Glasgow car dealers in the 60's -70's
Discussion
Phunk said:
Very interesting viewing my late father in law bought cars from them way before I knew him .The amount of tenement's in the film always thought NM was an affluent area;)HendryG said:
I'm a good bit younger than you so all my recollections of Kilmarnock are mid 80s onwards:
- Blair and Gray at Beansburn, Yugo dealers and then later Skoda dealers.
- Dalry Motor Company at East Shaw Street/High Glencairn Street which is now a Lidl or Aldi, was a Renault dealership then changed to Citroen.
- As well as J & W Scott Vauxhall dealers, at that point there was also an Opel dealer before Vauxhall/Opel began being sold together under the one roof. Possibly called Grange Motors?
- Bickets at Campbell Street which before it became a mish mash of different brands in the 2000s and then got took over by Verve was 3 separate dealerships, Fiat at the roundabout, then further along and across the road Mazda, then further up again and across the road was Volvo.
- Robert Wypers Seat at Wellington Street.
- The showroom at Dean Street which is now Ingram Seat. I remember it as Drew Dodds Renault, then it became the ubiquitous Arnold Clark Renault for a time, then Kershaws Cars Nissan dealership. Then when Octav Botnars AFG came about it became AFG Nissan, then AFG Vauxhall then Caledonia Vauxhall before it became Reg Vardy Vauxhall who moved to the retail park.
- Peat Road Motors Peugeot at West Langlands Street I think where Morrison's now is, later became Robert Wypers Peugeot.
- Calex Car Sales at Crookrdholm/Hurlford. Then became Gael Hyundai before Verve took them over, moved to Campbell Street Bickets for a few years then back again. Showroom still there and vacant.
- I also seem to remember a Proton dealership not far from where Dalry Motor Company were. Possibly called Kingsgate Motor Company.
Did one of these later become Parker Brothers Skoda? I remember my dad buying a 1990 136 Rapid from there. Think it was the first new car he'd bought. Looked lovely, but I remember we were back the first afternoon after buying it to get the wiper motor changed!- Blair and Gray at Beansburn, Yugo dealers and then later Skoda dealers.
- Dalry Motor Company at East Shaw Street/High Glencairn Street which is now a Lidl or Aldi, was a Renault dealership then changed to Citroen.
- As well as J & W Scott Vauxhall dealers, at that point there was also an Opel dealer before Vauxhall/Opel began being sold together under the one roof. Possibly called Grange Motors?
- Bickets at Campbell Street which before it became a mish mash of different brands in the 2000s and then got took over by Verve was 3 separate dealerships, Fiat at the roundabout, then further along and across the road Mazda, then further up again and across the road was Volvo.
- Robert Wypers Seat at Wellington Street.
- The showroom at Dean Street which is now Ingram Seat. I remember it as Drew Dodds Renault, then it became the ubiquitous Arnold Clark Renault for a time, then Kershaws Cars Nissan dealership. Then when Octav Botnars AFG came about it became AFG Nissan, then AFG Vauxhall then Caledonia Vauxhall before it became Reg Vardy Vauxhall who moved to the retail park.
- Peat Road Motors Peugeot at West Langlands Street I think where Morrison's now is, later became Robert Wypers Peugeot.
- Calex Car Sales at Crookrdholm/Hurlford. Then became Gael Hyundai before Verve took them over, moved to Campbell Street Bickets for a few years then back again. Showroom still there and vacant.
- I also seem to remember a Proton dealership not far from where Dalry Motor Company were. Possibly called Kingsgate Motor Company.
ian2144 said:
Can remember going to Blanes to see one of the first Datsun Cherrys in the Glasgow area and drooling over a Silver 240Z.
Also Hamiltons the Alfa Romeo dealer on Paisley Rd West, another viewing point for some exotic motoring. This is where I bought my Simca Rallye 1 in 1975.
Also Hamiltons the Alfa Romeo dealer on Paisley Rd West, another viewing point for some exotic motoring. This is where I bought my Simca Rallye 1 in 1975.
Interesting thread been reading it all today .Used to work in Paisley in the 60/70s Was the store manager of Lloyds Electrical in the Plaza for years .
