Purchase Tax! I feel old - I still remember D (for decimalisation) day - set off on a Blue Train from Hyndland Station to go on a school trip!

As a kid I remember a garage at the corner of Mosspark boulevard and Paisley Road west (Arnold Clark now) but at the time I remember passing and there were Rolls Royces and Bentley's in the showroom. Cant remember the name now.

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.

How about Skelly's the Ford dealership on the
corner of Cumbernauld Road and Proven Road.

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.

Scotish Motor Services had showroons on both sides of the road, if my memory is correct.

As far as I recall, it was here - a long long time ago!

Class

Never though of going there for picture!

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!

I thought Bumpers the Alfa Romeo dealer were on North St in the 80's