Glasgow car dealers in the 60's -70's
Discussion
duka said:
any photos of old dealerships?
Some pictures of Watsons of Coatbridge here: http://www.monklands.co.uk/watson3/index.htmlNow it's a Magnet kitchen shop and a tool hire depot. Still in the same building that was originally the tram depot.
IainW said:
duka said:
any photos of old dealerships?
Some pictures of Watsons of Coatbridge here: http://www.monklands.co.uk/watson3/index.htmlNow it's a Magnet kitchen shop and a tool hire depot. Still in the same building that was originally the tram depot.
Hugo a Gogo said:
when I was a kid in Glasgow (mid 70s), we lived in Springburn. I remember there was a car dealer on a corner somewhere that had a Starsky and Hutch car in the windows, that we used to pass on the way to some relatives. I'm not sure where it was, Bishopbriggs maybe? or was it Cumbernauld Rd, on the way to Stepps? Anyone know?
That wouldn't be where Ashfield Motors once was would it? (closed down late around 89/90) On the corner of springburn road near colston road. Used to work there when i was 17.Johnny
Edited by johnnyr6 on Wednesday 21st July 22:13
As a kid I remember seeing stickers for most of the dealerships mentioned. Thing was I grew up in Livingston, er in the 80s!
I remember Belmont Datsun (Later Belmont Hyundai/Mazda as the John Martin group)
It then became Bradley Fiat (Who used to trade as Jones FSO)
After they went bust Arnold Shark took over with Nissan (Which it still is today)I done my apprenticeship there!
Its at the end of my folks road!
There was also Livingston Renault which changed to AFG Nissan then back to Renault. It was empty last time I saw it.
Peoples Ford was down near the shopping centre, its still there. It wasn't always Peoples though. Am I right in thinking it started as Alexanders or Trust motors? (Alexanders were the big Ford dealer in Edinburgh, Peoples were the Ford dealer in Bathgate, now flats)
There was also a Citroen dealer near where the hospital now is. It was run by MacAndrews, part of the Eastern Western motor group.
Moving further out there was McClarens in Uphall/Broxburn who were the Austin Rover dealer. They also sold boats and caravans. I remember seeing a McClaren Formula 1 in their showroom once!
My Dad bought a Gold Chevette there!
It became SMT Rover, then Lex Rover. Now its Machargs Fiat (Arnold again!)
Further down the road was West End garage, the Skoda dealer. They are still there!
Going the other way there was the Vauxhall dealer in Bathgate. It was first called Tennants, then Watsons, then SMT, then Curtis motors. Now its a kwik save I think!
Down from that was Square deal motors Toyota. Its now A1 autostores. Square deal now only have 1 showroom. The massive SDM multi franchise place near Falkirks football ground.
No doubt I'll remember more as soon as I click submit! LOL!
I remember Belmont Datsun (Later Belmont Hyundai/Mazda as the John Martin group)
It then became Bradley Fiat (Who used to trade as Jones FSO)
After they went bust Arnold Shark took over with Nissan (Which it still is today)I done my apprenticeship there!
Its at the end of my folks road!
There was also Livingston Renault which changed to AFG Nissan then back to Renault. It was empty last time I saw it.
Peoples Ford was down near the shopping centre, its still there. It wasn't always Peoples though. Am I right in thinking it started as Alexanders or Trust motors? (Alexanders were the big Ford dealer in Edinburgh, Peoples were the Ford dealer in Bathgate, now flats)
There was also a Citroen dealer near where the hospital now is. It was run by MacAndrews, part of the Eastern Western motor group.
Moving further out there was McClarens in Uphall/Broxburn who were the Austin Rover dealer. They also sold boats and caravans. I remember seeing a McClaren Formula 1 in their showroom once!
My Dad bought a Gold Chevette there!
It became SMT Rover, then Lex Rover. Now its Machargs Fiat (Arnold again!)
Further down the road was West End garage, the Skoda dealer. They are still there!
Going the other way there was the Vauxhall dealer in Bathgate. It was first called Tennants, then Watsons, then SMT, then Curtis motors. Now its a kwik save I think!
Down from that was Square deal motors Toyota. Its now A1 autostores. Square deal now only have 1 showroom. The massive SDM multi franchise place near Falkirks football ground.
