Anyone remember: A.FERRARIS LTD Cricklewood NW2?
Discussion
Wondering if anyone here might be able to shed some light on this:
I was having a bit of a clear out the other day and I came across this old tax disc holder that My Father gave Me Years and years ago (back in the days of the three day working week and regular power cuts!):
The dark blue sections read: A.FERRARIS LTD at the top, and 200~220 THE BROADWAY CRICKLEWOOD NW2 at the bottom.
The light blue centre reads:
AUTOMOBILE
GLADSTONE
2234-56
DISTRIBUTORS
(Having done a Google map search of the address, I see that the building is now a "BEACON BINGO" place)
I was wondering if anyone here knew anything of this "Automobile Distributor", and what manufacturers/vehicles they dealt with (a Google search of the name brought no results).
Hopefully someone might know as it's bugged Me for the last 40 years!
I was having a bit of a clear out the other day and I came across this old tax disc holder that My Father gave Me Years and years ago (back in the days of the three day working week and regular power cuts!):
The dark blue sections read: A.FERRARIS LTD at the top, and 200~220 THE BROADWAY CRICKLEWOOD NW2 at the bottom.
The light blue centre reads:
AUTOMOBILE
GLADSTONE
2234-56
DISTRIBUTORS
(Having done a Google map search of the address, I see that the building is now a "BEACON BINGO" place)
I was wondering if anyone here knew anything of this "Automobile Distributor", and what manufacturers/vehicles they dealt with (a Google search of the name brought no results).
Hopefully someone might know as it's bugged Me for the last 40 years!
I have emailed Ferraris Piston Services Ltd (now FPS Ltd) with an enquiry concerning a link to A.FERRARIS LTD - It will be interesting to see what information they can supply (if any).
It seems a little bit odd to Me that the tax disc would state: AUTOMOBILE DISTRIBUTORS, if they were a car parts supplier, as the term "automobile distributors" sounds more like a car dealership - Surely if they were a parts supplier, then the tax disc holder would have stated: AUTOMOBILE PARTS DISTRIBUTOR?
Hopefully FPS Ltd will be able to help shed some light on this matter one way or another!
It seems a little bit odd to Me that the tax disc would state: AUTOMOBILE DISTRIBUTORS, if they were a car parts supplier, as the term "automobile distributors" sounds more like a car dealership - Surely if they were a parts supplier, then the tax disc holder would have stated: AUTOMOBILE PARTS DISTRIBUTOR?
Hopefully FPS Ltd will be able to help shed some light on this matter one way or another!
4rephill said:
I have emailed Ferraris Piston Services Ltd (now FPS Ltd) with an enquiry concerning a link to A.FERRARIS LTD - It will be interesting to see what information they can supply (if any).
It seems a little bit odd to Me that the tax disc would state: AUTOMOBILE DISTRIBUTORS, if they were a car parts supplier, as the term "automobile distributors" sounds more like a car dealership - Surely if they were a parts supplier, then the tax disc holder would have stated: AUTOMOBILE PARTS DISTRIBUTOR?
Hopefully FPS Ltd will be able to help shed some light on this matter one way or another!
I wonder if it refers to the distributor (as in, the part of an old car that generates timed sparks) rather than the act of distributing car parts as a supplier.It seems a little bit odd to Me that the tax disc would state: AUTOMOBILE DISTRIBUTORS, if they were a car parts supplier, as the term "automobile distributors" sounds more like a car dealership - Surely if they were a parts supplier, then the tax disc holder would have stated: AUTOMOBILE PARTS DISTRIBUTOR?
Hopefully FPS Ltd will be able to help shed some light on this matter one way or another!
A bit of an update:
I had a very nice reply this morning from FPS Ltd's Customer Service Team Leader: Emily Agar, who was able to confirm that they did have a premises in Cricklewood @ the 1930's, and she believes it may be possible that My tax disc holder relates to their company, but couldn't confirm it.
I think My next best option is to contact some of the classic car publications and classic car websites and see if they can shed any more light on the subject.
I had a very nice reply this morning from FPS Ltd's Customer Service Team Leader: Emily Agar, who was able to confirm that they did have a premises in Cricklewood @ the 1930's, and she believes it may be possible that My tax disc holder relates to their company, but couldn't confirm it.
oxford drinker said:
I believe A. Ferraris Ltd were a commercial vehicle dealership, supplying Ford trucks and buses.
Hmmm....That could add another twist to the story!I think My next best option is to contact some of the classic car publications and classic car websites and see if they can shed any more light on the subject.
Bizarrely, the name rang a bell with me, and now I'm home I've found the reference - something I was reading whilst suffering from flu earlier in the week. I am researching histories of passenger vehicles and their operators in Oxfordshire and in passing read only yesterday of a vehicle (a Dodge) which was "recorded passing to London NW2 dealer Ferraris in 5/1942".
