Car Dealers, Garages, Petrol Stations

For anyone interested, I use this online calculator to work out today's prices... Historic Inflation Calculator

In 1946, they were also distributors for Singer Cars

Could someone please tell me if Brandish was where the row of shops is now? When did it close? Thanks!

Brandish's are advertising bikes and motorcycles in the Coventry Herald as early as 1911 where they were at 625 Foleshill Road. A pedal cycle was then £6.17.6 to £12 and a motor cycle £48.15s. A report in the Coventry Evening Telegraph says W Brandish tried to get exemption from war duty in February 1914 when he was called up at the age of 40 so that he could keep bikes repaired as no new ones were being produced but his application was refused. The military were asked not to call him up for 2 months.

A fellow forumite has showed me a photo from a bus magazine that has us both rather puzzled. At first we thought the writing on the large roof might give a clue as to what was inside, but on enhancing the image it simply turns out to be an advert for GLICO MOTOR OIL. But as for the location.... could it be somewhere around Pool Meadow? Hopefully this will give some pleasure to you, and in return maybe we'll get to solve the puzzle, too. And finally, let me take this opportunity to wish you all a very

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Can I see 'S H Newsome Ltd' on the roof?

Yes, you can, as this is Corporation Street

Good shout MR..I find it hard to imagine industrial buildings like that smack in the middle of town, but there were loads of them at that time..

Thanks for that excellent info PS. I will copy the photo and the info into the Coventry Transport thread

This garage was, in the early 70's, the yard of Fred Clements, a haulage contractor, his trucks were dark blue and red and were lettered in gold leaf. When Fred retired GW Deeley bought them out and all Deeley's trucks plant and drivers (me included) were re-figured under the Clements name. They still operate from the yard in Torrington Ave under that name. I worked for Deeleys/Clements from 1970 to 1981, it was a good place to work.

I loaded Deeley's trucks a lot, one driver comes to mind, his name was Dick, in fact the firm I worked for bought 2 BMC tippers and a Drott, I am pretty sure they belonged to Clements.

Yes, Dick O'Dea, soft spoken mild mannered Irishman, I knew him well. I don't remember any BMC trucks though, they were all Fords and Bedfords when I was there but towards the end of my time they started buying new Leylands. As for the Drott, when I started we had a Massey 244, I think a small crawler with a detachable back acter, Then they splashed out and bought 2 new Fiat FL6. Also another Fiat version of the Massey and a secondhand Fiat AD7 dozer for the tip, I found out later that this machine had previously belonged to Sterling Plant Hire whom I had left to go to Deeley's. Great times

My turn now! Anybody remember? 1. The garage on the bend on Walsgrave Road. Had a double fronted showroom and sold Ford cars. Was demolished and a Renault showroom built on the same land in the 70's. 2. The tiny garage on Humber Road. Opposite the school. Next door to the post office, Sold Riley and MG (Could only get one car in the showroom). 3. Blackburn's Austin dealership on Albany Road 4. The showroom in Greyfriars Lane (which became the tax office). Sold BMW, Alfa Romeo and NSU. 5. The little showroom in Whitefriars Street (same side as Brandish - heading towards the traffic lights). Daimler dealership. Saw my first Daimler Dart in there 6. The big dealership at the far end of Lockhurst Lane. Forget its name. Think it sold Ford and BMC 7. Orchard Garage Ford dealer in Lamb Street (back of the Evening Telegraph) 8. The garage in Swan Lane (same side as Coventry City Football Club). Big showroom. again Ford, I think. I collected brochures as a child from these showrooms, and others, and cut them up to make scrap books. Have a brochure collection now of 26000+ but have had to buy most of those from the 60's from people on eBay

The garage on Greyfriars Lane, wasn't it Percy Blamire's? I can remember most of these, it's putting a name to them that's the problem.