The Ruge's Story...

1935...Joseph Ruge opens a one pump Sunoco fueling station and limited repair facility
across from the Beekman Arms in Rhinebeck NY, Shortly thereafter, at the behest of
his customers, he began selling cars. Joseph's brother, Herman, owned an Oldsmobile
Dealership in the Bronx, which was originally the source for new inventory. Later in 1935,
Joseph became an authorized Oldsmobile Dealer. Cars would be shipped via railway to
the Rhinecliff Train Station. Joseph would unload the vehicles from the boxcars himself.

1938...As business increased, Joseph moved to a 3 bay garage at 6444 Montgomery Street.
At first, customers felt he moved to far out of town. (1/4 mile) The sales and repair facility
continued to expand as the area and demand grew.
Lewis Ruge was born in December of 1938.

1949...Joseph expanded the 3 bay service facilities
and added the showroom for the growing line of Oldsmobile's.

1950's...This decade includes the addition of The GMC Truck
line. Additionally, Sales, Service and the Parts and Accessories
business continued to grow. Joseph prided himself on making sure
his customers received the highest levels of service. As such,
Ruge's became recognized as the Hudson Valley's premier automotive center.

1963...After college and 3 years as an officer in the Air Force,
Lewis Ruge joins his father and becomes a partner in Ruge's Automotive.

1970...Lewis, seeing a market for a smaller, economy car, becomes one of
the countries first Subaru Dealers. The first vehicles were the 360 Series,
small vans and 2 doors with a 25hp, 2 cylinder, 2 cycle engine...
not compatible with what Americans had become accustomed to. Then
came the front wheel drive FF-1, a 2 or 4 door passenger vehicle with
a 4 cylinder boxer engine, not unlike Subaru's Boxer engines of today.

1985...Lewis adds a Chrysler Dodge Jeep Dealership.

1989...Lewis starts a wholesale parts and accessories business
in Red Hook NY. This facility employs approximately 40 people
and has 20 parts delivery vehicles on the road, servicing the
entire Hudson Valley.

Present Day...In 2005, Lewis purchased The Funk and Gallup GMC Dealership
in Copake NY. This facility sells and services Medium and Light Duty GMC
trucks. The Chrysler Dodge Jeep Dealership is on the corner of Routes 9
and 9G in Rhinebeck.  The Parts Warehouse and Distribution Center remains
in Red Hook. Due to General Motors discontinuation of Oldsmobile, the Subaru
Dealership continues in the heart of Rhinebeck at Joseph Ruge's original 1938
location. Lewis Ruge's experience, deep roots within the community and daily
presence insures that the 70 year tradition of excellence in customer service
remains the highest priority within Ruge's Automotive.