Cliff Ton 10,467 Posted December 7, 2010 Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 The thread about car mechanics who could actually fix cars made me think about car dealers (main dealers and second-hand) who used to be around in the 70s/80s and who have now disappeared. Some of them were well-known landmarks for years. In no particular order.... Hooleys - that art deco place on Derby Road, and another on Loughborough Road, West Bridgford. Used to advertise "Ford since 1927". Bought my first ever car - Vauxhall Viva - from them on Derby Road. Oscrofts - Vauxhall dealers, on Castle Boulevard, and later on Lenton Lane as well. Had a big advert on the railway bridge over Arkwright street. Their building on Castle Boulevard is still there with the semi-circular inset where the petrol pumps used to be Atkeys - Austin, but I can't remember where their showroom was (somewhere along Parliament Street?) Wadham Stringer - British Leyland, at Clifton Bridge in the 70s. When they turned out rubbish like Allegros and Marinas. No wonder the Japanese became so big in those days. By the late 70s, their old place at Clifton Bridge had become "Monarch" who were Datsun dealers, with another place up Woodborough Road Dean and Perkins - used car dealers up Woodborough Road near the junction with Wells Road. I think they split and did their own separate thing by the 80s Cripps - Rootes cars in the 1960s on Clifton Boulevard near where QMC is now. Later they moved on to Lenton Lane, but disappeared by the late 70s Nattriss - Saab dealers near Mapperley Top. Had a used Saab from them; a real dog, the worst car I ever owned. They disappeared by the late 80s Clocktower Autos - Started at the back of Vic Centre in the 70s, but later moved to West Bridgford until around the 90s. Had a couple of cars from them over the years Dalbury Cars - Fiat dealers on Mansfield Road in the 70s/80s. In those days Fiats had a life of about 3 years, so Dalbury were never going to last long John Fox - VW dealers at Basford in the 70s when they just had a couple of sheds. They've grown a bit since then. Valley Road Garage - Vauxhall dealers near Futurist Cinema, disappeared by the early 80s. Had a Cavalier from them You don't see as many bomb-site dealers these days. Have Trading Standards finally sorted them all out? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ashley 288 Posted December 7, 2010 Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 think I'd prefer the bomb site dealers, more of a honest crook than the big boys, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
catfan 14,793 Posted December 7, 2010 Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 And there was Tony Carr who flogged cars at the spot where Northern Bridge used to be, some real over priced bangers ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beefsteak 305 Posted December 7, 2010 Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 Automart (Daf , later Colt/Mitsubishi) then became Ledleys, was on Mansfield Road , near the junction with Bluecoat Street. Now a furniture showroom. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ayupmeducks 1,730 Posted December 7, 2010 Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 Are B&K Thomas still in business, the Merc dealer in West Bridgeford opposite the CC building. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,467 Posted December 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 No, the Merc dealers now are over towards the NG2 Business Park near Queen's Drive, and they are just called Mercedes Benz Nottingham. It may be B&K Thomas underneath, but they don't operate under that name. I think a few years ago Merc wanted all their dealers to become part of a national thing, and they dropped all the individual personal names. The site where they used to be on Loughborough road is now a Sandicliffe with Ford and Mazda Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ayupmeducks 1,730 Posted December 7, 2010 Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 My late Mum used to work for Barry and Keith Thomas pumping petrol. that was in the 50's. They always called the owners Mr Barry or Mr Keith. I think, but not certain that they owned the VW distributorship too, but not from the Merc location, I could be wrong, very often are! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,467 Posted December 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 When I started this topic I mentioned Cripps on Clifton Boulevard in the 50s/60s I knew I'd seen a couple of photos of that place (and for once they aren't on Picture the Past) Cripps1 Cripps2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
