The Putnam family name has been synonymous with new car dealerships and used cars in the San Francisco Bay Area since Joe Putnam began his business in Burlingame, CA. Joe was born on a small farm in South Dakota in 1934, he found himself growing up in one of the more troubling economic periods, the Great Depression. Joe began his career in the auto industry in 1958 when he became a partner in his own Buick, Cadillac, and GMC dealership in Devils Lake, North Dakota. Seven years later Joe moved to California and opened Putnam Buick, purchased from Charlie Howard, most famous for his ownership of the racehorse, Seabiscuit. Joe expanded in 1987 to include the Putnam Mazda dealership. Soon after his son Marty becamer a Charter Dealer for Putnam Lexus in Redwood City. His son Kent operates dealerships Putnam Toyota and Putnam Volvo and Putnam GM. More recently Putnam Automotive purchased Ron Price Subaru in San Francisco, now operating in the same location on Ofarrell St as Putnam Subaru Service Center with Subaru sales and service Burlingame as well. Dealerships Putnam Dodge Chrysler Jeep sales and service has opened in Burlingame with a Putnam Jeep Dodge Chrysler Service Center opening on Bush St at Van Ness in San Francisco.