Ron Tonkin, a Portland businessman and national industry leader who began his career at his father's used-car lot before launching what became one of the state's largest dealership chains, died Friday of end-stage renal failure. He was 82.

The father and grandfather was a recognizable figure to Oregonians thanks to the commercials he and his sons helped write and often starred in over the years for his 17-store chain. He also thrilled in introducing unknown products -- even when at times they brought jabs from others -- including electric bikes, one of the first Honda compacts and the state’s first Ferrari franchise.

In early 2006, Tonkin offered up his thoughts on how his business had prospered for so many decades. When other dealers left the lot, he said, they might enjoy golfing, skiing or flying a plane. He and his family went in search of more cars, whether that was organizing annual rallies around the state, racing or finding rare models for his personal car museum.

That, he said at the time, is how he came up with his company's motto: "For the love of cars."

At last count, Tonkin’s museum held 45 cars, said his son Brad Tonkin. His personal favorites were a 1967 Ferrari 330 GTS and a 1985 288 GTO, the last of that model to roll off the assembly line. Founder Enzo Ferrari made sure Tonkin received that last car after hearing his first wife, Nancy Tonkin, had died.

Tonkin came by his passion at a young age. Born May 4, 1931, to Ethel and Ed Tonkin, who operated Tonkin Motors on Southeast Grand Avenue, Tonkin attended Laurelhurst Elementary School and Lincoln High. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1952 with a bachelor of arts degree in business administration.

He served as an officer in the U.S. Army Transportation Corps during the Korean War and after his service, went to work for his dad. The family, including his older brother, Marv, had operated a used-car lot for years, but eventually landed a Kaiser-Frazer franchise. The ritzy new line gave Tonkin his first true taste of salesmanship.

Tonkin recalled how he would pull one wheel off one of the cars and drive along streetcar tracks to show it could run on three.

Ready to set out on his own, Tonkin aimed for a Chevrolet franchise and took out a $100,000 loan for a lot with a gas station. In mid-1960 at age 29, he became the youngest Chevy dealer in America.

He sold cars and pumped gas from dawn till dark, he recalled, even on weekends. Those first seven years he took off only seven days off -- all of them Christmases.

His sons remember how Tonkin pestered Honda for years in hopes of selling one of the Japanese manufacturer’s little cars. When he finally became one of the first dealerships in North America to receive the franchise, he was skewered by a local newspaper columnist.

Not long after, his sons said, he had the last laugh.

Being a native Oregonian, Tonkin valued the environment, too. He tried selling electric bikes decades before they were a common sight in Portland. He served on the TriMet board, championed light rail and later pushed manufacturers toward more efficient standards through his work with the National Automobile Dealers Association.

By 1986, Business Week named the Ron Tonkin Family of Dealerships one of seven of the largest "super-dealers" in the United States, with an estimated $100 million in sales.

As his dealership chain grew, so did Tonkin's involvement on the national scene. In 1989, he was named chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association. Industry experts say the timing couldn't have been better.

"He came in when the industry was in need of change and he was the impetus," said Greg Remensperger, executive vice president of the Oregon Auto Dealers Association.

Remensperger said Tonkin was best known for creating a group of dealers known as The Roughriders. The group stood up to manufacturers to create a more balanced relationship and set up franchise laws to protect dealers that are now common in most states, Remensperger said.

“It took someone who had gumption to stand up and fight for what was best for the industry, not just what was best for themselves. That was Ron.”

In his later years, Tonkin took on more charitable duties with the association. He helped create the industry association’s foundation and through it, supported causes dear to his heart, including the Jewish Federation of Portland and Cedar Sinai Park in Portland.

“He was a pillar in the automotive industry,” fellow veteran dealer Bob Lanphere said. “He was on the cutting edge of dealers’ rights from the manufacturers and he always carried the flag for the large dealer and the small dealer.”

Tonkin is survived by his wife, Marcy; sons Barry, Ed and Brad (Michelle); grandchildren Adam, Nancy, Alex, Brendan and Celia. He was preceded in death by his brother Marv Tonkin and sister Suzanne Miller.

Arrangements have not yet been made for a memorial service. For details, the family suggests contacting Holman's Funeral Service.

- Laura Gunderson

Molly Young contributed to this report.

