LET'S GO FOR A RIDE continued LET'S GO FOR A RIDE continued LET'S GO FOR A RIDE con't. next column LET'S GO FOR A RIDE con't. next column LET'S GO FOR A RIDE con't. p. 26 LET'S GO FOR A RIDE con't from FRONT PAGE success. From a little garage down a rural road in Randolph County, the spark ignited as Recil Cox was working hard at the battery manufacturing plant (then Union Carbide, now Eveready Battery Company) by day and in his garage by night. Working on machines came natural since keeping the farming equipment running was Recil’s job as a young man. Self-taught, Recil born in 1926, earned a sixth grade education until he had to quit school to work on the family farm in Coleridge with his many brothers and sisters. When the industrial boom hit the Southeast, Recil left the farm and found work as a mechanic in the hosiery mill in Asheboro. While at the mill, motorcycles became his passion, and soon enough friends had him working on their motorcycles. In the late 50s, when the Harley Davidson dealership in Asheboro closed, everyone started coming to Recil for motorcycle repair. As the jobs came in, Recil built a house with a basement to expand his work area. When Harley Davidson approached him about becoming a dealer, Recil answered, “I don’t know anything about business. The only thing I am is a mechanic who loves to ride.” In June 1961, Recil built a two car garage behind his house and became the Harley dealer. Recil figured, “If the Harley business fails or if I fail, then I at least have a two–car garage.” Cox tells, “The funny thing is that for the next year, he worked the seven–to–three shift at the factory and from four until whatever time as the Harley dealer.” Around 1970, Recil added onto the Harley Davidson shop in Asheboro. Cox tells, “Actually the shop class at Asheboro High School built the addition; my uncle whom we lost in a motorcycle accident was in that shop class.” Recil worked in the dealership until he was 88 years old. Clark remembers, “Every morning he would come in with his biscuit and read the newspaper. It was difficult for him to watch computerization and departmentalization of the business.” Change is truly the only constant revolution. From the first shop down the rural road to the store front, Recil’s son Gary Cox, nicknamed Poochie, continued the second generation of service. Gary’s brother, lost at age 22 in a motorcycle racing accident nicknamed him Poochie, so he kept the nickname and rolled on. An inspiration to all, Poochie was the type of man who knew no stranger. All too soon passed with colon cancer at age 56, Poochie remains an inspiration to his son Robbie. Cox remembers, “My dad’s love for not only the product and the industry but also for the people inspires me! He enjoyed the entire experience from giving to charitable organizations to seeing the excitement of a customer purchasing a Harley. Loving the family of riders, Poochie considered everyone who worked for him to be family, and he showed it in major ways. With his great personality, he really connected with people.” With Recil as the foundation of the business, and Gary as the face of the business, truly Robbie Cox is the future of the business. Cox ponders, “I would love for my legacy to be a combination of the two men who were able to work off one another. With the business, you can see a mixture of characters of those involved throughout the years from my grandfather and grandmother to my dad and mom.” With growth in business, the Cox family currently owns dealerships in Asheboro, NC; Rock Hill, SC; and now Pinehurst. Previously, the family also owned a dealership in Mansfield, PA. The Asheboro dealership claims the title of oldest continuously-family-owned dealership in North Carolina. Continuing the family legacy, all Robbie ever wanted to be was a motorcycle dealer. From training wheels, to trail bikes, and soon motorcycles, Robbie has grown up around bikes. In addition to riding, Robbie played baseball and earned a scholarship to play college ball at High Point University. With a concentration in marketing and minor in psychology, Robbie studied business. Cox informs, “Growing up in a family business, you want to put your mark on the business, evaluate your capabilities, and then surround yourself with talented people.” With a son and a daughter, Robbie tells, “My son Andrew, a senior at Asheboro, plans to pursue a business degree and join the family business. Sydney, Cox’s daughter, a sophomore also following in her Dad’s footsteps, recently committed to playing softball for NC State. Clark affirms, “Success in the business comes down to the passion of the individual; Recil worked well into his 80s and never wanted to retire; that passion continues with Robbie.” In building the brand, Cox defies all stereotypes. Cox agrees, “When we met, you probably expected to see an older gentleman with a beard, a gut, and tattoos. I’m not that guy; I am an athlete; I love my motorcycles. Just like the bank executive, doctor, or lawyer who’s a Harley Davidson rider, I can be Harley the way I want to be Harley. Last night after work, I played nine holes of golf. Removing stigmas is where Harley wants to be and where Harley needs to be.” You can literally get out of Harley what you want out of it. Clark affirms, “Harley transcends all ages; there are no boundaries.” Cox shares a good example, “If you were to attend bike night, then you would soon realize that there are no barriers! Whether you are the guy who just got off the backhoe working for the road crew, or you’re a surgeon, car salesman, or the young kid who just came back from Afghanistan—it doesn’t matter your color, background, or career. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve got a million bucks or you’re eating Ramen noodles, Harley Davidson is a brand that brings everyone together.” The universal love of the Harley has driven the brand to become the number one motorcycle in the world, period. Clark smiles, “It’s so much more than just a motorcycle. It’s a lifestyle, a culture, a way of life!” One of the top recognizable brands in the world, the Harley Davidson is made in the USA. Manufacturing is done in Wisconsin; assembly takes place in Rob Clark & Robbie Cox. p.10 The Pinehurst Gazette, Inc. No. 127
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