<SUBMISSION>
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<TYPE>8-K
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<FILING-DATE>20000915
<FILER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>SONIC AUTOMOTIVE INC
<CIK>0001043509
<ASSIGNED-SIC>5500
<IRS-NUMBER>562010790
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>DE
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>1231
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<FORM-TYPE>8-K
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<FILE-NUMBER>001-13395
<FILM-NUMBER>723349
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<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>5401 EAST INDEPENDENCE BLVD
<STREET2>PO BOX 18747
<CITY>CHARLOTTE
<STATE>NC
<ZIP>28212
<PHONE>7045323354
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>5401 EAST INDEPENDENCE BLVD
<CITY>CHARLOTTE
<STATE>NC
<ZIP>28212
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
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<TYPE>8-K
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<FILENAME>0001.txt
<DESCRIPTION>SONIC AUTOMOTIVE FORM 8-K
<TEXT>

================================================================================
                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           Washington, D.C. 20549



                           ----------------------


                                  FORM 8-K

                               CURRENT REPORT
                   PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
                       SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 13, 2000
                                                  ------------------


                            SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC
                           ----------------------
              (Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)


Delaware                                  1-13395              56-2010790
-----------------------------      ---------------------   -------------------
(State or Other Jurisdiction            (Commission          (IRS Employer
of Incorporation)                       File Number)       Identification No.)

      5401 East Independence Boulevard
            P.O. Box 18747
     Charlotte, North Carolina                                 28218
     -----------------------------------------------------------------
      (Address of Principal Executive Offices)              (Zip Code)

      Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (704) 532-3320
                                                          --------------


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)


================================================================================
<PAGE>

Item 5.  Other Events.

      On September 13, 2000, the Company issued the press release that is
attached to this report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1.


Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

      (c) Exhibits.

Exhibit Number                          Description
--------------                --------------------------------------

    99.1                      Press Release dated September 13, 2000


                                  SIGNATURES


    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                             SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC.


Date: September 14, 2000                  By: /s/ Theodore M. Wright
                                              ----------------------
                                              Theodore M. Wright
                                              Chief Financial Officer, Vice
                                              President, Treasurer and Director
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>0002.txt
<DESCRIPTION>PRESS RELEASE
<TEXT>

                                                                  Exhibit 99.1

                                                         FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


             Sonic Automotive Announces Proposed Private Placement

CHARLOTTE, NC (September 13, 2000) - Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: SAH)
announced today that it intends to offer approximately $125 million of its
Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008. The offering will be made by means of an
offering memorandum to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A
promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is expected to
close in late September. Sonic Automotive will use the net proceeds from the
offering to repay a portion of the indebtedness outstanding under its existing
revolving credit facility, which amounts may be reborrowed. The securities to be
offered in the private placement will not be registered under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, or applicable state securities laws, and may not be offered
or sold absent registration under the Securities Act and applicable state
securities laws or applicable exemptions from registration requirements.


Contact: Theodore M. Wright, Chief Financial Officer of Sonic Automotive, Inc.,
         (704) 532-3347.
         J. Todd Atenhan, Investor Relations of Sonic Automotive, Inc., (888)
         766-4218.
</TEXT>
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