littlebro 234 Posted December 7, 2010 Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 Are B&K Thomas still in business, the Merc dealer in West Bridgeford opposite the CC building. When Mercedes Benz rationalised their network B&K Thomas 'won' the franchise for Notts & Leics but ultimately sold the business to Leadley. He in turn sold it to Inchcape group who operate as 'MB Nottingham' on the site of the old ROF. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,467 Posted December 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 When Mercedes Benz rationalised their network B&K Thomas 'won' the franchise for Notts & Leics but ultimately sold the business to Leadley. He in turn sold it to Inchcape group who operate as 'MB Nottingham' on the site of the old ROF. Automart (Daf , later Colt/Mitsubishi) then became Ledleys, was on Mansfield Road , near the junction with Bluecoat Street. Now a furniture showroom. Possibly a sad but true ending to this story. I bought my first ever car from Hooleys on Derby Road - it was a secondhand Vauxhall Viva, and the salesman was Jeff Leadley who was just one of the junior sales people there in those days (mid 70s). Because it was my first car I'd always remembered him and watched his name cropping up over the years as he started out on his own business, became very successful, and ended up with several franchises around the area. Earlier this year I noticed this in the Evening Post. http://www.thisisnot...il/article.html I'm not certain, but I suspect it's the same person. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
catfan 14,793 Posted December 7, 2010 Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 Another one springs to mind, Ashfield Auto's on Radcliffe Rd West Bridgeford, top price bangers. My cousin bought a Jag from there...................oh dear. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beefsteak 305 Posted December 7, 2010 Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 Not 100% sure Cliff , but I think the Leadley I met would be closer to 70 now !, certainly not that close to my age. Mind you it may have been his dad, "The front and therefore the money man" that I met If you know what I mean Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ashley 288 Posted December 8, 2010 Report Share Posted December 8, 2010 There was one of the "bomb site boys" quite well known in Basford, (that well known I've forgotten his name! Bob something or other, unusual surname too) am sure others will know of him, esp Craig Strongman, had various sites over the years plus a scrap yard at and behind the former five ways garage. But the "best" (some will say cheeky ist) was a guy living on the ring road in ex council semi with tarmac'd front garden, had various cars up for sale, sometimes 5 or 6 at a time c/w with proper dealers "One Owner" "Low Mileage" "P/E Welcome" etc plus price screen stickers on said tarmac and wide pavement outside! We used to joke re petrol pumps being installed and tyre fitting bay in his garage, needless to say didn't last long! but an interesting episode. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Owdtite 2 Posted December 8, 2010 Report Share Posted December 8, 2010 Brough Superior in Bulwell....I remember my Dad buying a 1952 Austin Somerset from there that lasted for years and years and years....It was like a tank to drive and I had my first ever driving lessons in it. It makes my Mitsubishi Shogun seem like a right lightweight now!!! I do think that Brough were fair and honest dealers though! Owdtite. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EileenH 496 Posted December 8, 2010 Report Share Posted December 8, 2010 The showroom on Mansfield Road near Bluecoat Street was a Jaguar showroom first. I remember fifty odd years ago coming home from school to catch my bus at Huntingdon Street when I was knocked down by a motor bike whilst crossing Mansfield Road. They carried me into the Jag Showroom until the ambulance arrived! There`s posh! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
denshaw 2,872 Posted December 8, 2010 Report Share Posted December 8, 2010 The scrapyard on Church street at the side of the railway was owned by a chap called Smith, he once worked at Cinderhill pit. This would have been mid/late seventies. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ashley 288 Posted December 8, 2010 Report Share Posted December 8, 2010 yes, correct re smithy,s scrapyard, his son who worked there either played for Notts County or at least on their books for awhile, that scrapyard was sited on the original route of vernon road before section from nottingham rd diverted to it's now position (mine of useless information, lol) however scrap yard I was on about was next to that where Fox's VW hard standing was later, after removal of a gasometer that stood in there Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,467 Posted December 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2010 The scrapyard on Church street at the side of the railway was owned by a chap called Smith, he once worked at Cinderhill pit. This would have been mid/late seventies. Was that the scrapyard which was very narrow (literally about a car's width) but extended back a long way down to the level of the railway line? For a time it was called "Salvo" because he specialised in Saabs and Volvos Been gone quite a long time' and replaced by apartments, which can be seen on Google Earth Quote Link to post Share on other sites
