Colors, Cars, Cannon Fuel Capitalism

So you want to start a used car dealership but you’re not sure how to go about it? Take note of the folks at Roscoe Auto Sales in North Hollywood.

First paint your building pink. Not just any pink--a loud, gaudy, fluorescent pink. Then trim it in black, with a little fluorescent green highlight. To ensure that your establishment will be visible at night, ring the building with neon pink and green lights.

And to top it off, find a human cannon machine and strategically place this herculean piece of circus equipment in front of your car lot, visible to all passersby.

“We do whatever it takes to bring people in here,” said Lee Vosk, general manager at Roscoe Auto Sales.

Roscoe Auto Sales, in the 12000 block of Roscoe Boulevard, opened in January, 1990. Since then, owner Spiro Miras has stretched the limits of his imagination and of the color spectrum to attract customers.

In addition to the blaring colors and the human cannon, two antique double-decker buses from London sit on the lot. One, partially painted fluorescent green, advertises cars for sale. The other is fluorescent pink and is being renovated to serve as a waiting area for customers.

Without a doubt, the human cannon machine generates the most discussion.

“It turns a lot of heads,” Vosk said.

“Everybody who see it comments on it. . . . We start getting to know the people and see if they have any car needs.”