Glasgow car dealers in the 60's -70's
Discussion
Angelus said:
I don't remember them being anything but VW/Audi called Skellys? Ian Skelly still lives in the Lee Woods between Carluke and Lanark, although his house he bought with the money from the sale to Appleyards is up for sale. I remember he bought the reg' AUD1 in the '80s. Audi wanted it and he refused to sell it, don't know if he still has it? I do know he did run the site before it was sold and he was involved when they sponsored Motherwell football club. But I was just a lad and it was 20 odd years ago.
We're talking early to mid-70s here. It was something I was reading last week where I learned that. Bill Cleland had the site first, then sold out. Although it said Appleyard when I thought Ian Skelly would have made more sense. Wasn't Ian Skelly VW/Audi his second dealership venture after he had one with his brother, the original Skellys? Then Skellys made a comeback in the 90s with what is now Arnold's Motorstore in Netherton.
IainW said:
We're talking early to mid-70s here.
I only remember from the late '70s. I didn't move to Scotland until then. Taggarts in Carluke were the Leyland garage, I don't remember a Ford one? You're right about the Motorstore in Netherton. Ian Skelly was going to make a comeback and financed a venture, but when someone makes you an offer you can't understand? You take the money and sit back. Some friends spoke to him quite a lot in 2008, when organising Dougie Arnotts testimonial they wanted him to sponsor the game so they had authentic replica shirts from when he played at Motherwell. Some of his stories must be fascinating.I remember working in the very first SEAT dealership in central Scotland, anyone remember where it was? It was short lived and a bit of shambles.
Does anyone have memories of Paisley's motor trade?
Let's start with David Blane and sons. Old David started the business before the war selling American cars; Hudsons and Pontiacs. Ended up with the Jaguar dealership and VW agency. I did some warranty work on Jags then. They lost the agency in the Leyland years and went to Datsun. They had a beautiful showroom with an apartment above. It's now a piece of waste ground!
Then there was Gillespies in Love Street and Glasgow Road who were Wolseley, Austin/Morris, MG and in the early days Jowett. They are gone.
Also Pottie's for Vauxhall and Bedford light commercial across from the Sheriff Court. They had the slowest, most incompetent parts department in the whole country. You took your flask and sleeping bag when you went to buy parts! They are gone.
Low's Garage supplied Opel cars including the underrated Manta. They too have disappeared.
Then Goudie's Garage were the main dealers for the Rootes group, which of course were manufactured just down the road in Linwood. No longer there, nor is the factory!
Then McFadyen's Garage in Shuttle Street. Main dealers for Rover and Triumph, ran by my old and great friend David Millar, sadly long departed way before his time. The nicest, most honest man I have ever dealt with in the motor trade.
Also gone and another victim of the Leyland years.
Then Young's Ford depot, who became Clanford, the employer of the most ignorant counter staff encountered in the trade. I think they were on bonuses to see how many customers they could offend in a week!!
The showroom is still there but is an independent.
All of these companies employing hundreds of people and, with one exception, selling British made cars, all gone. Doesn't it make you sick?
J
Let's start with David Blane and sons. Old David started the business before the war selling American cars; Hudsons and Pontiacs. Ended up with the Jaguar dealership and VW agency. I did some warranty work on Jags then. They lost the agency in the Leyland years and went to Datsun. They had a beautiful showroom with an apartment above. It's now a piece of waste ground!
Then there was Gillespies in Love Street and Glasgow Road who were Wolseley, Austin/Morris, MG and in the early days Jowett. They are gone.
Also Pottie's for Vauxhall and Bedford light commercial across from the Sheriff Court. They had the slowest, most incompetent parts department in the whole country. You took your flask and sleeping bag when you went to buy parts! They are gone.
Low's Garage supplied Opel cars including the underrated Manta. They too have disappeared.
Then Goudie's Garage were the main dealers for the Rootes group, which of course were manufactured just down the road in Linwood. No longer there, nor is the factory!
