Shultz's Shop Coat

Pictured is a rare three-pocket Reed Brothers Dodge-Plymouth service station shop coat made by Anderson Bros. of Danville, Virginia. The coat was previously worn by Marvin Shultz, Manager of Reed Brothers full-service Gulf Gasoline and Service Station when it was located at the intersection of Veirs Mill Road and Rockville Pike. Marvin started working at Reed Brothers in 1941 and worked for 43 of the company’s 97 years before retiring in 1984 as a new car salesman. 

The first Plymouth automobile was introduced on July 7, 1928. Plymouth was Chrysler Corporation’s first entry in the low-priced field, which at the time was already dominated by Chevrolet and Ford. Beginning in 1930, Plymouths were sold by all three Chrysler divisions (Chrysler, DeSoto, and Dodge). Plymouths were sold at Reed Brothers from 1930-1969.

Early uniforms like this one were created to protect an employee’s arms, legs, and underclothes from getting grease, oil, and other automotive-related by-products on them. Similar styles of this uniform are still seen in many garages today, sometimes including an embroidered name patch on one side and a brand logo patch on the opposite side of the shirt.

The coat is made of herringbone twill with dark blue cotton collar and cuffs. There is one large chest pocket with “Shultz” sewn on in a thread embroidery. The coat has two large front hip pockets, hidden snap buttons on the center line, and snaps on the cuffs. It also features a matching belt with side waist buckle and side vent openings. The metal buttons are covered with cloth to prevent scratching cars, as is the placement of belt buckles on the side of the waist rather than the front. The coat is in excellent condition considering it is 80+ years old.