Glasgow car dealers in the 60's -70's
Discussion
What about Ross Motors in the West End, between Gt western Rd and Maryhill Rd? They were Mazda dealers, Polski Fiat, Wartburg (what a combo!!) and also various second hand motor bikes too! It was owned by a wild old Polish chap who made Arthur Daley look positively like a boy scout (alegedly)
tonytifoso said:
willtvr said:
ian2144 said:
deadslow said:
Didn't Jim Watt used to have a Citroen garage just off Clouston St in the west end?
Also seem to remember 'Road & Track' porsche independents at Anniesland railway station, and Blytheswood Motors, Finnieston, when they sold loads of huge yank metal.
Forgot about Blythswood Motors. I went to look at a 970 Cooper S in 1976,worth a bob or two now.They had loads of quick stuff just down the street in an old warehouse, Droop Snoot Firenza, TVR's Dolomite Sprints and yes there was yank motors as well. Also seem to remember 'Road & Track' porsche independents at Anniesland railway station, and Blytheswood Motors, Finnieston, when they sold loads of huge yank metal.
deadslow said:
matchmaker said:
Gylen said:
matchmaker said:
Queensborough Motors - when they were in Prince Albert Road in Hyndland. Can't remember who had the garage at the bottom of Clarence Drive then.
Spookily, I can see the old site from my kitchen window...yes it is a small world !
I lived in Hyndland in the late 60s and early 70s. I remember all the British Leyland stuff that was everywhere! Does anyone remember the Ninian Sanderson dealership on Great Western Road? My Dad used to use a Polish mechanic called Gerry who had a lockup at the bottom of Clarence Drive. I remember watching him rebuild the engine in Dads Triumph 1500! Dad bought all the bits for the rebuild from Pistons and Components. I loved going in there as a youngster.
Does anyone remember the specialist car dealer, who had premises in Woodlands Rd in the late Sixties - on the corner intersection of Woodlands Rd and Woodlands Dr opposite the Bowling club if I recall correctly.
I was at GU in 67, and I can remember dogging off lectures, just to go down there to stand and ogle at the 246 Dino GT they then had in the front showroom.
I was there so often, that I was eventually accepted as part of the pavement furniture - I was just overawed by the beauty of that machine.
They also had a TVR Tuscan - the one with the 4.7 Ford V8.
I recall the proprietor finally took pity on me, and gave me a run in it, out along Great Western Rd, and thence well out of town.
Traffic was a lot less dense in those days, and Plod was far less in evidence.
Silencing too, appeared at the time to be an optional extra on the TVR.
It was definitely not an extra which had been specified on this particular car that I was in - that motor was 'smokin' - I bet they heard it in Balloch!
I returned from that experience, a changed man - forever addicted to the thrill of hearing those eight cylinders speak their mind.
Never did get the name of the chap who gave me the run - but thanks to him anyway for setting me down the path of righteousness!
Ah! - the memories
I was at GU in 67, and I can remember dogging off lectures, just to go down there to stand and ogle at the 246 Dino GT they then had in the front showroom.
I was there so often, that I was eventually accepted as part of the pavement furniture - I was just overawed by the beauty of that machine.
They also had a TVR Tuscan - the one with the 4.7 Ford V8.
I recall the proprietor finally took pity on me, and gave me a run in it, out along Great Western Rd, and thence well out of town.
Traffic was a lot less dense in those days, and Plod was far less in evidence.
Silencing too, appeared at the time to be an optional extra on the TVR.
It was definitely not an extra which had been specified on this particular car that I was in - that motor was 'smokin' - I bet they heard it in Balloch!
I returned from that experience, a changed man - forever addicted to the thrill of hearing those eight cylinders speak their mind.
Never did get the name of the chap who gave me the run - but thanks to him anyway for setting me down the path of righteousness!
Ah! - the memories
songman3 said:
Does anyone remember the specialist car dealer, who had premises in Woodlands Rd in the late Sixties - on the corner intersection of Woodlands Rd and Woodlands Dr opposite the Bowling club if I recall correctly.
I was at GU in 67, and I can remember dogging off lectures, just to go down there to stand and ogle at the 246 Dino GT they then had in the front showroom.
I was there so often, that I was eventually accepted as part of the pavement furniture - I was just overawed by the beauty of that machine.
They also had a TVR Tuscan - the one with the 4.7 Ford V8.
I recall the proprietor finally took pity on me, and gave me a run in it, out along Great Western Rd, and thence well out of town.
Traffic was a lot less dense in those days, and Plod was far less in evidence.
Silencing too, appeared at the time to be an optional extra on the TVR.
It was definitely not an extra which had been specified on this particular car that I was in - that motor was 'smokin' - I bet they heard it in Balloch!
I returned from that experience, a changed man - forever addicted to the thrill of hearing those eight cylinders speak their mind.
Never did get the name of the chap who gave me the run - but thanks to him anyway for setting me down the path of righteousness!
Ah! - the memories
That specialist car dealer is still there, Scotish Motor Services. Many a wet Saturday afternoon was spent in the showroom drooling over some very exotic machinery.I was at GU in 67, and I can remember dogging off lectures, just to go down there to stand and ogle at the 246 Dino GT they then had in the front showroom.
I was there so often, that I was eventually accepted as part of the pavement furniture - I was just overawed by the beauty of that machine.
They also had a TVR Tuscan - the one with the 4.7 Ford V8.
I recall the proprietor finally took pity on me, and gave me a run in it, out along Great Western Rd, and thence well out of town.
Traffic was a lot less dense in those days, and Plod was far less in evidence.
Silencing too, appeared at the time to be an optional extra on the TVR.
It was definitely not an extra which had been specified on this particular car that I was in - that motor was 'smokin' - I bet they heard it in Balloch!