Then McFadyen's Garage in Shuttle Street. Main dealers for Rover and Triumph, ran by my old and great friend David Millar, sadly long departed way before his time. The nicest, most honest man I have ever dealt with in the motor trade.
Also gone and another victim of the Leyland years.
Then Young's Ford depot, who became Clanford, the employer of the most ignorant counter staff encountered in the trade. I think they were on bonuses to see how many customers they could offend in a week!!
The showroom is still there but is an independent.
All of these companies employing hundreds of people and, with one exception, selling British made cars, all gone. Doesn't it make you sick?
J
jith said:
Does anyone have memories of Paisley's motor trade?
Let's start with David Blane and sons. Old David started the business before the war selling American cars; Hudsons and Pontiacs. Ended up with the Jaguar dealership and VW agency. I did some warranty work on Jags then. They lost the agency in the Leyland years and went to Datsun. They had a beautiful showroom with an apartment above. It's now a piece of waste ground!
Then there was Gillespies in Love Street and Glasgow Road who were Wolseley, Austin/Morris, MG and in the early days Jowett. They are gone.
Also Pottie's for Vauxhall and Bedford light commercial across from the Sheriff Court. They had the slowest, most incompetent parts department in the whole country. You took your flask and sleeping bag when you went to buy parts! They are gone.
Low's Garage supplied Opel cars including the underrated Manta. They too have disappeared.
Then Goudie's Garage were the main dealers for the Rootes group, which of course were manufactured just down the road in Linwood. No longer there, nor is the factory!
Then McFadyen's Garage in Shuttle Street. Main dealers for Rover and Triumph, ran by my old and great friend David Millar, sadly long departed way before his time. The nicest, most honest man I have ever dealt with in the motor trade.
Also gone and another victim of the Leyland years.
Then Young's Ford depot, who became Clanford, the employer of the most ignorant counter staff encountered in the trade. I think they were on bonuses to see how many customers they could offend in a week!!
The showroom is still there but is an independent.
All of these companies employing hundreds of people and, with one exception, selling British made cars, all gone. Doesn't it make you sick?
J
Can remember going to Blanes to see one of the first Datsun Cherrys in the Glasgow area and drooling over a Silver 240Z.Let's start with David Blane and sons. Old David started the business before the war selling American cars; Hudsons and Pontiacs. Ended up with the Jaguar dealership and VW agency. I did some warranty work on Jags then. They lost the agency in the Leyland years and went to Datsun. They had a beautiful showroom with an apartment above. It's now a piece of waste ground!
Then there was Gillespies in Love Street and Glasgow Road who were Wolseley, Austin/Morris, MG and in the early days Jowett. They are gone.
Also Pottie's for Vauxhall and Bedford light commercial across from the Sheriff Court. They had the slowest, most incompetent parts department in the whole country. You took your flask and sleeping bag when you went to buy parts! They are gone.
Low's Garage supplied Opel cars including the underrated Manta. They too have disappeared.
Then Goudie's Garage were the main dealers for the Rootes group, which of course were manufactured just down the road in Linwood. No longer there, nor is the factory!
Then McFadyen's Garage in Shuttle Street. Main dealers for Rover and Triumph, ran by my old and great friend David Millar, sadly long departed way before his time. The nicest, most honest man I have ever dealt with in the motor trade.
Also gone and another victim of the Leyland years.
Then Young's Ford depot, who became Clanford, the employer of the most ignorant counter staff encountered in the trade. I think they were on bonuses to see how many customers they could offend in a week!!
The showroom is still there but is an independent.
All of these companies employing hundreds of people and, with one exception, selling British made cars, all gone. Doesn't it make you sick?
J
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.
Angelus said:
I remember working in the very first SEAT dealership in central Scotland, anyone remember where it was? It was short lived and a bit of shambles.