No doubt I'll remember more as soon as I click submit! LOL!
dunkspeed said:
Peoples Ford was down near the shopping centre, its still there. It wasn't always Peoples though. Am I right in thinking it started as Alexanders or Trust motors? (Alexanders were the big Ford dealer in Edinburgh, Peoples were the Ford dealer in Bathgate, now flats)
Peoples still exist in Falkirk. They own the Ford dealership across frm Callander Parkdunkspeed said:
Down from that was Square deal motors Toyota. Its now A1 autostores. Square deal now only have 1 showroom. The massive SDM multi franchise place near Falkirks football ground.
SDM in falkirk own 2 sites the large multi franchise behind the college as you say above but they also own the Toyota garage half way up the hill towards town.dunkspeed said:
There was also a Citroen dealer near where the hospital now is. It was run by MacAndrews, part of the Eastern Western motor group.
There was a Lada dealer there in the early to mid-80s called Earls. I remember vaguely because my dad bought one from there and they were just starting out with the St Johns construction work then.Dunkspeed said:
Going the other way there was the Vauxhall dealer in Bathgate. It was first called Tennants, then Watsons, then SMT, then Curtis motors. Now its a kwik save I think!
It's now an Original Factory Shop outlet thingy. Had a few uses after Curtis left Bathgate. Tennants also had a Renault garage in Armadale, which is now Arnold Clark Citroen. Also in Armadale was Carlos Talbot dealership, latterly Armadale Motors who sold Daihatsus. The same Carlo who runs Top Gear Cars now. In Whitburn you had J&A Browning Fiat.Dunkspeed said:
Down from that was Square deal motors Toyota. Its now A1 autostores.
It was also Lothian Cars (I think) Renault garage, which then became International Motors Subaru and Isuzu for a brief period. Something to do with the owner allegedly clocking used cars lost him the Renault deal. He also owned Lothian Cars Peugeot, which was across the road in what is now a restaurant, that was after it was based where MRD is now.Peoples in Falkirk used to be Millers I remember.
Edited by IainW on Monday 1st November 23:46
Yeah! Remember them too!
The Ford dealer at the shopping centre is Peoples now but it started out owned by someone else.
Peoples in Bathgate used to be run by Millars before Peoples took over. But after they did Millars continued to run their dealership in Falkirk for a few years (Before Peoples took that over too!)
I thought it was Alexanders who opened it. Peoples took them over in the end too and moved them to the East of Edinburgh.
The Ford dealer at the shopping centre is Peoples now but it started out owned by someone else.
Peoples in Bathgate used to be run by Millars before Peoples took over. But after they did Millars continued to run their dealership in Falkirk for a few years (Before Peoples took that over too!)
I thought it was Alexanders who opened it. Peoples took them over in the end too and moved them to the East of Edinburgh.
Oh aye! Carlos at Armadale motor company was genuinely friends with Rod Stewart!
Amongst the Daihatsus there would always be a Lamborghini or 2. Carlos private plate was Rod 65 or something like that!
I remember the big dealership at whats now the M77 turnoff for Pollockshaws and Pollock park. Think it was Taggarts. We used to pass it going to my Grans.
Down the road from it is Henrys Skoda and Honda.
The story I heard (When I worked at Phoneix in Paisley) was the Henry family (Who owned Henry Bros BMW, Queensborough Skoda & Henrys Honda) were in financial trouble.
Upon finding out Arnold Clark had bought Fairbairn BMW and was moving within spitting distance of their Clydeside Honda dealership (Machargs Ford and Mazda)the done a deal with Douglas Park and Phoenix.
Phoneix took over their Honda garage and their shares in Morrisons (Land Rover, Rover dealerships in Stirling and a BMW one in Kirkaldy) and Parks would get the BMW dealerships (Kyle st and Hillington) and Renault dealership in Kirkaldy (which they had aquired when Glenvarigal closed)
This would help them get back on an even keel. Queensborough Skoda was renamed Henrys Skoda and new showrooms were opened and everything was kept out of Evil Arnolds hands!
Phoenix and Parks have colaberated on a few dealerships together. Phoenixs Aikenhead rd Suzuki and Kia dealership was leased from Parks for example.
This might be sh@te but thats what the management told us when they took over Honda at Partick.
I do know that the managing director at the time i was at the Phoenix, John McGuire worked as the sales manager at Roundabout EK. AFGs monster Nissan complex which is now Parks Multifranchise complex.
Amongst the Daihatsus there would always be a Lamborghini or 2. Carlos private plate was Rod 65 or something like that!
I remember the big dealership at whats now the M77 turnoff for Pollockshaws and Pollock park. Think it was Taggarts. We used to pass it going to my Grans.
Down the road from it is Henrys Skoda and Honda.
