Marvin Pollow, 'world's smallest Chevrolet dealer'

Marvin Pollow, 92, of Bala Cynwyd and Delray Beach, Fla., who became famous as "the world's smallest Chevrolet dealer," died Monday, Nov. 17, of a stroke at a nursing facility in Delray Beach.

In 1953, Mr. Pollow took a job as a car salesman at Girard Chevrolet and worked his way up to general manager. On Sept. 1, 1959, taking a risk, he opened Marv Pollow Chevrolet at 119 E. Baltimore Ave. in Lansdowne, Delaware County.

Neither the 5-foot-11 Pollow nor his dealership were all that small, said his wife, Iris Berman Pollow. Mr. Pollow was looking for an advertising angle to attract attention.

"He did it because everybody advertised themselves as the biggest, the largest, the best dealer," his wife said. "He decided to be the smallest."

The ditty was crafted by the Yardis Advertising Co. in Ardmore with help from an expert in Chicago. It included a few bars sung by Pollow himself: "Who's the world's smallest Chevrolet dealer? Me, Marv Pollow."

When the jingle was suggested, "we said, 'Hey, that's a great line,' " said Raymond Rosenberg, co-owner of Yardis.

The jingle was so catchy that it ran for more than 30 years, Rosenberg told The Inquirer in 1996. Its success was predicated on the folk wisdom that everyone roots for the little guy.

The commercial turned Mr. Pollow and his business into household names. The business prospered. Later, he trademarked himself as Marv Pollow, "no-hassle" Chevrolet dealer.

During his heyday, Mr. Pollow was a member of the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and National Automobile Dealers Associations. For 23 years, he was the president of the Philadelphia Zone Chevrolet Dealers Advertising Association. He also cochaired the Automotive Division of the Allied Jewish Appeal for a year.

He retired in 1993 after a 40-year career.

The Philadelphia native enlisted in the Army in December 1942 during World War II and was honorably discharged in February 1946 with the rank of technician fourth grade. He was certified as a rifle marksman and deployed with the 129th Signal Radio Intelligence Company, serving in Europe and Germany. He was awarded the Bronze Star in connection with military operations from Dec. 1, 1944, to May 8, 1945.

In his leisure time, Mr. Pollow was a longtime member of the Bala Golf Club and a boater for 35 years on the Chesapeake Bay and off Atlantic City. He liked to entertain guests for evening cocktails on the deck of his 52-foot boat, the Sirimar.

After retiring, he volunteered as a messenger at Lankenau Hospital.

"He loved volunteering," his wife said. "It made him feel young again."

Mr. Pollow's first wife was Bernice Pollow. They divorced. She is deceased.

In addition to his wife of 42 years, he is survived by a son, John Adler; daughters Robin Fay and Robin Billmyer; and three grandchildren. Another daughter, Kathy Klein, died earlier.

Graveside services will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at Roosevelt Memorial Park, 2701 Old Lincoln Highway, Trevose. A celebration of Mr. Pollow's life will follow at the Bala Golf Club.

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