denshaw 2,872 Posted December 8, 2010 Report Share Posted December 8, 2010 Yes that's the one Cliff. I think his son had another one at Moor bridge Bulwell AAA? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,467 Posted December 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2010 The one on Church Street, Basford has now reminded me of another used car dealer who was in that area for years - don't know if it still survives Fine Cars, who were near the Radford Road/Valley Road junction, going back a bit towards Radford. Definitely there in the 70s and 80s. Always seemed slightly more upmarket than many others because they had a proper showroom with plate glass windows. Only had enough room to fit about 3 cars in, but definitely wasn't a bomb-site dealer. I never understood how they managed to do enough business to survive. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ashley 288 Posted December 8, 2010 Report Share Posted December 8, 2010 Yes it was the later Salvo site, "Smithy's" also became AAA or whatever just before they got the bulwell site to which they transferred the business, The Church Street one was indeed narrow think he had one car (though 2 high) at right angle to it's length plus another in line up against railway fence, no idea when it ceased to be Vernon Road? wonder if electric trams went down it? Vernon Road was built as an "Old Basford Bypass" also a route to do away with need for trams and other bulwell traffic to cross the railway no idea when built but as tied in with Church Street Bridge assume at same time, 1876 as confirmed by lettering on the bridge girders, prior to that there was one assumes some sort of level crossing for 28 years. Sorry for straying off topic! funny how these topic go, from car dealers, to scrap yards to railway history, lol Quote Link to post Share on other sites
littlebro 234 Posted December 8, 2010 Report Share Posted December 8, 2010 The one on Church Street, Basford has now reminded me of another used car dealer who was in that area for years - don't know if it still survives Fine Cars, who were near the Radford Road/Valley Road junction, going back a bit towards Radford. Definitely there in the 70s and 80s. Always seemed slightly more upmarket than many others because they had a proper showroom with plate glass windows. Only had enough room to fit about 3 cars in, but definitely wasn't a bomb-site dealer. I never understood how they managed to do enough business to survive. Are you thinking of Rex Rolling, former Sheriff of Nottm, sold cars at this location. I recall he also was involved with Mr Beanland in restoring the Nottingham Celer car. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ashley 288 Posted December 8, 2010 Report Share Posted December 8, 2010 That proper showroom on corner of Reigate Rd was an old co-op general store, there was a yard behind such where he had his less than immac ones on sale, now it says T&S Motors Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,467 Posted December 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2010 Are you thinking of Rex Rolling, former Sheriff of Nottm, sold cars at this location. I recall he also was involved with Mr Beanland in restoring the Nottingham Celer car. Now you mention it....... I'd forgotten about that, but many years ago I remember reading about the fact that Fine Cars was owned by an ex-Sheriff/Mayor/Celebrity/Politician. So, yes, that was the place in question Quote Link to post Share on other sites
littlebro 234 Posted December 8, 2010 Report Share Posted December 8, 2010 Here are a few names from the past, some are still with us. Castle Boulevard Kennings Oscrofts > WASS (Wallace Arnold Sales & Service) > Trust Motors – Vauxhall & Bedford Commercials, moved to Lenton Lane Cottee & Edwards - Datsun Canal Street Challands Ross - Coachbuilders London Road Carter Gate > Hanger Motors > Cowies - Ford Derby Road F Mitchell > Truman Mitchell > Mann Egerton – Triumph, Jaguar, Rolls Royce Hooleys – also at Lambourne Drive, Wollaton and West Bridgford Church Street, Lenton Atkeys Austin + BMC commercials Wollaton Street / Talbot Street Morkell & Carnell – Morris, Riley Chapel Bar Co-operative Chapel Bar Garage - Standard Huntingdon Street T Shipside > Wadham Stringer Morris & Wolseley + BMC commercials Truman’s – Jaguar, Rover & Rolls Royce Triumph Road - Lenton Cripps – Rootes + Lenton Boulevard & Lenton Lane + commercials Shakespeare Street Moons – became Nottingham Police garage Paterson Road, Hyson Green HH Newsome Nuthall Road Dickens & Cartwright Breffitts Loughborough Road, WB B&K Thomas - Mercedes Beardall’s - VW Hooley’s - Ford South west Nottingham Frosts of Toton – Opel/GM Terence Davis – Toton – Datsun/Nissan David Nudd – Highway Garage, Attenborough Harliss & Stokes, Attenborough T Hooley, Attenborough F Nicholson, Chilwell –Rootes Group H Clifford & Sons, Chilwell – Triumph, Skoda Bramcote Hills Garage Sandicliffe - Ford Beeston Light Car Co > Willoughby Garage, Beeston –Morris, Wolseley Oscrofts, Beeston – Vauxhall, Land Rover Stuart Hall, Lilac Grove Beeston - Fiat 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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