The story I heard (When I worked at Phoneix in Paisley) was the Henry family (Who owned Henry Bros BMW, Queensborough Skoda & Henrys Honda) were in financial trouble.
Upon finding out Arnold Clark had bought Fairbairn BMW and was moving within spitting distance of their Clydeside Honda dealership (Machargs Ford and Mazda)the done a deal with Douglas Park and Phoenix.
Phoneix took over their Honda garage and their shares in Morrisons (Land Rover, Rover dealerships in Stirling and a BMW one in Kirkaldy) and Parks would get the BMW dealerships (Kyle st and Hillington) and Renault dealership in Kirkaldy (which they had aquired when Glenvarigal closed)
This would help them get back on an even keel. Queensborough Skoda was renamed Henrys Skoda and new showrooms were opened and everything was kept out of Evil Arnolds hands!
Phoenix and Parks have colaberated on a few dealerships together. Phoenixs Aikenhead rd Suzuki and Kia dealership was leased from Parks for example.
This might be sh@te but thats what the management told us when they took over Honda at Partick.
I do know that the managing director at the time i was at the Phoenix, John McGuire worked as the sales manager at Roundabout EK. AFGs monster Nissan complex which is now Parks Multifranchise complex.
The more I think about it, either Phoneix liked to keep their staff really well informed or they liked to tell tall tales!
Another one I heard was that Mitsubishi refuse to do business with Arnold Clark.
Arnold bought Clarkston motors Mitsubishi dealership. Mitsubishi withdrew their dealership.
Arnold bought Park automobiles in East Kilbride and Mitsy done the same.
True?
Another thing I heard (this time when I worked at Aronold Clark Vauxhall Dundee! Which was SMT then LEX) was MacLeods of Perth (Vauxhall dealer) was being run for the MacLeod family by the John Martin group because of family illness. When the Macleods decided to sell up John Martin was not interested so the dealership was up for sale. Arnold was outbid by Peter Vardy. Arnold upped his offer, so did Vardy. A bidding war ensued. Peter Vardy won, paying loads more than the dealership was worth. It was one of the first dealerships he bought after selling Reg Vardy to Lloyds TSB.
Another one I heard was that Mitsubishi refuse to do business with Arnold Clark.
Arnold bought Clarkston motors Mitsubishi dealership. Mitsubishi withdrew their dealership.
Arnold bought Park automobiles in East Kilbride and Mitsy done the same.
True?
Another thing I heard (this time when I worked at Aronold Clark Vauxhall Dundee! Which was SMT then LEX) was MacLeods of Perth (Vauxhall dealer) was being run for the MacLeod family by the John Martin group because of family illness. When the Macleods decided to sell up John Martin was not interested so the dealership was up for sale. Arnold was outbid by Peter Vardy. Arnold upped his offer, so did Vardy. A bidding war ensued. Peter Vardy won, paying loads more than the dealership was worth. It was one of the first dealerships he bought after selling Reg Vardy to Lloyds TSB.
dunkspeed said:
Oh aye! Carlos at Armadale motor company was genuinely friends with Rod Stewart!
Amongst the Daihatsus there would always be a Lamborghini or 2. Carlos private plate was Rod 65 or something like that!
I remember the big dealership at whats now the M77 turnoff for Pollockshaws and Pollock park. Think it was Taggarts. We used to pass it going to my Grans.
Down the road from it is Henrys Skoda and Honda.
The story I heard (When I worked at Phoneix in Paisley) was the Henry family (Who owned Henry Bros BMW, Queensborough Skoda & Henrys Honda) were in financial trouble.
Upon finding out Arnold Clark had bought Fairbairn BMW and was moving within spitting distance of their Clydeside Honda dealership (Machargs Ford and Mazda)the done a deal with Douglas Park and Phoenix.
Phoneix took over their Honda garage and their shares in Morrisons (Land Rover, Rover dealerships in Stirling and a BMW one in Kirkaldy) and Parks would get the BMW dealerships (Kyle st and Hillington) and Renault dealership in Kirkaldy (which they had aquired when Glenvarigal closed)
This would help them get back on an even keel. Queensborough Skoda was renamed Henrys Skoda and new showrooms were opened and everything was kept out of Evil Arnolds hands!
Phoenix and Parks have colaberated on a few dealerships together. Phoenixs Aikenhead rd Suzuki and Kia dealership was leased from Parks for example.
This might be sh@te but thats what the management told us when they took over Honda at Partick.
