Disappearing Petrol Stations

[aufpet 2]

I cant seem to be able to edit the post above, so here is the link again, hopefully working this time.

http://www.auf-pet.com/forumnew/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=176

[mick2me 3,033]

You can only edit your posts for a few minutes, after that contact board staff for help.

Your link in last post works fine

[Commo 1,292]

We moved to Ruddington in 1955 so I knew the garage well, and in those days like most local garages had a loyal customer base. As said previously, the garage had a few ups and downs, but is now open as both a servicing and MOT garage, and the forecourt and showroom as a used car dealership.

I remember in the 50's and early 60's the little shop at the side of the forecourt was a watch and clock repair and salesshop, my first wristwatch being bought there for my 10th birthday.

[Rob.L 1,088]

Anyone remember Sid's filling station and shop top of Westdale lane 'Esso Golden' opposite Bates engine machining workshop. Used to fill our 'bikes up there for the weekend coast run rain or shine. Sorry no pic's.

Syd's (note spelling) was a National station, on the corner of Westdale Lane and Haywood Road. It was another of those with swing-out pumps as the site was really too cramped to get onto.

I used to go there regularly to get bulbs, fuses, and the like, as I lived a bit further down Westdale Lane at the time.

There was other petrol stations down Westdale - the Gulf garage which was opened in the early 1960s (I lived next door, and knew the family well, so got lots of freebies), and another further down between Elmhurst Avenue and Blenheim Avenue. Both of them are now car sales sites.

There was also mention earlier in the thread about Sytner's. Frank Sytner did indeed have the site near the Tree Tops for a while, which belonged to RF (Chick) Wheelhouse before him. Chick had one of the first Jensen Interceptors (reg RFW111).

Sytner then moved to the site next to the reservoir (which is now a lawnmower sales place), and I recall many a time drooling over the exotic cars he was selling from there.

[Ashley 288]

Re Syd's, yes recall that,wasn't it where some cycle shop is now? another one still
there? was/is in Lambley village, remember running out of petrol on my bike
near there and letting them have a watch my then love of my life girlfriend bought me as security
for a gallon as no money on me, ( if you're reading this Margaret Wardle
sorry) wonder if they still have it? next time that way I'll ask, was only
51 years ago!

[Rob.L 1,088]

Re Syd's, yes recall that,wasn't it where some cycle shop is now? another one still

there? was/is in Lambley village, remember running out of petrol on my bike

near there and letting them have a watch my then love of my life girlfriend bought me as security

for a gallon as no money on me, ( if you're reading this Margaret Wardle

sorry) wonder if they still have it? next time that way I'll ask, was only

51 years ago!

The cycle shop (Langdale's) is nearby, but not where Syd's was. Syd's is now "Urban Sanctuary", a beauty therapy shop.

There is still a petrol station in Lambley. I don't know quite how they manage to keep going with all the competition from supermarkets, but they were still there the last time I went through the village.

[banjo48 928]

Remember Syd's garage well, used to fill up my scooter's from him, with a funny two stroke pump thing, had Castrol written on it I think.

Mixture was preset before filling with a lever.

My girlfriend lived down Valley road Carlton and I lived in Mapperley so it was first stop there before picking her up to go for a run.

Also Greens garage at the bottom of Westdale lane, I went to school with Roger Green the son. Then became a car showroom and car hire business. Then a larger fuel station opened across the road.

When Syd's closed, a friend and I looked at leasing it as a vehicle service station (but no fuel) but planning permission was denied.

[Trevor S 2,003]

Greetings banjo48.

Was that 2 stroke fuel pump like the one in this picture? When we had the Shell garage on Castle Boulevard, we had one of these but ours was all red in colour. Heavy as hell to wheel out each day but morning was easier as there was a slight down ramp from out of the lube bay where it was stored overnight. Putting it away was a lot easier if there was two of you.

It was positioned at the end of the back row of pumps and right next to the ShellMex pump. If you remember, that was the cheap grade petrol of those days and you can guess what went into the 2 stroke tank!

Fuel and oil tanks in the bottom half of the machine and fillers around the back and level with where the handles are sticking out the back. These handles could be dropped down flush with the back.

Could dial in the fuel ratio wanted and you worked the lever shown back and forth to deliver the fuel.

Picture courtesy of the messerschmitt club site.