Blane's used to sponsor the rallies way back then the Blane stages .In later years in the 80 's they had the Isuzu franchise bought 2 cars from them .The salesman was a Jim Robinson nice guy
Also in Kilmarnock, was Dick Bros. BMC dealership garage. Walk from the cross up Duke street towards the Palace Theatre (its now a precinct), and turn left along the river and you'd see Dick Bros. Huge place!
I remember walking along there with my Dad and meeting his friend and his son coming out of the garage. The young lad was holding a balloon and a plastic bag with a goldfish in it..
"Hello" said my Dad, "..I see you managed to trade in your old car after all then?"
I remember walking along there with my Dad and meeting his friend and his son coming out of the garage. The young lad was holding a balloon and a plastic bag with a goldfish in it..
"Hello" said my Dad, "..I see you managed to trade in your old car after all then?"
47p2 said:
A tad later than the 60s-70s
This was June 1985. A few are still around but many gone now
A lot of the premises are still car dealers, just mostly the ubiquitous Arnold Clark now, Prossers Rover at Royston Road has been Arnie's since 1995, Rover then Nissan and now Seat/Hyundai. Haldane's which was also a Seat dealer in later years is gone now, think one of their sites is now a Scotmid or Costcutter shop, Fairbairns BMW in Giffnock and Irvine still there and still called Fairbairns but now owned by Arnie. Menzies BMW in Stirling still there too but owned by Macrae and Dick now. Henry Bros BMW is now Parks/Douglas Park at Kyle Street/Pinkston Road, SMT Citroen Stirling is now an Arnold Clark Vauxhall dealership, Bridgend in Irvine is still there but now just used cars no Mitsubishi franchise, and Fairbairns Fiat showroom in Irvine is now Fairbairns Mini showroom. Shearers Ford in Balfron is gone recently I think, Doonfoot Honda became County Saab then Parks Saab then Parks Suzuki and now back to Honda for Parks again gone full circle. Fairbairns Honda showroom is now Arnold Clark Prestige and Performance behind Fairbairns BMw/Mini, St Andrews Honda changed name to Henry's and moved to Titwood Road and Maxwell Road became Skoda then eventually moved to Kyle Street. Hampden Cars Mazda not sure what happened to the Paisley branch but I'm sure the showroom of the Glasgow branch at Mount Florida still exists as Niddrie Motor Company. Prossers Mazda long gone. Belmont Nissan who were part of John Martin Group the Kirkintilloch site became Fraser and Crawford Peugeot site until 2008, now vacant. Bishopbriggs site became Weir Toyota then Weir Honda then BMW Motorrad and is now a Tedescos Tiling. Clydebank now a funeral directors I think. Jesner and RJ Cross now gone. Bob Rae became AFG, now gone. Church Peugeot Greenock closed about 2002 I think. Graham and Morton Renault Stirling still exists but as Arnold Clark. Centre Cars Renault again part of John Martin Group changed to Weir Nissan then Murray Chrysler Jeep and later Hyundai and still exists as Arnold Clark Hyundai/Jeep. David W Reid Saab got taken over by Taggarts but closed around 1990/91 along with a few of their other branches when they ran into trouble and focussed on Maryhill and Motherwell branches. Cambuslea Garage I'm sure later changed to Suzuki, and got taken over and ran briefly by Whitecraigs the Suzuki dealer in Shawlands. Not sure what happened to Blames of Paisley but Vicarburn Motors in Newarthill still exist as a garage but not car sales, and Mackay and Jardine Vauxhall in Motherwell was already Parks owned by this point but didn't change name until early 90s, it changed from Vauxhall to Renault in 2004 when Parks lost/gave up the Vauxhall franchise and then added Fiat in 2009. This was June 1985. A few are still around but many gone now
Edited by HendryG on Thursday 17th December 01:38
Edited by HendryG on Thursday 17th December 01:57
Your knowledge is encyclopaedic HendryG. Incredible!! Where in the city do you stay? I remember the Kirkintilloch Road site when it was Weir the Datsun People, then became Belmont after Mr Weir had the temerity to purchase a Rolls Royce apparently - Mr Botnar spat the dummy it is said and stripped him of the franchise........ Weirs also had the site in Kirkitilloch that is now Hayston Garage if memory serves. Hayston moved there after vacating the premise across from the Kirky Rob Roy football ground.....
