The Burns tradition dates back to July 15, 1923, when C.W.
Burns began selling Chevrolets in Pageland, South Carolina. In 1926, he moved the
dealership to Kershaw and continued to build his business on a philosophy of fairness,
customer confidence and honest service after the sale.
In 1927, Mr. Burns opened a branch dealership in Lancaster, South Carolina. Some years
later Burns turned over the Lancaster dealership to his son-in-law F.S. McWhirter, who in
turn subsequently passed the business to his son Gary McWhirter.
When the Lancaster operation transition was completed, C.W. Burns, Sr. sent his own son,
C. Weldon Burns, Jr., to open a dealership in Rock Hill. In 1968, the younger Burns moved
the dealership to its present location on Cherry Road. Sixteen years later, in 1984,
Weldon Burns promoted his son Claude W. Burns III to manager, but he remains active in the
operation.
About the same time, Weldon Burns opened a Chevrolet-Oldsmobile, Chrysler-Plymouth-Dodge
dealership in Gaffney, South Carolina. Another son, Sam Burns, currently manages that
operation under the supervision of his father.
Most recently, in 1994, Burns Automotive added a Ford-Mercury dealership in Lancaster that
is operated by Weldon Burns in partnership with his sons.
For over seventy years, the Burns name has been associated with fine automobiles and
excellent customer service. Achieving customer satisfaction and building customer loyalty
remain the goal of Burns Automotive. |
