202 U.S. Hwy 52 S Guttenberg, IA 52052-7702
Brown's Guttenberg Ford
This is where Brown's began.
One Ford franchise, one Mississippi River town, and more than 60 years of family-owned dealership history.
Brown's story started in Guttenberg in 1964. The business has grown to serve more Iowa communities, but the idea behind it remains familiar: know the people you serve, give them a straight answer, and be here after the sale. Today, Brown's Guttenberg Ford helps drivers from Guttenberg, Clayton County, northeast Iowa, and nearby Wisconsin with Ford vehicles, used inventory, service, parts, and everyday ownership questions.
Choose a starting point
You do not need to know every detail before reaching out. Start with the part you know.
Explore Ford trucks, SUVs, performance vehicles, vans, hybrids, and electric options.
Shop used cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs from Ford and many other manufacturers.
Find maintenance, repair, Ford parts, Pickup & Delivery, and Mobile Service information.
Ask a vehicle question, request additional photos, or get help planning your visit.
The first Brown's dealership
In 1964, Dave Brown was awarded the Ford franchise in Guttenberg, Iowa.
At that time, he was the youngest person to be awarded a Ford franchise. The distinction matters, but what came afterward matters more: a dealership that became part of the community, relationships that carried from one vehicle to the next, and a family business that continued growing without forgetting the town where it started.
Guttenberg is not simply the oldest location in the Brown's group. It is the place where the family's approach to doing business took shape: listen carefully, keep your word, and treat the next conversation as more important than making the quickest sale.
Family-owned since 1964
Brown's grew from this Ford store into a family of dealerships serving several Iowa communities. Each location has its own people and local history, while Guttenberg remains the beginning of the larger Brown's story.
Forest Brown represents the next generation of family leadership. He remains hands-on, listens to employees and guests, and works to keep long-term decisions grounded in what the stores and communities actually need.
A larger group can provide more inventory access and shared resources. The standard here is that those resources should support the personal accountability of a small-town dealership, not replace it.
Leadership you can reach
Family leadership and day-to-day dealership experience work together here. Forest and Eric stay close to the people, departments, and decisions that shape each guest's experience.
Dealer Principal
Forest is the second generation carrying forward the business Dave Brown began in Guttenberg in 1964. He remains hands-on with the stores, listens to employees and guests, and keeps long-term decisions tied to what each community needs. Guttenberg is where his family's dealership story began, and he works to keep that history connected to how Brown's serves people today.
Assistant General Manager
Eric joined Brown's Guttenberg as Sales Manager in March 2025 and now serves as Assistant General Manager. Originally from Dubuque, he brings 17 years of automotive experience. His first dealership job was in detail while he was in high school. He enjoys meeting new people and has been hooked on cars his entire life, so building a career around them has been a natural fit.
New Ford and used vehicles
Guttenberg drivers use vehicles in different ways. A truck may tow equipment during the week and a camper on the weekend. An SUV may handle school schedules, winter roads, and family trips. Our job is to understand what the vehicle needs to do before recommending what to drive.
New inventory can include Ford F-150 and Super Duty trucks, Maverick and Ranger pickups, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Escape, Explorer and Expedition SUVs, Mustang performance vehicles, and Transit commercial vans. Gas, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric choices vary by model and availability.
Tell our Guttenberg team which vehicle caught your attention. When it is available and the timing works, a vehicle at another Brown's location may be brought closer for you to see.
Transfers depend on availability and logistics, but you should receive a straightforward answer about what is possible and who will keep you updated.
Online and out-of-area help
Starting online should still feel personal. Kristi gives you a familiar name and a real person to come back to as questions are answered and plans take shape.
Whether you are nearby, across the Mississippi River, or several hours away, Kristi can help gather vehicle details, coordinate additional photos or a walkaround video, answer equipment and condition questions, and help organize a visit, trade conversation, paperwork steps, or pickup and delivery planning when available. Reaching out can simply be a request for information; you do not need to be ready to buy.