Belmont had Nissan, Honda then back to Nissan in the Briggs if I recall.........
As an aside - do you remember that JM Group were supposed to have been opening a huge motor village in the mid 80's on the site in Springburn that is nor Costco/Tesco? was a disused carriers hub at the time if I recall....... I remember as a spotty 16 year old applying to work there if it came to fruition.
Guess where in the city I stay :-)
Belmont had Nissan, Honda then back to Nissan in the Briggs if I recall.........
As an aside - do you remember that JM Group were supposed to have been opening a huge motor village in the mid 80's on the site in Springburn that is nor Costco/Tesco? was a disused carriers hub at the time if I recall....... I remember as a spotty 16 year old applying to work there if it came to fruition.
Guess where in the city I stay :-)
Edited by StescoG66 on Thursday 17th December 10:50
HendryG said:
Bob Rae became AFG, now gone.
I think the building is still there though. Assuming I'm thinking of the right place (opposite St. Paul's Church on Shettleston Road), it became a Job Centre eventually, possibly after being some other sort of office, but is now disused. Pretty sure the showroom was just converted rather than being demolished & replaced.StescoG66 said:
Your knowledge is encyclopaedic HendryG. Incredible!! Where in the city do you stay? I remember the Kirkintilloch Road site when it was Weir the Datsun People, then became Belmont after Mr Weir had the temerity to purchase a Rolls Royce apparently - Mr Botnar spat the dummy it is said and stripped him of the franchise........ Weirs also had the site in Kirkitilloch that is now Hayston Garage if memory serves. Hayston moved there after vacating the premise across from the Kirky Rob Roy football ground.....
Belmont had Nissan, Honda then back to Nissan in the Briggs if I recall.........
As an aside - do you remember that JM Group were supposed to have been opening a huge motor village in the mid 80's on the site in Springburn that is nor Costco/Tesco? was a disused carriers hub at the time if I recall....... I remember as a spotty 16 year old applying to work there if it came to fruition.
Guess where in the city I stay :-)
I stay in Barrhead but ive always had an interest in cars since I was in nappies, most peoples idols growing up were sportsmen or famous actors, mine was Arnie Clark! I worked for them for a few years and realised just how poor their customer service was, left because the general manager towards then end of my time was a nutter! My knowledge comes from dealerships I remember growing up, stickers and plates on cars I saw growing up, in scrappies and so on, old newspaper ads, googling and so on. Belmont had Nissan, Honda then back to Nissan in the Briggs if I recall.........
As an aside - do you remember that JM Group were supposed to have been opening a huge motor village in the mid 80's on the site in Springburn that is nor Costco/Tesco? was a disused carriers hub at the time if I recall....... I remember as a spotty 16 year old applying to work there if it came to fruition.
Guess where in the city I stay :-)
Edited by StescoG66 on Thursday 17th December 10:50
I'm sure there was in addition to the Kirky Road site in Bishopbriggs for Weir/JM Group another of their sites on Colston Road, can't remember the franchise though, possibly Toyota and then Chrysler Jeep, I think it might originally have been the Ashfield Ford and Metrocab dealership, run by the Facenna brothers who now own the huge Allied Vehicles in Saracen.
Yeah the Bob Rae Shettleston Road site is still there, also heard the stories about Botnar stripping Weirs Nissan of the franchise because he bought a Roller, hence it was sold to John Martin Group who were it not for the death of John Martin Junior would I suspect still be huge, they started winding down after his death as there was nobody to follow Mr Martin Senior into the business. I'm certain JM Group also ran Peugeot dealerships under the Centre Cars banner, the Arnie Clark Peugeot in Clydebank was originally Centre Cars then Fairways before being took over by AC.
My head is full of useless trivia about old West of Scotland car businesses.
Colston rd was Ashfield motors if I remember correctly Just round corner from me
Ford & Chrysler
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12623712.Motor_...
Ford & Chrysler
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12623712.Motor_...
Edited by S2red on Thursday 17th December 22:14
woodysnr said:
ian2144 said:
Can remember going to Blanes to see one of the first Datsun Cherrys in the Glasgow area and drooling over a Silver 240Z.
Also Hamiltons the Alfa Romeo dealer on Paisley Rd West, another viewing point for some exotic motoring. This is where I bought my Simca Rallye 1 in 1975.
