About Us

Early Years

Mel Farr’s story began with long odds and extraordinary determination. Born prematurely in Beaumont, Texas, he was so small that his mother often recalled bringing him home from the hospital in a shoebox. From an early age, Mel developed a strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit while helping his father operate a small automobile lot located on Potts Street—essentially the family’s front lawn. Those early experiences instilled in him the values of hard work, perseverance, and service that would later define his life and career.

As a young athlete, Mel suffered a devastating leg injury that many believed would end his football career before it had truly begun. With the support of his father and local physicians, his leg was reset and healed, though not properly, leaving him with a noticeable deformity. Despite competing with a leg that remained misaligned for much of his life, Mel refused to let adversity define him. Through determination, resilience, and an unwavering competitive spirit, he overcame what many considered an insurmountable obstacle and went on to achieve extraordinary athletic success.

His journey stands as a testament to perseverance, proving that limitations often exist only in the minds of others. Years later, corrective surgery would finally address the injury, but by then Mel had already demonstrated that true strength comes not from physical perfection, but from the courage to pursue greatness despite life’s challenges.

Mel graduated from segregated Hebert High School, where he lettered in football, basketball, baseball, and track. Excelling across multiple sports, he earned All-State honors in both football and track, attracting national attention at a time when opportunities for Black athletes remained extremely limited. Faced with the choice of attending a Historically Black College or migrating West or North, Mel chose west and accepted a scholarship to UCLA. That decision marked the beginning of a remarkable journey—one that would change the trajectory of his life, open doors for future generations, and lay the foundation for a legacy that continues to inspire today.

UCLA

Mel Farr started his career at Santa Monica City College before transferring to UCLA in 1964. While Mel was playing there, the rumor was not to be late to the game, because at any moment he could return a kickoff or take the first play from scrimmage for a touchdown. He was a man among boys, and UCLA could not wait for him to become a Bruin.

Farr joined UCLA in 1965 and immediately made an impact. That season, Farr and Gary Beban formed the core of a UCLA backfield dubbed the “Dream Backfield” in Sports Illustrated. Farr was the starting halfback for Tommy Prothro’s Bruins team that compiled an 8–2–1 record, won the Athletic Association of Western Universities championship, defeated No. 1 ranked Michigan State in the 1966 Rose Bowl, and finished No. 4 in the final AP Poll.

Farr totaled 1,001 yards from scrimmage in 1965 and eight touchdowns. In 1966, he continued his success as the starting halfback for a UCLA team that compiled a 9–1 record and finished No. 5 in the final AP Poll. He totaled 1,034 yards from scrimmage, scored 11 touchdowns, finished seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting, earned consensus first-team All-American honors, and was later inducted into the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988.

Detroit Lions

Mel Farr was selected in the first round, seventh overall, by the Detroit Lions. As a rookie in 1967, he rushed for 197 yards against the Minnesota Vikings, led the Lions in both rushing yardage and receptions, and was voted Offensive Rookie of the Year. His teammate Lem Barney was voted Defensive Rookie of the Year, creating a milestone for the Detroit Lions franchise that remains historically significant.

In 1971, Farr, along with fellow Lion teammate Lem Barney, sang background vocals on Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” which earned Farr a Gold Record. During the off-season, Mel attended the University of Detroit to complete his undergraduate degree and worked at Ford Motor Company. He retired from football in 1974 at the young age of 29 and transitioned to entrepreneurship.

Mel Farr Automotive Group

That transition led Mel Farr to a three-times-bankrupt auto dealership in Oak Park, Michigan. Known as Cook-Farr Ford, the dealership was recognized in its second year as No. 18 on the Black Enterprise Top 100 Black-Owned Businesses list, with sales of $9.8 million. At the age of 33, Mel Farr was the youngest member of the group honored at the White House by President Carter.

In 1999, Mel Farr Automotive Group became the largest African American-owned business and the 33rd largest auto dealership in the country. Farr’s civic and philanthropic contributions are still felt today. He started the Black Ford Lincoln Mercury Dealer Association, later the Ford Lincoln Mercury Dealer Association, and helped launch the Ford Lincoln Mercury Minority Program, which expanded opportunities for minority dealer candidates. He remains an emeritus board member of the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers and is considered a pioneer in the automotive sector through his memorable Mel Farr “Superstar” commercials.