Moving Cars

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Aug 1

Brandon Luster helps move a portion of the famous Sunset Used Cars sign into a moving truck this morning on East Third St. in The Dalles. Luster is with Ramsey Sign Company of Portland that came to assist David Benko in preserving the 1930’s era neon sign.

By Tom Peterson

The Dalles, Ore., Aug. 1, 2025 — Ramsey Sign Company and David Benko of the National Neon Sign Museum were moving “CARS” this morning on East 3rd St. in The Dalles.

Not the kind you drive - rather the kind that shine.

In an effort to preserve the 1930s era neon sign at the corner of Jefferson and Third streets, Benko and Ramsey teamed up to remove the historic Sunset Motors Used Car sign from the city-owned property so that it could be stored and restored and hopefully reset somewhere here in The Dalles at a later time.

Sunset Motor Co was owned by Carl Steifel decades ago, according to Sam Woolsey. of The Dalles.

The sign is being moved as the city plans to construct a public parking lot on the site with 23 parking spots.

Estimated cost of the parking development - property purchase and construction - is around $960,000.

Benko swung into action this morning to save the classic sign, which was also the intention of City Council when it approved the parking project back in April 2023.

David Benko removes neon outlines of the letters from the sign before it was loaded into the moving truck.

“You don’t see these signs anymore,” Benko said this morning, noting the glowing neon signs with the massive letters that used to glow in most towns are disappearing from the American landscape.

Work began around 9 a.m. this morning as Ramsey Sign employees began the work of removing straps and bindings that have helped hold the Sunset Used Cars sign in place for multiple decades.

Benko said he rented a U-Haul truck this morning and received help from friend Anthony to help him take the sign apart and get it loaded. He intends to store it temporarily in Portland.

Benko has been instrumental in saving multiple signs in The Dalles area as buildings are being updated and renovated in the downtown core. For instance, he captured some great parts of the Oregon Motor Motel sign when it was upgraded by Mid Columbia Community Action Council and converted into housing.