Also Hamiltons the Alfa Romeo dealer on Paisley Rd West, another viewing point for some exotic motoring. This is where I bought my Simca Rallye 1 in 1975.
Interesting thread been reading it all today .Used to work in Paisley in the 60/70s Was the store manager of Lloyds Electrical in the Plaza for years .
Blane's used to sponsor the rallies way back then the Blane stages .In later years in the 80 's they had the Isuzu franchise bought 2 cars from them .The salesman was a Jim Robinson nice guy
HendryG said:
I stay in Barrhead but ive always had an interest in cars since I was in nappies, most peoples idols growing up were sportsmen or famous actors, mine was Arnie Clark! I worked for them for a few years and realised just how poor their customer service was, left because the general manager towards then end of my time was a nutter! My knowledge comes from dealerships I remember growing up, stickers and plates on cars I saw growing up, in scrappies and so on, old newspaper ads, googling and so on.
I'm sure there was in addition to the Kirky Road site in Bishopbriggs for Weir/JM Group another of their sites on Colston Road, can't remember the franchise though, possibly Toyota and then Chrysler Jeep, I think it might originally have been the Ashfield Ford and Metrocab dealership, run by the Facenna brothers who now own the huge Allied Vehicles in Saracen.
Yeah the Bob Rae Shettleston Road site is still there, also heard the stories about Botnar stripping Weirs Nissan of the franchise because he bought a Roller, hence it was sold to John Martin Group who were it not for the death of John Martin Junior would I suspect still be huge, they started winding down after his death as there was nobody to follow Mr Martin Senior into the business. I'm certain JM Group also ran Peugeot dealerships under the Centre Cars banner, the Arnie Clark Peugeot in Clydebank was originally Centre Cars then Fairways before being took over by AC.
My head is full of useless trivia about old West of Scotland car businesses.
I am from Bishopbriggs now in Lenzie so north of the city is my stomping ground.I'm sure there was in addition to the Kirky Road site in Bishopbriggs for Weir/JM Group another of their sites on Colston Road, can't remember the franchise though, possibly Toyota and then Chrysler Jeep, I think it might originally have been the Ashfield Ford and Metrocab dealership, run by the Facenna brothers who now own the huge Allied Vehicles in Saracen.
Yeah the Bob Rae Shettleston Road site is still there, also heard the stories about Botnar stripping Weirs Nissan of the franchise because he bought a Roller, hence it was sold to John Martin Group who were it not for the death of John Martin Junior would I suspect still be huge, they started winding down after his death as there was nobody to follow Mr Martin Senior into the business. I'm certain JM Group also ran Peugeot dealerships under the Centre Cars banner, the Arnie Clark Peugeot in Clydebank was originally Centre Cars then Fairways before being took over by AC.
My head is full of useless trivia about old West of Scotland car businesses.
I forgot about Colston Road......Now flats. I remember it as being Ashfield originally, then I think you are correct in that it became Weir Toyota (Which was also in Kirkitilloch Road for a spell too.....) but Colston also was Nissan for a while as Mrs had a company Primera for a spell (great car) and that was where it had to go for servicing - this would be the late 90's as she had that car from 96 until 98. Weir Nissan had started again in Shields Road and London Road after the original importer (Mr Botnar) got his jotters in 1991-ish.....if memory serves.
I too was just a car daft kid, and these things just kinda stuck in my mind. Is the old Bob Rae site in Shettleston Road not what is now the Co-Op?? Remember the proliferation too in the mid-80's of Mr Botnars AFG sites too
StescoG66 said:
I am from Bishopbriggs now in Lenzie so north of the city is my stomping ground.
I forgot about Colston Road......Now flats. I remember it as being Ashfield originally, then I think you are correct in that it became Weir Toyota (Which was also in Kirkitilloch Road for a spell too.....) but Colston also was Nissan for a while as Mrs had a company Primera for a spell (great car) and that was where it had to go for servicing - this would be the late 90's as she had that car from 96 until 98. Weir Nissan had started again in Shields Road and London Road after the original importer (Mr Botnar) got his jotters in 1991-ish.....if memory serves.