I do know that the managing director at the time i was at the Phoenix, John McGuire worked as the sales manager at Roundabout EK. AFGs monster Nissan complex which is now Parks Multifranchise complex.
I used to work for Arnolds, first at Citroen in Linwood, round the corner from Phoenix Honda, then at Fiat/Citroen Paisley when Arnold bought the Fiat dealers in Paisley from Pendragon after the Reg Vardy buy out and moved the Citroen franchise there and put VW and Seat from the former Ingrams VW dealership in the former Citroen dealership and sold the old dealership for apparently 5million for flats.Amongst the Daihatsus there would always be a Lamborghini or 2. Carlos private plate was Rod 65 or something like that!
I remember the big dealership at whats now the M77 turnoff for Pollockshaws and Pollock park. Think it was Taggarts. We used to pass it going to my Grans.
Down the road from it is Henrys Skoda and Honda.
The story I heard (When I worked at Phoneix in Paisley) was the Henry family (Who owned Henry Bros BMW, Queensborough Skoda & Henrys Honda) were in financial trouble.
Upon finding out Arnold Clark had bought Fairbairn BMW and was moving within spitting distance of their Clydeside Honda dealership (Machargs Ford and Mazda)the done a deal with Douglas Park and Phoenix.
Phoneix took over their Honda garage and their shares in Morrisons (Land Rover, Rover dealerships in Stirling and a BMW one in Kirkaldy) and Parks would get the BMW dealerships (Kyle st and Hillington) and Renault dealership in Kirkaldy (which they had aquired when Glenvarigal closed)
This would help them get back on an even keel. Queensborough Skoda was renamed Henrys Skoda and new showrooms were opened and everything was kept out of Evil Arnolds hands!
Phoenix and Parks have colaberated on a few dealerships together. Phoenixs Aikenhead rd Suzuki and Kia dealership was leased from Parks for example.
This might be sh@te but thats what the management told us when they took over Honda at Partick.
I do know that the managing director at the time i was at the Phoenix, John McGuire worked as the sales manager at Roundabout EK. AFGs monster Nissan complex which is now Parks Multifranchise complex.
I can clear up a couple of points you made:
- Queensborough Skoda was bought by Henry's (the other Henry's which used to be called St Andrews garage) who have a Honda dealers in Crossmyloof, and the Skoda dealership on St Andrews road, they moved the former Queensborough Skoda into the old Lomond Audi dealership at Kyle street, the St Andrews road Skoda dealership then closed down so it too moved its business to Kyle Street.
- Pretty sure Morrisons BMW/MINI in Kirkcaldy was bought by Phoenix after the collapse of the David Morrison group (Rover dealership in Falkirk)
- Park's/Phoenix on aikenhead road is now closed, the Kia/Suzuki dealerships there relocated to the Honda dealership at Hyndland which Phoenix bought from Henry's as you mention.
- Renault in Kirkcaldy was actually bought by Park's from the receivers of the Glenvarigill group when it went bust, they also bought a Renault dealership in Dunfermline from Glenvarigill at the same time, the Kirkcaldy one is now closed.
- MacLeods Vauxhall in Perth - the real story is nothing to to with the JM Group, it was sold to Autovision, this was a collaboration between 2 northern Vauxhall dealers - Mackays of Dingwall and Regency in Elgin and Buckie, they also bought a Vauxhall dealership in Inverness and called in Autovision, then in 2006 Sir Peter Vardy's son bought it from Autovision after the sale of Reg Vardy.
- Mitsubishi - Clarkston Motor Co - dont know whether arnold actually wanted the Mitsubishi franchise but he bought that site in Clarkston road and rebranded it a "Prestige and Performance Centre" which is now closed, also bought their Hyundai dealership on Alexandra Parade which still exists to this day.
The East Kilbride former Park automobile company branch - as far as i know arnold only wanted the land to expand his "Motorstore" dealership on that site which was established when arnold bought 2 Reg Vardy Renault dealerships, east kilbride and Pollokshaws road Glasgow, the Pollokshaws Renault is still there, the east kilbride one was defranchised and made a Motorstore, Park's in East Kilbride got the EK Renault franchise for the big site they have when they relinquished the Mazda franchise at EK in 2002 and put renault in the former Mazda dealership.
Arnolds have now lost the Lexus sales franchise at charing cross and Eastern Western have opened a new dealership on Kennedy street in the former Murray Volvo dealership which closed when Taggarts bought Volvo dealerships from JM Group roughly 4 or 5 years ago. Theyve also relocated Fiat from the allison street dealership to a dual franchise with Ford on the former Peoples Ford dealership in Rutherglen.