If you google "A Ferraris Ltd" this seems to eliminate most the Ferrari car results and brings up a few Commercial Motor articles from the 1930s referring to the company, at the address displayed on your tax disc holder, and a couple I looked at show that the company seemed to be displaying Ford and Fordson vehicles at shows.
ETA: looking at some of the Google results, seems like they took on a bit of vehicle engineering too....
http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/12th-ma...
If you google "A Ferraris Ltd" this seems to eliminate most the Ferrari car results and brings up a few Commercial Motor articles from the 1930s referring to the company, at the address displayed on your tax disc holder, and a couple I looked at show that the company seemed to be displaying Ford and Fordson vehicles at shows.
ETA: looking at some of the Google results, seems like they took on a bit of vehicle engineering too....
http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/12th-ma...
Edited by oxford drinker on Thursday 21st December 20:08
oxford drinker said:
Bizarrely, the name rang a bell with me, and now I'm home I've found the reference - something I was reading whilst suffering from flu earlier in the week. I am researching histories of passenger vehicles and their operators in Oxfordshire and in passing read only yesterday of a vehicle (a Dodge) which was "recorded passing to London NW2 dealer Ferraris in 5/1942".
If you google "A Ferraris Ltd" this seems to eliminate most the Ferrari car results and brings up a few Commercial Motor articles from the 1930s referring to the company, at the address displayed on your tax disc holder, and a couple I looked at show that the company seemed to be displaying Ford and Fordson vehicles at shows.
ETA: looking at some of the Google results, seems like they took on a bit of vehicle engineering too....
http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/12th-ma...
oxford drinker: A festive internet If you google "A Ferraris Ltd" this seems to eliminate most the Ferrari car results and brings up a few Commercial Motor articles from the 1930s referring to the company, at the address displayed on your tax disc holder, and a couple I looked at show that the company seemed to be displaying Ford and Fordson vehicles at shows.
ETA: looking at some of the Google results, seems like they took on a bit of vehicle engineering too....
http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/12th-ma...
Edited by oxford drinker on Thursday 21st December 20:08
to you Sir, and a massive Thank You! - Looking at the linked article, it appears you have solved My 40 years+ of curiosity! 
(I should have dug a bit further past all the car and Ferraris Piston Services links!)
As I come from a family with a very agricultural background, this makes a lot more sense to Me now as to how this tax disc holder came to be in our family!
Thank you once more, and I wish you a very Merry Christmas!
FPS were called "Ferraris Piston Services Ltd" from 1934.
https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/0028818...
They clearly had a hiccup in 2001, because the current FPS is...
https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/0414829...
There is an active "A. Ferraris Ltd" currently... but they were only founded in 2008.
https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/0654877...
The most likely is that it's related to...
https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/0028899...
Doesn't appear to be director crossover with FPS, but CoHo only go back to the 90s.
https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/0028818...
They clearly had a hiccup in 2001, because the current FPS is...
https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/0414829...
There is an active "A. Ferraris Ltd" currently... but they were only founded in 2008.
https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/0654877...
The most likely is that it's related to...
https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/0028899...
Doesn't appear to be director crossover with FPS, but CoHo only go back to the 90s.
4rephill said:
oxford drinker: A festive internet to you Sir, and a massive Thank You! - Looking at the linked article, it appears you have solved My 40 years+ of curiosity!
(I should have dug a bit further past all the car and Ferraris Piston Services links!)
As I come from a family with a very agricultural background, this makes a lot more sense to Me now as to how this tax disc holder came to be in our family!
Thank you once more, and I wish you a very Merry Christmas!
You're most welcome! It's rare for any of the useless information I know to be of any interest or use to anyone else to you Sir, and a massive Thank You! - Looking at the linked article, it appears you have solved My 40 years+ of curiosity! (I should have dug a bit further past all the car and Ferraris Piston Services links!)
As I come from a family with a very agricultural background, this makes a lot more sense to Me now as to how this tax disc holder came to be in our family!
Thank you once more, and I wish you a very Merry Christmas!
so pleased to be of service on this occasion! A Merry Christmas to you too.I made the error of searching for: "A.FERRARIS LTD automobile distributors", as written on the tax disc holder - That instantly kept throwing up page after page of either Ferrari related sites, or FPS sites. As suggested, just searching A.FERRARIS LTD brings up the results required (lesson learnt: Sometimes less is best!)
This page: https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/A._Ferraris seems to suggest a possible link to FPS in 1984, but it doesn't seem to be certain proof (the A.FERRARIS Ltd advert for the "BOHNALITE INVARSTRUT PISTONS" does seem to add some credence to the possibility though)
It's interesting to see how A.FERRARIS were using a similar elongated F to the famous car manufacturer (along with an elongated tail to the S at the end of the name)
I have noted also that the FERRARI tractor company also seemingly used to use an elongated F originally, but then eventually dropped it (I wonder if Ferrari S.P.A had words about it?