[Ashley 288]

Didn't realise messerschmitt's were 2 stroke, no wonder they didn't last long over London,

when you think about it there were some right death trap rubbish on the road in the 50s and 60's, probably the worst being the BMW engined Isetta with one front opening door, even a minor shunt would leave you trapped in it unless you could get out of the sun roof

[Commo 1,292]

Used o fill up my Vespa with one of these 2 stroke pumps at Halls Garage on Easthorpe Street in Ruddington, so if Limey was around there between 1963 and 1966 he probably helped out, though I think I had to pump it myself, one gallon of Shell 2 stroke mix didn't give much profit !

[StephenFord 866]

when you think about it there were some right death trap rubbish on the road in the 50s and 60's, probably the worst being the BMW engined Isetta with one front opening door, even a minor shunt would leave you trapped in it unless you could get out of the sun roof

Dr Heddle in Long Eaton used to make his house calls in an Isetta. He was a tall spare man, and it was an education to see him folding himself up to get in. I suspect he may have carried a tin opener in his medical bag, in case of the need to eject in an emergency!

[Cliff Ton 10,457]

Dr Heddle in Long Eaton used to make his house calls in an Isetta. He was a tall spare man, and it was an education to see him folding himself up to get in. I suspect he may have carried a tin opener in his medical bag, in case of the need to eject in an emergency!

For the benefit of anyone not old enough to know what is being referred to.......

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[littlebro 234]

.

Pictur

.

HI Trevor S,

I too had one of these, I have served many a gallon (and in some cases just a pint or two) of mixture.

The pump is an Avery Hardoll 'Petroiler'; It had 3 tanks, one for petroleum spirit (with a brass screw cap) and two for different grades of 2-stroke oil (with rubber caps). You can see at the bottom of the display that there are 3 indicator floats showing the contents per tank. The oil type was changed by moving the dispensing handle in or out on it's pivot.

The dispensing handle in the image is pointing down but it should be pointing up.

[Trevor S 2,003]

Spot on, littlebro.

Where was your business then?

[banjo48 928]

Yes that's the machine I mentioned, I seem to remember it was green and had Castrol on it (or in it), but cannot be sure, there was also another little machine thing that dispensed Redex upper cylinder lubricant.

My dad always filled his car with the added shots of Redex additive. Used to be 1p a shot from memory !

As for the Isetta, one of my good friends in the UK had one of those, a red one, I actually did some minor body work on the front wing just before I left for Australia.

Took it around the block for a spin, a weird beast it was too.

My hobby, was restoring cars then, I had a Mig welder so used to do a fair bit of restoration and MOT failure work.

[Trevor S 2,003]

Can I check your oil and water , Sir?

[plantfit 7,580]

Red X, penny a shot, one shot per gallon of petrol "UCL" upper cyclinder lubricant also very good for freeing seized nuts and bolts, used the stuff lots during my apprenticeship years

Rog

[FLY2 10,108]

There was a National Benzole station on Ilkeston Rd on the left going towards Nottm not far after St Peters St near a pub called the Jolly Higglers. Also I believe there was a small filling station on Alfreton Rd next to Le Grande pub. I know they sold paraffin because I remember getting some for my dad when we lived on Bridlington St.

[Ashley 288]

the premises next to the grand are still in use, there was another similar sized one next to Jeff's clothes shop on Radford Rd, I reall the redundant pump outside, (also a 4 cylinder Indian motorbike in the back) forgive me if already mentioned

[fch782c 144]

Ristes Motor Company Rolls Royce and Bently Specialists had a vintage petrol pump outside their workshops on Forest Road East, would anybody knowif it is still there. I know back in the 1980's the owner Mr Lovatt was asked to stop using it as the pump posed a hazzard, as it was on the pavement too close to the road

[catfan 14,793]

Now on Gamble St Radford.

[Cliff Ton 10,457]

Found this when I wasn't looking for it. Morkell & Carnill at the top end of Talbot Street. The site was still a car showroom well into the 90s.

[littlebro 234]

Morkel & Carnill closed in 1978 but were by that time part of Mann Egerton as was FW Mitchell. Both companies were formally wound up in 1979.

The site was later taken over by Beechdale Saab.

The image is from the mid-1960's - due to the skeletal type Shell sign. By 1969 the Shell signs had a red background.

Note: Lambert House, the old DVLA office isn't built.

[Cliff Ton 10,457]

Just about recognisable today. The older building - with the two white gable ends - has survived. It was the vicarage to St Matthew's church which has gone (but which can be seen beyond the vicarage in the old photo).

[Robbie 39]

Do you know the year of the photo?

Am I correct in saying just beyond the Vicarage is Talbot House, not sure but I seem to think Woods of Beeston built Talbot House and further down Lawrence House?