EDIT : Morrisons who had the BMW/Mini dealership in Kirkcaldy which is now Phoenix and the Rover dealership in Falkirk also ran a Subaru/Isuzu dealership in Falkirk, called Drive, this was bought by Ian Grieve from the receivers, they had Vauxhall dealerships in Stirling and Alloa too, Arnold has now also bought these.
Regards memories, i remember the massive Ford dealership in Paisley, Clanfords, my dad bought an Orion from there in 94 i think, this shut down and is now a Morrisons supermarket (which i worked in lol) and the used car site across the road is now called Commerce Car Co, used to be at commerce street in Glasgow, and sells some right exotic cars like Ferraris and Aston Martins, Arnold bought that from the receivers of First Ford also (the amalgamation of all the independent Ford dealers in Glasgow e.g, Clanford, Wylies, Premier Ford, Alexanders) and built a new showroom at the Phoenix in Linwood.
others i remember were Westcars in Crookston, firstly VW/Audi then Alfa Romeo, then became Gael Hyundai and is now a Londis shop lol. Peat Road Motors, now Arnies Renault. Whitecraigs Suzuki in Shawlands, Shields Rover/Toyota/Mazda on shields road/st andrews road (now Bristol street motors/Macklin Motors Ford and Mazda in Darnley and Shields Toyota/Land Rover on the site of the old Wylies Ford in Darnley) Wylies Ford on Pollokshaws Road,
Edited by HendryG on Wednesday 3rd November 06:32
Found these adverts on Flickr somehow, just a lucky find. Thought I'd post them up for your amusement.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33321856@N05/sets/721...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33321856@N05/sets/721...
peterzoom said:
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)
Vaguely remember going to Ross motors to test drive an Mazda RX4, was only out for twenty minutes or so and used up half a tank of fuel.IainW said:
Found these adverts on Flickr somehow, just a lucky find. Thought I'd post them up for your amusement.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33321856@N05/sets/721...
Thats excellent! Cheers! http://www.flickr.com/photos/33321856@N05/sets/721...
Interesting to see Ross Motors mentioned, a name from the past. I think they also had a small branch shop on Great Western Road. Glasgow. My memory of Ross Motors was going there in the 70s when I was a spotty teenager looking for parts for my obscure German Maico Mobil scooter. They were also dealers for Reliant and had many other 3 wheelers around, Heinkel, Isetta and so on.
Their motor cycle parts depatment was upstairs and huge, but whether or not you got what you wanted didn't so much depend on if it was in stock but who served you. They used to break machines and also buy up stocks from dealers closing down or having a clear-out. As a result they accumulated boxes of stuff, in racks "behind the scenes". I know the Woodside Road premises was scheduled for demolition anyway but if they had re-located and survived until the classic bike and car scene really kicked in their stock would have been very much in demand and fetch big bucks.
Another car/motorcycle dealer I used was located just off Charing Cross - Bell Brothers. They too had boxes of parts stored in their store-room and as luck would have it were also Maico dealers in the 1950s.
bveecon
Their motor cycle parts depatment was upstairs and huge, but whether or not you got what you wanted didn't so much depend on if it was in stock but who served you. They used to break machines and also buy up stocks from dealers closing down or having a clear-out. As a result they accumulated boxes of stuff, in racks "behind the scenes". I know the Woodside Road premises was scheduled for demolition anyway but if they had re-located and survived until the classic bike and car scene really kicked in their stock would have been very much in demand and fetch big bucks.
Another car/motorcycle dealer I used was located just off Charing Cross - Bell Brothers. They too had boxes of parts stored in their store-room and as luck would have it were also Maico dealers in the 1950s.
bveecon
Edited by bveecon on Sunday 13th February 12:48
My dad worked in Watsons of airdrie for 19 years selling Bedford Trucks up until 1978 - I recall playing in there as a kid . Thereafter in June '78 he started up his own business selling vans at Baillieston Lights where we still are to this day . My father has now retired and Im running the business , we are still going strong and its my young son who is now playing in the vans ! In the mid eighties we bought the Baillieston Miners Welfare adjacent to our current site and converted it into a showroom and workshop facility - here we had a Bedford Truck and Isuzu 4X4 franchise - In 1996 this site was purchased by Safeway which is now Morrisons . Our website is at www.clarkson-commercials.co.uk . Well done to whoever started this topic on here as its been real memory jogger for me - Cheers Barry Clarkson
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