Ford service and parts
Brown's Guttenberg Ford has Ford-trained and certified service technicians for regular maintenance, diagnostics, warranty and recall work, and larger repairs. The service center can help whether your vehicle was purchased here or somewhere else.
Learn about Ford Pickup & Delivery, Mobile Service, or the Ford parts department. Availability can depend on the work, vehicle, location, and appointment schedule.
Sell or trade your vehicle
Your current vehicle can be part of another purchase, but it does not have to be. Brown's can review your car, truck, van, or SUV and make an offer even if you are not buying a replacement from us.
Start with the trade-value tool or the vehicle-selling page. A final offer depends on an in-person review of the vehicle and the information provided.
Have your title or payoff information, registration, identification, keys, and available service records ready.
If you are deciding between selling and trading, our team can explain both paths before you choose.
The Guttenberg story
The complete Brown's history reaches beyond one brand or building, but every chapter traces back to the opportunity Dave Brown received in Guttenberg in 1964.
1964
Dave Brown was awarded the Ford franchise in Guttenberg. At that time, he was the youngest person to be awarded a Ford franchise.
1981
Ford approached Dave Brown about opening a satellite dealership in Elkader, beginning the family's second Ford chapter.
1985-1986
Brown's purchased Dittmer Dodge from Jack Dittmer in 1985 and added Chrysler and Plymouth franchises in 1986.
1990
The Guttenberg dealership was awarded a General Motors franchise, expanding the choices available from the original rooftop.
1993
Brown's began selling recreational vehicles in Guttenberg, adding another way to serve travelers and outdoor families.
1998
Brown's purchased the dealership now known as Victory Ford in Dyersville, continuing the family's Ford growth in eastern Iowa.
2016
The Brown's Hometown Victory Foundation was established to extend the family's community commitment beyond the dealership walls.
2023
The Guttenberg operation added South Bay and Trifecta pontoon boats, continuing a local history shaped by vehicles, travel, and life near the river.
Rooted in northeast Iowa
More than 60 years in Guttenberg means dealership relationships often continue outside the showroom. Guests may also be neighbors, local business owners, farmers, volunteers, teachers, or families we see again around town.
Being part of a small community means staying accountable for how people are treated before, during, and after a purchase or repair.
Brown's events such as Beef Month, Dairy Days, and Porktober Fest recognize the agricultural families who support Iowa communities.
The Brown's Hometown Victory Foundation supports people and organizations in the communities Brown's serves.
Common questions
Yes. Brown's began in Guttenberg in 1964 when Dave Brown was awarded the Ford franchise. At that time, he was the youngest person to be awarded a Ford franchise.
The dealership is located at 202 U.S. Highway 52 South in Guttenberg, Iowa. Sales, service, and parts can be reached at 563-252-1611.
We sell new Ford vehicles and used cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs from multiple manufacturers. New availability can include Ford trucks, SUVs, performance vehicles, commercial vans, hybrids, and electric vehicles.
Yes. Tell the Guttenberg team which vehicle interests you. When the vehicle is available and logistics allow, it may be possible to bring it closer for you to see. Transfers are not guaranteed.
Yes. Kristi, our Internet Manager, can help with vehicle details, additional photos, walkaround video, trade questions, and preparing for a visit through the contact page.
Yes. Brown's Guttenberg Ford can service vehicles regardless of where they were purchased. Call the team if you are unsure whether your repair or maintenance need can be scheduled.
Ford Pickup & Delivery and Ford Mobile Service may be available for eligible vehicles, services, locations, and appointment times. Contact the service department for current availability.
Yes. Brown's can review your vehicle and make an offer without requiring you to purchase a replacement. Start the vehicle-selling process.
Contact Brown's Guttenberg Ford
Ask about a Ford vehicle, used inventory, a trade, service, parts, or something at another Brown's location. We will help with the next practical step and make sure you know who is working with you.
202 U.S. Hwy 52 S
Guttenberg, IA 52052-7702