Steedman? http://www.flickr.com/photos/33321856@N05/53332698...47p2 said:
Volvo dealership in the south side was Linn Autos, they moved from Clarkston Road to Merrylee Road in the mid to late 70s
My old man bought a 740 turbo from Linn Volvo, I remember going to see it in the showroom and being excited! Still have it now, stickers and all! The chaps name who sold us it was Simon wallwark!jith said:
Does anyone have memories of Paisley's motor trade?
Let's start with David Blane and sons. Old David started the business before the war selling American cars; Hudsons and Pontiacs. Ended up with the Jaguar dealership and VW agency. I did some warranty work on Jags then. They lost the agency in the Leyland years and went to Datsun. They had a beautiful showroom with an apartment above. It's now a piece of waste ground!
Then there was Gillespies in Love Street and Glasgow Road who were Wolseley, Austin/Morris, MG and in the early days Jowett. They are gone.
Also Pottie's for Vauxhall and Bedford light commercial across from the Sheriff Court. They had the slowest, most incompetent parts department in the whole country. You took your flask and sleeping bag when you went to buy parts! They are gone.
Low's Garage supplied Opel cars including the underrated Manta. They too have disappeared.
Then Goudie's Garage were the main dealers for the Rootes group, which of course were manufactured just down the road in Linwood. No longer there, nor is the factory!
Then McFadyen's Garage in Shuttle Street. Main dealers for Rover and Triumph, ran by my old and great friend David Millar, sadly long departed way before his time. The nicest, most honest man I have ever dealt with in the motor trade.
Also gone and another victim of the Leyland years.
Then Young's Ford depot, who became Clanford, the employer of the most ignorant counter staff encountered in the trade. I think they were on bonuses to see how many customers they could offend in a week!!
The showroom is still there but is an independent.
All of these companies employ hundreds of people and, with one exception, selling British made cars, all gone. Doesn't it make you sick
J
That brings back a few memories! Have my uncle over for dinner tonight and he used to work as a mechanic for gillespies. My old dear and my uncle were both telling me about the garage in shuttle street! Small world!Let's start with David Blane and sons. Old David started the business before the war selling American cars; Hudsons and Pontiacs. Ended up with the Jaguar dealership and VW agency. I did some warranty work on Jags then. They lost the agency in the Leyland years and went to Datsun. They had a beautiful showroom with an apartment above. It's now a piece of waste ground!
Then there was Gillespies in Love Street and Glasgow Road who were Wolseley, Austin/Morris, MG and in the early days Jowett. They are gone.
Also Pottie's for Vauxhall and Bedford light commercial across from the Sheriff Court. They had the slowest, most incompetent parts department in the whole country. You took your flask and sleeping bag when you went to buy parts! They are gone.
Low's Garage supplied Opel cars including the underrated Manta. They too have disappeared.
Then Goudie's Garage were the main dealers for the Rootes group, which of course were manufactured just down the road in Linwood. No longer there, nor is the factory!
Then McFadyen's Garage in Shuttle Street. Main dealers for Rover and Triumph, ran by my old and great friend David Millar, sadly long departed way before his time. The nicest, most honest man I have ever dealt with in the motor trade.
Also gone and another victim of the Leyland years.
Then Young's Ford depot, who became Clanford, the employer of the most ignorant counter staff encountered in the trade. I think they were on bonuses to see how many customers they could offend in a week!!
The showroom is still there but is an independent.
All of these companies employ hundreds of people and, with one exception, selling British made cars, all gone. Doesn't it make you sick
J
groak said:
Anyone mentioned Prosser's yet? Going since the 1950's I'm pretty sure. Still alive as Prosser Marine.
Prosser's garage at Jordanhill always had some interesting cars Jenson FF, Matra Bagheera and a Mini Moke, plus a few racing bikes about the place.If memory serves, I think Dennis Prosser raced at the inaugural race at Knockhill in 1974?
IainW said:
The ended up with Ford garage at Anniesland and Clydebank FC didn't theycat220 said:
My old man bought a 740 turbo from Linn Volvo, I remember going to see it in the showroom and being excited! Still have it now, stickers and all! The chaps name who sold us it was Simon wallwark!
