himself starting in 1995.
“I have stories of him coming in and changing flat tires on the side of the road for people,” Craig Atchinson told Channel 4 News, in describing his grandfather. “He was just a great guy, a great dealer, and a good role model.”
How the plate got from Belleville to a Mississippi company that wholesales license plates on eBay is unknown. Ella called the company she bought it from but they were unable to track its journey.
The Atchinsons next will decide how to display this special piece of family history.
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