Cliff Ton 10,454 Posted December 8, 2010 Author 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! That'll be this place........... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mick2me 3,033 Posted December 8, 2010 Report Share Posted December 8, 2010 In recent years wasnt Trumans occupied by Chris Variava? (Make?) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
littlebro 234 Posted December 8, 2010 Report Share Posted December 8, 2010 In recent years wasnt Trumans occupied by Chris Variava? (Make?) Correct, it was Automart selling DAF then Leadleys and then Chris Variava selling Mitsubishi before they moved to the Toyota site in New Basford. Truman moved to Huntingdon Street before merging with Mitchell's to form Truman-Mitchell. The Truman site at Huntingdon Street became Sytner BMW. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,454 Posted December 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2010 That's an impressive list littlebro, and it's made me think of a few more to add to it Clifton Car Co (and various names) near Clifton Village - started as Vauxhall at Clifton, then changed through Renault, and something else I can't remember Lady Bay Car Sales - Radcliffe Road West Bridgford, and then moved to Colwick by the 90s County Garage - also Radcliffe Road, early Honda dealers. The site was recently a Toyota dealer until a couple of years ago Halls Skoda - Loughborough Road, West Bridgford. Now a fast-fit exhaust-type place Quote Link to post Share on other sites
denshaw 2,871 Posted December 9, 2010 Report Share Posted December 9, 2010 A few from Bestwood area, Hammonds of Daybrook, British Leyland dealers. Renshaw and Newsome, Edwards lane Skoda dealers. NCV garage Hucknall road. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
littlebro 234 Posted December 9, 2010 Report Share Posted December 9, 2010 And there's more! Mapperley Top Original Sytner - BMW Speeds - Volvo Sharpes - Vauxhall Bulwell New Crown - Vauxhall Brough Superior - Datsun/Nissan Paul Haywood - AC Epperstone Knowles - BL Lowdham Harrisons - Peugeot Carlton Walkers of Carlton - BL Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beefsteak 305 Posted December 9, 2010 Report Share Posted December 9, 2010 Correct, it was Automart selling DAF then Leadleys and then Chris Variava selling Mitsubishi before they moved to the Toyota site in New Basford. Truman moved to Huntingdon Street before merging with Mitchell's to form Truman-Mitchell. The Truman site at Huntingdon Street became Sytner BMW. I started my apprentiship as a motor mechanic at Automart (As mentioned above!) we did both DAF (Two rubber bands) and Colt , which later became Mitsubishi (Lancer, Delta, Sigma and my personal favourite, the Celeste) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
OLDACE 196 Posted December 9, 2010 Report Share Posted December 9, 2010 Zipser Motors, Radcliffe Road. Rover dealers. I used to play with his son John in the late 40's and early 50's. They had the first TV I ever saw. Zipser was an RAF pilot in the war, of senior rank I believe. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
plantfit 7,577 Posted December 9, 2010 Report Share Posted December 9, 2010 I remember the Clifton car company, When my dad bought a new (to him) car from them they asked if they could have his old Hillman Minx to use as an advert for their body shop, of course my dad agreed and they sprayed one half (down the length) a pale blue and left the original black down the other half and displayed it on their forecourt, can anyone remember seeing it? reg number 796 CNN Rog Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MartynE 2 Posted December 9, 2010 Report Share Posted December 9, 2010 I don't know whether it's been mentioned before, but I worked at Swan Self Drive for a short while in the early 60's. It was on Nuthall Road, left side heading out. After leaving the army I worked for a while at Oscrofts Castle Boulevard, Mike Smedley ex Notts cricketer was a receptionist. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,454 Posted December 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2010 After all these lists of car dealers, here's one I can't work out the answer to.... Who were the early Toyota dealers around here? I can't think of any names Quote Link to post Share on other sites
littlebro 234 Posted December 9, 2010 Report Share Posted December 9, 2010 Early Toyota was Nottingham Autocar, North Sherwood Street and Lucas of Mansfield Quote Link to post Share on other sites
denshaw 2,871 Posted December 9, 2010 Report Share Posted December 9, 2010 There was a dealer called Farmer and Carlisle out Kimberley way. Sure they did japanese cars. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
loppylugs 8,427 Posted December 10, 2010 Report Share Posted December 10, 2010 I don't know whether it's been mentioned before, but I worked at Swan Self Drive for a short while in the early 60's. It was on Nuthall Road, left side heading out. After leaving the army I worked for a while at Oscrofts Castle Boulevard, Mike Smedley ex Notts cricketer was a receptionist. I rented a Mini from Swan Self Drive in 1965. Went on my honeymoon in it. Rented from them on different occasions after that. What finally happened to them? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