Simon Wallwark.......rings a bell.The Simon Wallwark I knew was an Airline Pilot and area organiser(central Scotland)for the quattro owners club back in 2000, he had a Zermatt silver ur quattro and a Sunbeam Tiger.
Is it the same guy who knows ?? Wallwark is not that common a name?
cat220 said:
jith said:
Does anyone have memories of Paisley's motor trade?
Let's start with David Blane and sons. Old David started the business before the war selling American cars; Hudsons and Pontiacs. Ended up with the Jaguar dealership and VW agency. I did some warranty work on Jags then. They lost the agency in the Leyland years and went to Datsun. They had a beautiful showroom with an apartment above. It's now a piece of waste ground!
Then there was Gillespies in Love Street and Glasgow Road who were Wolseley, Austin/Morris, MG and in the early days Jowett. They are gone.
Also Pottie's for Vauxhall and Bedford light commercial across from the Sheriff Court. They had the slowest, most incompetent parts department in the whole country. You took your flask and sleeping bag when you went to buy parts! They are gone.
Low's Garage supplied Opel cars including the underrated Manta. They too have disappeared.
Then Goudie's Garage were the main dealers for the Rootes group, which of course were manufactured just down the road in Linwood. No longer there, nor is the factory!
Then McFadyen's Garage in Shuttle Street. Main dealers for Rover and Triumph, ran by my old and great friend David Millar, sadly long departed way before his time. The nicest, most honest man I have ever dealt with in the motor trade.
Also gone and another victim of the Leyland years.
Then Young's Ford depot, who became Clanford, the employer of the most ignorant counter staff encountered in the trade. I think they were on bonuses to see how many customers they could offend in a week!!
The showroom is still there but is an independent.
All of these companies employ hundreds of people and, with one exception, selling British made cars, all gone. Doesn't it make you sick
J
That brings back a few memories! Have my uncle over for dinner tonight and he used to work as a mechanic for gillespies. My old dear and my uncle were both telling me about the garage in shuttle street! Small world!Let's start with David Blane and sons. Old David started the business before the war selling American cars; Hudsons and Pontiacs. Ended up with the Jaguar dealership and VW agency. I did some warranty work on Jags then. They lost the agency in the Leyland years and went to Datsun. They had a beautiful showroom with an apartment above. It's now a piece of waste ground!
Then there was Gillespies in Love Street and Glasgow Road who were Wolseley, Austin/Morris, MG and in the early days Jowett. They are gone.
Also Pottie's for Vauxhall and Bedford light commercial across from the Sheriff Court. They had the slowest, most incompetent parts department in the whole country. You took your flask and sleeping bag when you went to buy parts! They are gone.
Low's Garage supplied Opel cars including the underrated Manta. They too have disappeared.
Then Goudie's Garage were the main dealers for the Rootes group, which of course were manufactured just down the road in Linwood. No longer there, nor is the factory!
Then McFadyen's Garage in Shuttle Street. Main dealers for Rover and Triumph, ran by my old and great friend David Millar, sadly long departed way before his time. The nicest, most honest man I have ever dealt with in the motor trade.
Also gone and another victim of the Leyland years.
Then Young's Ford depot, who became Clanford, the employer of the most ignorant counter staff encountered in the trade. I think they were on bonuses to see how many customers they could offend in a week!!
The showroom is still there but is an independent.
All of these companies employ hundreds of people and, with one exception, selling British made cars, all gone. Doesn't it make you sick
J
J
IainW said:
What was the date of that paper? I worked at John Hyslop in Craigneuk in the mid 80's.S2red said:
Tells you just below ad 11 Nov 1988
I looked for that and couldn't see it. Old age doesn't come by itself, does it? 
The one in Wishaw was shut by then, I remember the mechanics emptying the workshop and rolling equipment out the door. There was also a Rolls Royce in the showroom that disappeared over night? I was told while working there that Gilchrist of Kirkfieldbank was bankrolling the operation.
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