After having served in the Air Force in 1945 during World War II, Mr. Voyles began selling Desoto/Plymouth automobiles and within a year was promoted to Sales Manager. After five years in that position a bleeding ulcer made him think about starting his own business. “I worked really long hours and finally had to have twelve pints of blood,” said Mr. Voyles. “The doctor did not think I was going to live and I was only twenty-eight years old.” In 1952, Mr. Voyles opened his first used car lot in East Point, Georgia, wanting to provide good, reliable cars to the public. Working for himself turned out to be a lot less stressful, and after five years of owning a successful used car lot, Mr. Voyles obtained his first new car franchise, American Motors.