I returned from that experience, a changed man - forever addicted to the thrill of hearing those eight cylinders speak their mind.
Never did get the name of the chap who gave me the run - but thanks to him anyway for setting me down the path of righteousness!
Ah! - the memories
Thanks for the input Guys!
OK - here's another dose of mind numbing nostalgia for you
Today, this is Arnold's - on [wait for it!] - Rhu na Haven Rd !!!
Now! - back in the good old Sixties when folks had proper, sensible names like Jimmy and Senga - this street had the proper, sensible name of Hamilton Rd, and Arnold's wasne Arnold's - it was
Kings Motorcycles
And they had one of these in the window
I used to travel by bus from Uni, back home.
The route passed the showroom, and one day I spotted that cute little Duke on display in the window and just fell in 'luve'
Often, I would get off the bus near the showroom and linger for a quick ogle - quite content to walk the rest of the distance home, full of the joys of Spring
Just as well that I was skint, and couldn't afford to buy the bike, because in truth, Ducatis of the Sixties were a prospect best left to the realms of fantasy - Quality Control was somewhat 'Domani Domani'
Friends did their best to dissuade me from my passion, but I was undeterred!
I used to reply - well, so what, if it only goes 300 yds before it breaks - at least you arrive in style
They used to play 'Smoke gets in your eyes' on the juke box, and laugh at me.
Nutured my secret passion for Dukes for the next ten years - dreamed the dream,scrimped and saved up all my hard earned pennies, and in '75 I bought myself a beautiful new 900SS Desmo
Was I cool man? Was I cool
I fired it up outside the showroom, and set off towards the golden horizon in a blaze of glory - that unmistakable macho V Twin rumble accompanied by the adoring applause of the large assembled crowd.
Well! you've guessed it!
I have to admit that I did make it further than 300 yds, but not much, before the mighty beast stuttered to an unceremonious halt, with ominously large volumes of oily fumes burping out of its beautiful chrome Contis.
Never was there a more apt Swan Song for this than - 'Smoke gets in your eyes'
Thoroughly disheartened, as I waited at the roadside for the cavalry to come to the rescue, this wee guy stops beside me, his een dancing on his cheeks, and says - 'Haw Mister - that bikes a stotirr'
I thought - Ok so I only made it 300 yds, but at least I arrived in style! - talk about Deja vu!
Better stop all this reminiscing, because I can feel the urge to get my loons down from the loft and try them on again
Oops perhaps on second thoughts, not a good idea really, because I now remember they are 32" waist.
I know Ducati owners like pain but there is a limit!
OK - here's another dose of mind numbing nostalgia for you
Today, this is Arnold's - on [wait for it!] - Rhu na Haven Rd !!!
Now! - back in the good old Sixties when folks had proper, sensible names like Jimmy and Senga - this street had the proper, sensible name of Hamilton Rd, and Arnold's wasne Arnold's - it was
Kings Motorcycles
And they had one of these in the window
I used to travel by bus from Uni, back home.
The route passed the showroom, and one day I spotted that cute little Duke on display in the window and just fell in 'luve'
Often, I would get off the bus near the showroom and linger for a quick ogle - quite content to walk the rest of the distance home, full of the joys of Spring
Just as well that I was skint, and couldn't afford to buy the bike, because in truth, Ducatis of the Sixties were a prospect best left to the realms of fantasy - Quality Control was somewhat 'Domani Domani'
Friends did their best to dissuade me from my passion, but I was undeterred!
I used to reply - well, so what, if it only goes 300 yds before it breaks - at least you arrive in style
They used to play 'Smoke gets in your eyes' on the juke box, and laugh at me.
Nutured my secret passion for Dukes for the next ten years - dreamed the dream,scrimped and saved up all my hard earned pennies, and in '75 I bought myself a beautiful new 900SS Desmo
Was I cool man? Was I cool
I fired it up outside the showroom, and set off towards the golden horizon in a blaze of glory - that unmistakable macho V Twin rumble accompanied by the adoring applause of the large assembled crowd.
Well! you've guessed it!
I have to admit that I did make it further than 300 yds, but not much, before the mighty beast stuttered to an unceremonious halt, with ominously large volumes of oily fumes burping out of its beautiful chrome Contis.
Never was there a more apt Swan Song for this than - 'Smoke gets in your eyes'
Thoroughly disheartened, as I waited at the roadside for the cavalry to come to the rescue, this wee guy stops beside me, his een dancing on his cheeks, and says - 'Haw Mister - that bikes a stotirr'
I thought - Ok so I only made it 300 yds, but at least I arrived in style! - talk about Deja vu!
Better stop all this reminiscing, because I can feel the urge to get my loons down from the loft and try them on again
Oops perhaps on second thoughts, not a good idea really, because I now remember they are 32" waist.
I know Ducati owners like pain but there is a limit!
Edited by songman3 on Sunday 28th March 23:34
Edited by songman3 on Sunday 28th March 23:35
Edited by songman3 on Sunday 28th March 23:40
Edited by songman3 on Sunday 28th March 23:54
songman3 said:
As far as I recall, it was here - a long long time ago!
I think this used to be Bumpers.In the early eighties they had a shabby Aston Martin DB6 for sale at £6000. I offered them a straight swap for my two year old Ford RS1600 (XR3 shape). The salesman said they did'nt do swaps but he would take my car and £500, I said no thanks !
Interesting to compare what they are worth now.
bigblock said:
songman3 said:
As far as I recall, it was here - a long long time ago!
I think this used to be Bumpers.In the early eighties they had a shabby Aston Martin DB6 for sale at £6000. I offered them a straight swap for my two year old Ford RS1600 (XR3 shape). The salesman said they did'nt do swaps but he would take my car and £500, I said no thanks !
Interesting to compare what they are worth now.
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