By STEVEN JUPITER
PITTSFORD—Gordon and Meghan Fox have been running Pittsford Automotive Center (PAC) on Route 7 for going on seven years now. In that time, they’ve developed a reputation for reliable used cars and auto repair. But most folks know them as the “funny sign people in Pittsford.” It’s impossible not to chuckle at their car-related quips as you drive by. Some are legitimately witty; some definitely veer into “dad joke” territory. But they all put a smile on drivers’ faces.
“We started putting signs out a few years ago and it caught on,” said Meghan in the office at the center. A former teacher at Barstow in Chittenden, she’s been the main salesperson at PAC since March of 2022. “We come up with some of them…people also drop off notes and make suggestions,” she added.
“I was at a dental appointment the other day,” said Gordon, “and the dentist started telling me how much they liked our signs.”
A recent sign, for example, said “Before the invention of the wheel, everything was a drag.”
The day before a recent April Fool’s, the sign read “Free Cars Tomorrow!” PAC got 60-70 calls inquiring about the free cars and a dozen people stopping in to get theirs. One man burst in the door and announced, “I’m here for my free car!” When he realized he’d been made an April Fool, he said, “I’m an idiot!” and left.
THE PITTSFORD AUTO Center has developed a lo- cal following for the funny signs it puts out in front of its shop on Route 7 in Pittsford village. They often give folks a chuckle as they drive through town. Photo by Dale Christie
Their sense of humor, however, hasn’t pleased everyone. When the weather turns warm, the Foxes often put out a sign that says, “Summer’s here…we have topless models.” Last summer, that sign prompted an angry anonymous message on their office voicemail. Their response? A sign that read, “Calm down, Karen, it was about Jeeps.”
During the pandemic, the sign advertised “free toilet paper” with every car purchase and during the recent price spike for eggs, they offered a dozen with every car. They actually held up their end of the bargain on those “jokes,” too.
Gordon and Meghan live in Pittsford with their children Charlie (10), Josephine (8), and Fiona (3). You can follow them on TikTok: @fiveonfourwheels. It’s a pleasure to have neighbors with a sense of humor. Keep us smiling, guys!