)
I will try to do a little more digging into A.FERRARIS LTD, and any possible links to FPS LTD, but I suspect there is going to be very limited information available.
At least now I know the origins of My Tax disc holder thanks to oxford drinker - A 40 year old case is solved, and without the aid of Lewis!
This page: https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/A._Ferraris seems to suggest a possible link to FPS in 1984, but it doesn't seem to be certain proof (the A.FERRARIS Ltd advert for the "BOHNALITE INVARSTRUT PISTONS" does seem to add some credence to the possibility though)
It's interesting to see how A.FERRARIS were using a similar elongated F to the famous car manufacturer (along with an elongated tail to the S at the end of the name)
I have noted also that the FERRARI tractor company also seemingly used to use an elongated F originally, but then eventually dropped it (I wonder if Ferrari S.P.A had words about it?
)I will try to do a little more digging into A.FERRARIS LTD, and any possible links to FPS LTD, but I suspect there is going to be very limited information available.
At least now I know the origins of My Tax disc holder thanks to oxford drinker - A 40 year old case is solved, and without the aid of Lewis!
Will_turn said:
Hi, signed up on here because of this thread. The company in question was 'Ferraris Ltd' Cars & Trucks.
The sign outside the building included 'Austin Ford Dodge Jensen'
Hope this image has uploaded. It is from 1953.
The sign outside the building included 'Austin Ford Dodge Jensen'
Hope this image has uploaded. It is from 1953.
Will_turn said:
Another pic...
Will
Thank you so much for posting the pictures - Incredible finds!Will
I'm genuinely grateful to everyone for helping to solve this mystery that has had me stumped for so many years (and seriously impressed too!)
I'm now wondering just how many of these tax disc holders from "A Ferraris Ltd" still exist? (not many I suspect!)
kjs62 said:
Thought I'd seen this somewhere - took a bit of searching through old Motor /Autocar mags
Advert taken from the Autocar June 1960
Great thread, loved this! I'd buy all of them right now at full asking price!Advert taken from the Autocar June 1960
Edited by kjs62 on Wednesday 5th September 11:48
Plus looking at that ad it looks like some people might have a VERY old PPI claim to make!
My Dad worked at Ferraris of Cricklewood from around 1938 to 1962. He was a mechanic from 38 to late 43. Ferraris did a lot of military work during the war which kept my dad from being called up. He eventually was called up and went into the REME where he became a staff sergeant working on heavy vehicles and tanks.
He returned to Ferraris in 1946 and was the service manager for a time. Cars sales began to take off but there was a shortage of cars both new and used. Old Man Ferrari sent my dad out to scour the southern counties for cars. So my dad became a wholesale buyer during the week and a salesman on Saturdays. I remember in the mid 50's, one Saturday a year my dad would take me to work and I would spend the day sitting in all the different cars in the showroom. At that time Ferrari had Ford, Austin, Triumph, Simca and a few other franchises. My dad got a new car every year, we had an assortment of Popular's, Anglia's, A 40's, Heralds and an assortment of used cars, Standard Vanguard, Simca, Ford Consul.. I will always remember the great smell of the new cars. Many of my dads family bought cars from Frerrari's.
Ferrari had the separate business's .The piston service and the Commercial Dodge franchise.
Old man Ferrari owned a small farm somewhere outside of London where he raised Rabbits and Chickens. He would bring some in and share them with the staff. Ferrari had a son who worked with my dad in sales.
I spent many years in the motor trade in the UK and even a couple of years in the USA before embarking on a new career. I have so many found memories of my times at Ferrari's and enjoy reading and keeping up with all the latest new about cars, even buying and selling a few along the way.
He returned to Ferraris in 1946 and was the service manager for a time. Cars sales began to take off but there was a shortage of cars both new and used. Old Man Ferrari sent my dad out to scour the southern counties for cars. So my dad became a wholesale buyer during the week and a salesman on Saturdays. I remember in the mid 50's, one Saturday a year my dad would take me to work and I would spend the day sitting in all the different cars in the showroom. At that time Ferrari had Ford, Austin, Triumph, Simca and a few other franchises. My dad got a new car every year, we had an assortment of Popular's, Anglia's, A 40's, Heralds and an assortment of used cars, Standard Vanguard, Simca, Ford Consul.. I will always remember the great smell of the new cars. Many of my dads family bought cars from Frerrari's.
Ferrari had the separate business's .The piston service and the Commercial Dodge franchise.
Old man Ferrari owned a small farm somewhere outside of London where he raised Rabbits and Chickens. He would bring some in and share them with the staff. Ferrari had a son who worked with my dad in sales.
I spent many years in the motor trade in the UK and even a couple of years in the USA before embarking on a new career. I have so many found memories of my times at Ferrari's and enjoy reading and keeping up with all the latest new about cars, even buying and selling a few along the way.
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