I too was just a car daft kid, and these things just kinda stuck in my mind. Is the old Bob Rae site in Shettleston Road not what is now the Co-Op?? Remember the proliferation too in the mid-80's of Mr Botnars AFG sites too
A large number of AFGs ended up as Reg Vardy and now exist as Arnold Clark and Evans Halshaw branches, I think after Nissan binnes them off AFG moved into Vauxhall, Renault, Fiat, Peugeot and Citroen franchises, and then were taken over by the wealthy Barclay brothers owned Caledonia Motor Group, Reg Vardy bought the majority of their Scottish branches in 1998/99, whilst they continued down south for a few years. You had AFG Drivers on Pollokshaws Road which became a Renault franchise, AFG Roundabout EK which also became Renault, Reg Vardy sold them to Arnie in 2002 and Pollokshaws existed until the start of the month when it moved to Hillington and the site is now due to become VW when Kilmarnock Road VW AC moves there. EK almost immediately dropped the Renault franchise when AC acquired it in 2002 and became a Motorstore, there was also AFG Leaders on Springburn Road which became Fiat as well as AFG Paisley which also became Fiat, both of these were sold by Pendragon/Evans Halshaw to Arnold in 2007 when they took over Reg Vardy and decided they didn't want the Fiat franchise, then there was AFG Kilmarnock which became Vauxhall at Dean Street, Vardy built a new showroom on Queens Drive Retail Park and it became Halshaws in the Vardy takeover along with Ardrossan Vauxhall which wasn't AFG but instead bought by Caledonia in 1997 from AT May's Motors (the same people whom owned the travel agent chain, and a Honda franchise in Stevenston) it took became Halshaws in the Vardy takeover. I forgot about Colston Road......Now flats. I remember it as being Ashfield originally, then I think you are correct in that it became Weir Toyota (Which was also in Kirkitilloch Road for a spell too.....) but Colston also was Nissan for a while as Mrs had a company Primera for a spell (great car) and that was where it had to go for servicing - this would be the late 90's as she had that car from 96 until 98. Weir Nissan had started again in Shields Road and London Road after the original importer (Mr Botnar) got his jotters in 1991-ish.....if memory serves.
I too was just a car daft kid, and these things just kinda stuck in my mind. Is the old Bob Rae site in Shettleston Road not what is now the Co-Op?? Remember the proliferation too in the mid-80's of Mr Botnars AFG sites too
Re: Weir Nissan London Road, was this not originally a Volvo dealer, JM Group bought it and a Volvo showroom at Woodlands Road from someone else in the 80s and changed it to Murray Volvo, I think at that point Taggarts on Maryhill Road were a Nissan dealer they lost/gave up the franchise and the London Road site dropped Volvo to take on Nissan because JM already ran Volvo elsewhere in the city and I'm sure Gaulds on Garscube Road picked up the Volvo franchise, I think London Road later changed from Nissan to Skoda when Arnie started getting his hands on the Nissan franchises all over the country, they had 6 Nissan showrooms when they lost the franchise earlier this year but I remember at one point they had about 15, Prestwick, Mosspark Boulevard, Royston Road, Hamilton Road Mount Vernon (later South Street) Stirling, Paisley (later Linwood), Dundee, Perth, Cumbernauld, Warrington, Dumfries, Liverpool, Seafield and Sighthill Edinburgh, Livingston.
I'm wondering if anyone remembers that Arnie had 2 showrooms on Park Road, the original branch and one purchased later, Google searches throw up with 52-56 Park Road and 10-154 Park Road addresses, suggesting it wasn't 2 separate branches but instead the original branch was extended, and also if anyone remembers what franchise it help prior to Arnie installing the Proton franchise in 1989 which it was until it closed in 2002 (along with a a Nippy Sweetie scooter franchise) as old Evening Times newspapers on Google suggest it was both an Austin Rover and Vauxhall/Opel dealership in the 80s with Vinicombe Street being the after sales franchised workshop for that sales branch.
I recall the Nippy Sweetie and Proton franchises - one of the units is now Sonny and Vitos deli. Arnold still owns the property as he pays his rent to AC as does Luigi the barber next door.
Vinicombe street is still lying derelict which is a great shame - lovely old building which would make a great bar/diner (something like an urban Ace Café perhaps.......)
Vinicombe street is still lying derelict which is a great shame - lovely old building which would make a great bar/diner (something like an urban Ace Café perhaps.......)
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