90s GTi specialist in Wimbledon anyone remember?

[anonymous-user]

I passed my test in 1992 and my first car was a MK3 Ford Escort 1.3. I often used to drive through Wimbledon, and can remember a car dealership that only seemed to sell Golf and 205 GTis. This may be my memory playing tricks on me but I seem to remember the building had a big red GTi sign on the front, and behind the plate glass there were numerous golfs and 205s for sale.

To me at the time, a MK2 Golf GTi 16 valve was the ultimate dream car, I was so envious of anyone who owned one as it seemed like an impossible dream.

Just wondering if anyone remembers it, or better still ever bought a car from them?

[sjg]

Wimbledon Carriage Company? http://www.wimbledoncarriage.co.uk/

Looks like they've moved now but my dad bought a Fiat Coupe from them many years ago.

Old site here on Streetview: https://goo.gl/maps/M4KzDnhPxgT2

[anonymous-user]

I've still got quite a few old VW mags from decades ago at home. Will see if there are any adverts in for dealers down there later tonight.

[OscarIndia]

I test drove a Renault 5 Turbo from there back in the day.
Always used to love their selection, as an 18 year old at the time it was heavan!

[rottenegg]

Joey Deacon said:

I passed my test in 1992 and my first car was a MK3 Ford Escort 1.3. I often used to drive through Wimbledon, and can remember a car dealership that only seemed to sell Golf and 205 GTis. This may be my memory playing tricks on me but I seem to remember the building had a big red GTi sign on the front, and behind the plate glass there were numerous golfs and 205s for sale.

To me at the time, a MK2 Golf GTi 16 valve was the ultimate dream car, I was so envious of anyone who owned one as it seemed like an impossible dream.

Just wondering if anyone remembers it, or better still ever bought a car from them?

I don't remember the shop but I do remember MK2 16Vs very well, and 205 GTIs. I once thought the same of the MK1 GTI (1800)..... until I lived with one for a couple of years. It's amazing what petrol heads had to live with in those days Useless brakes, awful heaters, water leaks, frozen [interior] glass every winter, oil rig grade rust etc etc. Can you imagine that now? Can you imagine todays' snowflakes dealing with gapping points, over riding jammed choke cables etc?

The MK2 16V, in 1989 was actually a fantastic car to live with. 205 less so, but both superb to throw around.

[Greg the Fish]

an old 145 Cloverleaf I had passed through that garage too. Well it had their plates on when I bought it so I'm guessing so.

This one

[dibblecorse]

Greg the Fish said:

an old 145 Cloverleaf I had passed through that garage too. Well it had their plates on when I bought it so I'm guessing so.

This one

Thats lovely

[Greg the Fish]

dibblecorse said:

Thats lovely

Was a fun little thing. Paid £200 for it. Needed a rear lightbulb to get through MOT. Then I started on cleaning it!

as was when purchased

[anonymous-user]

Can't find any dealers based in Wimbledon, but do you remember Scotts Mototune? Always had nice Audi's and tuned VW's in stock. Think they were a Nothelle dealer.

[Pericoloso]

I remember it,they had the whole of one side of a 205 GTi in panels in the window.
It was still there a few years ago,probably long since sold the 205 panels.
It's about 400 yards north of south Wimbledon station on the way into town centre.
I haven't been that way recently.

ETA ....The shop I remember might be different from that place ^^^

Edited by Pericoloso on Tuesday 5th February 18:37

[RemyMartin81D]

Radbourne Racing?

They pretty much looked after my 5 GT Turbo once out of warranty till I got it according to the old receipts I had.

Changed to R sport years back for servicing and now that is also closed and just sells bits online for Renault Motorsport stuff
http://www.rsportonline.co.uk

Well it was good to reminisce even if irrelevant to your question. Probably.

Edited by RemyMartin81D on Tuesday 5th February 18:53

[DJP]

Pericoloso said:

I remember it,they had the whole of one side of a 205 GTi in panels in the window.
It was still there a few years ago,probably long since sold the 205 panels.
It's about 400 yards north of south Wimbledon station on the way into town centre.
I haven't been that way recently.

ETA ....The shop I remember might be different from that place ^^^

Edited by Pericoloso on Tuesday 5th February 18:37

That was the spares shop on Haydon's Road.

[Pericoloso]

Don't think it's Radbourne.
They became a SEAT dealer in the 90s.

[Pericoloso]

Found a thread on a Renault forum,Radbourne still exist also in the area working just out of an industrial unit,doing Renault stuff.
Don't seem to be selling SEATs anymore.

[Smiljan]

sjg said:

Wimbledon Carriage Company? http://www.wimbledoncarriage.co.uk/

Looks like they've moved now but my dad bought a Fiat Coupe from them many years ago.

Old site here on Streetview: https://goo.gl/maps/M4KzDnhPxgT2

I think you've got it, I remember going there to look at a Fiesta Turbo back when they were new and WCC only did hot hatches like the GTi back then. Mid 90's? from what I remember.

[Auto5150]

Old post but I remember him, owners name was Hill I think? Used to advertise exclusively Golf GTI’s in a big ad in Exchange and Mart published weekly. I bought a Y reg 1800 of him in late 1985 when he was running the company from his house, somewhere near Worcester Park. By 1992, he was trading from a smart showroom in Wimbledon, again GTI’s only but I think (but not 100% sure) also Peugeot 205 GTI’s as well. He was a decent guy and recall gave me a reasonable part exchange price.

[Dapster]

I had a mk 1 MR2 in 1992 and the insurance was unaffordable so I needed something cheap but interesting. I ended up chopping it in for an AX GT from these guys. Yes the place was awash with Mk 2 GTIs and 205 and they were always really, really busy.

I can't remember what they were called though. It not sure it was "Wimbledon Carriage Company" though. I remember the font they used in their ads in the back of Autocar Magazine but can not for the life of me remember the name of the dealer!

It might be in here.... https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

The AX was a dog - gave me endless trouble and I eventually sold it and got the MK2 Golf GTI I should have got in the first place!

[Dapster]

Auto5150 said:

Old post but I remember him, owners name was Hill I think?.

Well I remember the salesman's name was Graham Hill - we joked about it at the time. I remember he was a big bloke with dark hair but a regular sales guy. Don't think he was the owner....