Old NW car dealers
Discussion
sider said:
Also, not a franchise, but does anyone remember Fast Lane Sports cars in Standish?
Anyone remember when Aidan Piers were quite big too??
I remember both of those very very well indeed.Anyone remember when Aidan Piers were quite big too??
Also Warrender in Bolton. Anyone remember him?
He was probably the most popular place at the time to buy an Impreza or Mitsu Evo.
I also remember Red Rose car centre on the A6(?) just through Blackrod.
Used to buy a few RS Turbos and Cosworths out of there.
It was similar to BOC in that the place was made up of about half a dozen dealers all under one roof.
Used to love bombing up there on a Sunday afternoon.
sider said:
I think Aidan Piers are still going - but in a very very small capacity.
I saw a car for sale with them on Auto trader, around this time last year.
They are. But my brother isnt involved any more. They advertise on Ebay.I saw a car for sale with them on Auto trader, around this time last year.
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/merchant/aidanpiers_W0QQ_nk...
Anyone remember Bluebird Engineering in Chester ?
They used to deal in Range Rovers (c 1980's), they specialised in converting new (export)3 door models into "Custom Vans" .
This was when the 5 door models were being offered by Land Rover - not sure if you could even buy a 3 door from a main dealer at the time.
They also carried out rebuilds on Rangeys, where customers could spec diesel engines and non standard paint etc.
They used to have a big advert in the Automart - always a really good place to visit.
They used to deal in Range Rovers (c 1980's), they specialised in converting new (export)3 door models into "Custom Vans" .
This was when the 5 door models were being offered by Land Rover - not sure if you could even buy a 3 door from a main dealer at the time.
They also carried out rebuilds on Rangeys, where customers could spec diesel engines and non standard paint etc.
They used to have a big advert in the Automart - always a really good place to visit.
5 wh said:
sider said:
There are all the old names associated with Peugeot and Robins & Day - i.e.:
- Glanden Motors, Preston
- Birtwistle, Nortwich
- Tom Garner Motors, Manchester (noticed that had gone the other day!!)
I also remember when MTB Jeep used to be a SEAT dealer, and when Bauer Millet were at their old place on Peter Street.
Glanden Motors had the worst radio ads ever(usually on Red Rose Radio)- Glanden Motors, Preston
- Birtwistle, Nortwich
- Tom Garner Motors, Manchester (noticed that had gone the other day!!)
I also remember when MTB Jeep used to be a SEAT dealer, and when Bauer Millet were at their old place on Peter Street.
sider said:
Also, not a franchise, but does anyone remember Fast Lane Sports cars in Standish?
The 2 owners went their separate ways, one to become Ron Hodgson Specialist Cars, on the other side of Wigan and now at Up Holland; whilst the other moved to Bolton and became Warrender, then relocated to Blackburn, eventually going under and relaunching as SP Motorsport i think, before moving back to Langtree Garage where FLSC were in Standish, and setting up Wicked Kit, again before going under. Not seen much of them for a couple of years since going under.
Also, another local name were Dimma, at Weaverham; now Adamsons Sports and Performance.
Anyone remember when Aidan Piers were quite big too??
I remember Fast Lane Cars fondly and yes it did used to be a Ford franchise! Probably up till about 1990? I remember there being a new RS200 in there for 50k! And a mint Mk1 RS2000 in orange with a yellow stripe for about 8k which we thought daft money at the time! I used to go in there on the way home from school as a kid and take the brochures!The 2 owners went their separate ways, one to become Ron Hodgson Specialist Cars, on the other side of Wigan and now at Up Holland; whilst the other moved to Bolton and became Warrender, then relocated to Blackburn, eventually going under and relaunching as SP Motorsport i think, before moving back to Langtree Garage where FLSC were in Standish, and setting up Wicked Kit, again before going under. Not seen much of them for a couple of years since going under.
Also, another local name were Dimma, at Weaverham; now Adamsons Sports and Performance.
Anyone remember when Aidan Piers were quite big too??
Happy days.
MTR
*Kosta* said:
Stan Palmer still exist in Carlisle as a Scooby agent
I think CG Ford still exist, as do the Lloyd group
Stan Palmers are still around.I think CG Ford still exist, as do the Lloyd group
Edited by *Kosta* on Sunday 8th March 20:54
Lloyds are doing really well, with loads of franchises now.
CG Ford went around 5 or 6 years ago I think, at least the garage in Carlisle is now run by the GK Group.
Nolar Dog said:
Also Warrender in Bolton. Anyone remember him?
He was probably the most popular place at the time to buy an Impreza or Mitsu Evo.
It was similar to BOC in that the place was made up of about half a dozen dealers all under one roof.
