Glasgow car dealers in the 60's -70's

[Parts guy]

I joined the motor trade in 1974 in Edinburgh moved to Glasgow 1977
Just read all the reviews about Skellys Ford and Ian Skelly VW AUDI I worked for both companies Skelly Ford 3 years
Ian Skelly 15 years worked in Dumarton Ford Dealer
With Ian Skelly I worked in all his 4 dealerships Dalmarnock Rd Glasgow 82/87 Bogside Wishaw 87/88 Dalmarnock Rd 88/90 Edge Lane Liverpool 90/95.. Ancoates Manchester 95/90.. the stories I could tell about the management . Staff and customers would have you laughing but I also saw the bad side of the top management
Ruthless comes to mind ...made you ruthless ...after Skellys I move to Saudi Arabia for 6 years Oman 2years USA 6 years so the grounding I received at Skellys did me well

[thefamoushoops]

Great thread, thanks folks.

Parts guy said:

the stories I could tell about the management . Staff and customers would have you laughing but I also saw the bad side of the top management
Ruthless comes to mind

I'm sure we'd all love to hear more.

[cardigankid]

bambie said:

re Skellys, the garages were started by Skelly senior and 3 sons entered and ran the business namely Billy, Sherwood and Ian. At one point they were the biggest Ford dealers in Europe with 5 dealerships (at the time Ford only allowed a dealer group of 5 Ford dealerships) in Motherwell, Glasgow, Dumbarton, Kilmarnock and I think Kirkintilloch.

I think Kirkintilloch was a separate dealership run by Gillespie who owned Rangers FC before David Murray. Ian Skelly was also a Rangers director after his retirement from the motor trade. He is of course a legend after his VW start from scratch following parting from the Ford business (which folded without him)

[S2red]

Gillespies were the Vauxhall dealership in KIrkintilloch

[cardigankid]

You’re right. Who were the Ford dealers?

[S2red]

That's bugging me now

Someone will remember shortly

Peoples?

But suspect is was someone before that

[Plastic chicken]

Alexanders, who also had branches in Cumbernauld town centre (where Burger King now stands), & Greenock, where they also had a large bodyshop in another part of the town.

Edited by Plastic chicken on Tuesday 12th February 22:51

[r.s.logan]

Jack Gillespie never owned Rangers but was a director for almost 20 yrs and well respected by the club and fans for his contribution over those years

[r.s.logan]

Plastic chicken said:

Alexanders, who also had branches in Cumbernauld town centre (where Burger King now stands), & Greenock, where they also had a large bodyshop in another part of the town.

Edited by Plastic chicken on Tuesday 12th February 22:51

Correct .

" Alexanders, which opened Ford's first dealership in Scotland in 1910, earlier this year sold its Greenock operation, and has now sold Alexanders of Kirkintilloch, a Ford main dealer with premises at Kirkintilloch and Cumbernauld, "

[Cabb]

Yes Croft motors Ford Gallowgate Glasgow bought my nice Red Capri off them about 1979 I think after some biker smashed up my old Mk 1 Escort I wish I still had those old Cars

[cardigankid]

r.s.logan said:

Jack Gillespie never owned Rangers but was a director for almost 20 yrs and well respected by the club and fans for his contribution over those years

Who owned Rangers in that era? Was that not pre-David Murray?

[matchmaker]

cardigankid said:

r.s.logan said:

Jack Gillespie never owned Rangers but was a director for almost 20 yrs and well respected by the club and fans for his contribution over those years

Who owned Rangers in that era? Was that not pre-David Murray?

Lawrence the builder owned Rangers for many years. Lived out Blanefield/Strathblane way I think.

[r.s.logan]

John Lawrence became chairman of Rangers in 1963 until 1973 when he retired due to ill health . When he died in 1977 at the age of 82, control of his company jumped a generation to his grandson Lawrence Marlborough who lived in America . Mr Marlborough's firm sold Rangers to David Murray for £6m in November 1988,

[woodysnr]

Was John Paton off Paton Taxi's who supplied black cabs not Chairman of Rangers in the 80's Did some work for him at his house in Newton Mearns .
Google is your friend https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12180882.john-...

Edited by woodysnr on Saturday 9th March 16:45

[Plastic chicken]

I worked, albeit briefly, for Halley's of Milngavie back in the day, run by the two brothers Jack & Ralph. Both very pleasant fellows, Jack was the sensible one, Ralph mad as a box of frogs (I mean that in the nicest possible way!). I recall he dabbled in rallying in a prepared Vauxhall Nova, but I don't know how successfully.
A quick Google search suggests that they ceased trading in 2012..anybody know any more than that?

[ian2144]

Plastic chicken said:

I worked, albeit briefly, for Halley's of Milngavie back in the day, run by the two brothers Jack & Ralph. Both very pleasant fellows, Jack was the sensible one, Ralph mad as a box of frogs (I mean that in the nicest possible way!). I recall he dabbled in rallying in a prepared Vauxhall Nova, but I don't know how successfully.
A quick Google search suggests that they ceased trading in 2012..anybody know any more than that?

I remember Ralph well. We watched him race (saloon cars) many a time at Ingliston, in the late 60’s and most of the 70’s. Sadly I can’t remember all the cars he raced - Austin A40, Honda Civic series 1 and an Opel Kadett GT/E.

[cas20]

Plastic chicken said:

I worked, albeit briefly, for Halley's of Milngavie back in the day, run by the two brothers Jack & Ralph. Both very pleasant fellows, Jack was the sensible one, Ralph mad as a box of frogs (I mean that in the nicest possible way!). I recall he dabbled in rallying in a prepared Vauxhall Nova, but I don't know how successfully.
A quick Google search suggests that they ceased trading in 2012..anybody know any more than that?

My understanding was that they retained the premises and AC lease the site. This may have changed but the company (Halley's Garage) is still active as far as accounts etc is considered and has some of the same directors as Burnhouse Caravans Ltd.

[r.s.logan]

woodysnr said:

Was John Paton off Paton Taxi's who supplied black cabs not Chairman of Rangers in the 80's Did some work for him at his house in Newton Mearns .
Google is your friend https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12180882.john-...

Edited by woodysnr on Saturday 9th March 16:45

John Paton was chairman from 1984 till 1986 but never owned the club .

[r.s.logan]

cas20 said:

My understanding was that they retained the premises and AC lease the site. This may have changed but the company (Halley's Garage) is still active as far as accounts etc is considered and has some of the same directors as Burnhouse Caravans Ltd.

I believe it is another company taken over by A Clark and the company name retained like what has happened with other premises .

[r.s.logan]

Plastic chicken said:

I worked, albeit briefly, for Halley's of Milngavie back in the day, run by the two brothers Jack & Ralph. Both very pleasant fellows, Jack was the sensible one, Ralph mad as a box of frogs (I mean that in the nicest possible way!). I recall he dabbled in rallying in a prepared Vauxhall Nova, but I don't know how successfully.
A quick Google search suggests that they ceased trading in 2012..anybody know any more than that?

My Works Manager , Ron Hugh left to take over at Halleys as Service Manager . The Halleys had been friends with him and our owner R.S.Logan for years . I took over his position after he left .

Edited by r.s.logan on Monday 11th March 19:44