Edgar L. McCoubrey

Edgar Louis McCoubrey (August 29, 1904 – February 19, 2001) was a Canadian-American automobile dealer and politician who was the 10th Mayor of Palm Springs, California.

Edgar L. McCoubrey
Gerald Ford, Anne T. Hill and Edgar L. McCoubrey
Born
Edgar Louis McCoubrey

(1904-08-29)August 29, 1904
St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
DiedFebruary 19, 2001(2001-02-19) (aged 96)
Rancho Mirage, California, U.S.
NationalityCanadian
American
OccupationAutomobile dealer
Known for10th Mayor of Palm Springs, California
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Jean Lyon Daynes (1932–1947, her death)
Anne T. Hill (1990–1999, her death)

Early years

McCoubrey was born in St. John's, Newfoundland. He emigrated to the United States on August 26, 1920, and became a naturalized citizen on February 6, 1940.

Career

McCoubrey began his automotive career in 1926 with GMAC (now Ally Financial) as a credit manager. In 1936, McCoubrey and his wife, Jean Lyon Daynes McCoubrey, acquired a dealership, Rubidoux Motor Co. (now Dutton Motor Co.), in Riverside, California, where they sold Oldsmobiles, Cadillacs and GMCs.[1] The partners opened Palm Springs' Plaza Motors in 1938 with the same makes, adding Pontiac and Buick in 1996.[2][3] A famous customer who got away was Elvis Presley. One day Elvis, dressed in his all black signature style, including black silk shirt, black leather jacket, and black wrap-around sunglasses, strolled into Plaza Motors and demanded a black Cadillac on the spot. "We explained that we didn't keep black cars in stock because of the desert climate," McCoubrey said. "He wanted it that day. We could order one for him, but he didn't want to wait."[4]

Politics
Anne T. Hill, Edgar L. McCoubrey, George H. W. Bush and Barbara Bush

McCoubrey was the 10th Mayor of Palm Springs, California, April 19, 1966 – April 24, 1967. He was chairman of a rally hosted for Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956.[5] As Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce President, McCoubrey received President John F. Kennedy during a 1963 visit.[6] McCoubrey was a Delegate to the Republican National Convention from California, 1972.[7]

Death

McCoubrey died in Rancho Mirage in 2001. The Edgar McCoubrey Memorial Scholarship Award was established in his memory.[8]

References
  1. Rubidoux Motors buys site on Main. Riverside Daily Press (Riverside, California) Tuesday, September 26, 1939 p. 3
  2. Apfelbaum, Sharon. Plaza Motors celebrates 60th birthday in Palm Springs. The Public Record. Palm Desert: Nov 20, 1998. Vol. 22, Iss. 47; p. 5
  3. Allan Hornbeck. Edgar McCoubrey. Automotive News. April 2, 2001, p. 21
  4. Ray Mungo. Palm Springs Babylon: Sizzling Stories from the Desert Playground of the Stars. Macmillan, 1993, p. 135
  5. Eisenhower rally set at convention. Los Angeles Times – Mar 20, 1956
  6. President Due to Arrive in Palm Springs. Los Angeles Times. September 28, 1963
  7. The Political Graveyard, Index to politicians
  8. Young people receive scholarships for the future. Desert Sun. May 1, 2005.
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