Used to love bombing up there on a Sunday afternoon.
I remember Warrender, pre internet days, buying Top Marques they always seemed to be the place for that sort of car.He was probably the most popular place at the time to buy an Impreza or Mitsu Evo.
It was similar to BOC in that the place was made up of about half a dozen dealers all under one roof.
Used to love bombing up there on a Sunday afternoon.
BOC, that rings a bell for me. I bought a Clio Williams 1 from Bury Performance Cars, who I think were part of the group?
Was it Tottington Road or something like that. I remember the salesman was David Carradice, if that rings any bells. He told me he had sold a Williams to a certain Ryan Giggs, how times change can't see him in a Clio now
ETA I'm from the north east so I may have the road wrong!
Edited by ray_von on Monday 9th March 13:23
ad551 said:
*Kosta* said:
Stan Palmer still exist in Carlisle as a Scooby agent
I think CG Ford still exist, as do the Lloyd group
Stan Palmers are still around.I think CG Ford still exist, as do the Lloyd group
Edited by *Kosta* on Sunday 8th March 20:54
Lloyds are doing really well, with loads of franchises now.
CG Ford went around 5 or 6 years ago I think, at least the garage in Carlisle is now run by the GK Group.
Timberlakes in Wigan was where I bought my first car - a secondhand 1965 Mini 850. Timberlakes later became Baldwins, which, if I'm not mistaken is where Ron (Hodgson) started his career in car sales. I think he then set up Coppull Motors selling sports & specialist cars which, as pointed out, he is still doing in Up Holland.
SGL was quite a big name too.
Station Garage Leyland - i think it stood for. The one in Chorley was a big Rover franchise when Rover went under. I think it's a motorhome place now.
AFG - anybody remember them too?? My mate had an old E reg Polo until not long ago that had an AFG Motors sticker in the window.
Another name in the NW in the late 90's/early 00's was Virgin Cars at Salford - the big place that has been every type of car supermarket going! That was quite an experience there - soo many new cars under one roof!! You could easily get a sit in some exotica (ish!) there. I remember going drooling over a Clio V6 as an 18 yr old oik, and when spotted by the salesman, immediately jumped into the Toyota Yaris parked next to it to which he didn't seem as worried about!
Station Garage Leyland - i think it stood for. The one in Chorley was a big Rover franchise when Rover went under. I think it's a motorhome place now.
AFG - anybody remember them too?? My mate had an old E reg Polo until not long ago that had an AFG Motors sticker in the window.
Another name in the NW in the late 90's/early 00's was Virgin Cars at Salford - the big place that has been every type of car supermarket going! That was quite an experience there - soo many new cars under one roof!! You could easily get a sit in some exotica (ish!) there. I remember going drooling over a Clio V6 as an 18 yr old oik, and when spotted by the salesman, immediately jumped into the Toyota Yaris parked next to it to which he didn't seem as worried about!
sider said:
Also, not a franchise, but does anyone remember Fast Lane Sports cars in Standish?
The 2 owners went their separate ways, one to become Ron Hodgson Specialist Cars, on the other side of Wigan and now at Up Holland; whilst the other moved to Bolton and became Warrender, then relocated to Blackburn, eventually going under and relaunching as SP Motorsport i think, before moving back to Langtree Garage where FLSC were in Standish, and setting up Wicked Kit, again before going under. Not seen much of them for a couple of years since going under.
Also, another local name were Dimma, at Weaverham; now Adamsons Sports and Performance.
Anyone remember when Aidan Piers were quite big too??
As has already been said, Ron Hodgson selling cars in Upholland. His business partner, Steve Pillips, does something with Landrovers, import/export? not sure exactly.The 2 owners went their separate ways, one to become Ron Hodgson Specialist Cars, on the other side of Wigan and now at Up Holland; whilst the other moved to Bolton and became Warrender, then relocated to Blackburn, eventually going under and relaunching as SP Motorsport i think, before moving back to Langtree Garage where FLSC were in Standish, and setting up Wicked Kit, again before going under. Not seen much of them for a couple of years since going under.
Also, another local name were Dimma, at Weaverham; now Adamsons Sports and Performance.
Anyone remember when Aidan Piers were quite big too??
nurburgring1 said:
Gathurst Service Station, Shevington ( now demolished ).... Vauxhall and before that Toyota
Foster Motors, Standish ( Now a Pizza Takeaway ).... VW
Timberlakes, Wigan ( now demolished ).... Austin Rover
Fosters! Holy cr@p Bob that is going back a bit! That must of closed about 1985? All the buildings are still there too!Foster Motors, Standish ( Now a Pizza Takeaway ).... VW
Timberlakes, Wigan ( now demolished ).... Austin Rover
MTR
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