denshaw 2,871 Posted December 10, 2010 Report Share Posted December 10, 2010 Swan car hire was at the side of the old ice stadium next to the Cricketers? Mid/late seventies. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
.... 23 Posted December 10, 2010 Report Share Posted December 10, 2010 There was a dealer called Farmer and Carlisle out Kimberley way. Sure they did japanese cars. Farmer & Carlisle are still very much around and are Toyota dealers, Den. They now have premises at Loughborough and Leicester but previously also had a dealership on Radcliffe Road. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
littlebro 234 Posted December 10, 2010 Report Share Posted December 10, 2010 I rented a Mini from Swan Self Drive in 1965. Went on my honeymoon in it. Rented from them on different occasions after that. What finally happened to them? I think Swan became 'Swan National' and over the years it has changed to simply 'National' and are near the Nottingham rail station. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paulus 541 Posted December 10, 2010 Report Share Posted December 10, 2010 I don't know whether it's been mentioned before, but I worked at Swan Self Drive for a short while in the early 60's. It was on Nuthall Road, left side heading out. After leaving the army I worked for a while at Oscrofts Castle Boulevard, Mike Smedley ex Notts cricketer was a receptionist. !! My Uncle was the Manager of Swan Self Drive in the late 60's early 70's, named Jack Robinson Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paulus 541 Posted December 10, 2010 Report Share Posted December 10, 2010 In the 70's my brother had a bodywork/sprayshop & did work for dealers around Notts, usually a 'flash over' the bottom half of a motor (after a wipeover with thinners), that's all the dealers would pay for.............. Kimberley Motor Company Hucknall Motors The latter would buy all ex police Panda's & CID cars, the hole in the roof would be filled, new front seats installed (these cars had big heavy CID plods in them 24/7) and vinyl roofs put on the Panda's, but they sold 'em real cheap with easy 'finance deals' you could get a 2 year old Escort at half the Parkers Guide price, they were a good deal if the engine had been changed, the Police mechanics never repaired engines just swapped old for new!! !rotfl! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mick2me 3,033 Posted December 11, 2010 Report Share Posted December 11, 2010 Can you remember that far back when there were big coppers! Panda cars maintained at MOONS garage mentioned elswhere. If you were lucky you could pick up an ex traffic Dolomite Sprint? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scriv 168 Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 One you all seem to have overlooked, to my surprise; GT Cars,the Renault dealers next door to Chettle's yard on St. Peter's Street, Radford. Been closed for many years and I think the site's been built over now. My first job after leaving the Army was as a parts salesman there, in the early 1980's. They also had branches in Long Eaton, Derby, and Sheffield. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,454 Posted December 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 One you all seem to have overlooked, to my surprise; GT Cars,the Renault dealers next door to Chettle's yard on St. Peter's Street, Radford. Been closed for many years and I think the site's been built over now. Yes, they disappeared quite a few years ago (along with their other branches). Their old site near St Peter's Street is now occupied by hundreds of student apartments, and things for students like Tesco Express and Pizza Hut. Just like most of that area of Triumph Road/Faraday Road Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mick2me 3,033 Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 I wonder if this is the same outfit @Wilne Road Sawley? I can see at least one Renault Quote Link to post Share on other sites
littlebro 234 Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 Yes Mick, GT Cars (Renault) occupied this site on Wilne Road. Before GT Cars it belonged to Arthur Prince of Loughborough who also had BL (Triumph)and VW franchises. They had to sell the Renault site as some manufactures wanted a one-make franchise per dealer. Arthur Price are still in Loughborough with VW. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rob237 89 Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 Had many dealings with GT Cars on St Peter's Street, whilst buying a succession of new Renault 12's', over several years. The 12 was a very popular motor in it's day, with the bonus of having seating which was akin to sitting in a Gentleman's Club! Only major issue was rather temperamental valves. Always found that GT Cars were an excellent company to patronise... Cheers Robt P. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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