Aston's Garages and Light Cars

My brother was a chef at the Black Horse in Marton when Bob Ayres was landlord. I remember that a person called Aston used to drink in there, not sure of the Christian name but having looked at the Aston Coaches Historic Website I found Harry Aston owned two Armstrong Siddeley Sapphires. My brother bought a two tone grey Sapphire from Bob Ayres in the 60s, the registration was RWK610. I wonder if this was one of Harry Aston's Sapphires, it was a lovely car

I am Harry Aston's son, it would be my father who went in there but could also have been Ted Aston who lived along Birdingbury Road. My father had the Armstrong Siddeleys but he also bought and sold just about any vehicle, do you have any photos of it, will get the numbers checked Was Bob Ayres the landlord that played the cello? Do you have any tales to tell about the Black Horse, Astons Coaches were right opposite, I am also in touch with David Fry of Marton Historical Society who is keen to learn about any history of Marton Please feel free to contact me direct on my email david.aston@rocketmail.com

I have been in touch with Armstrong Siddeley Owners Club, they have no record of this car, they also keep records by owners, and have no records of Bob Ayres' or Harry Aston's Armstrong Siddeleys, so unfortunately they probably did not survive, so many of these beautiful cars were scrapped as they were more or less worthless in the late 60's

Reliant produced a special three-wheeler, the 21E, had 21 extras. Light Cars had their own special, a LC11E with 11 extras, does anyone remember either model or did they buy one

You could try the Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust who possess and store huge amounts of information relating to AS following the take over of the Company in the 60's. In fact (as I mentioned on another thread) they have reconstructed the entire AS Boardroom at the R-RHT Museum in Derby which had been salvaged prior to demolition of the Parkside factory. The Trust have books for sale with the complete history of the Parkside and Ansty sites containing great photos and advertisements.

Do you have more photos or receipts - would like to add to history of Astons with your permission Can you contact me on my email

Hi David - these came from the True Coventarian (?!) Facebook page - I think you can see them without registering or anything here. If it doesn't work let me know and I'll pass on. Came from a gent called Will Roe - seems he bought a Reliant from there/you!

An update Bob Aston now lives in Southport, unfortunately not vey well he is now 78 He had two sons David who died 30 years ago and a second Bob Jnr around 60 I am told lives in Canley and has three children? Any one know him

Light Cars/Astons of Coventry/Astons Coaches All information collected will be on display at Birdingbury Steam Fair, second weekend July, and Gaydon 31st August, would welcome chance to discuss in more detail with you all Met up with Roger Wing, any Astons ex employees remember him? Astons/Light Cars had the showroom on corner of Gulson Road and Vecqueray Street, anyone remember what it was used for? Light Cars had several fires one in the cottages at the side and one at back of showroom burnt down office, anyone remember these, better still the Coventry Evening Telegraph Newspaper cuttings? Met with Tony Aston few weeks ago, ran Coventry Car Resprays late 1960 and early 1970s, anyone remember them he resprayed the Batmobile around 1969 for the princely sum of £45.00 Did any one have dealings with Tony

Is this the same Tony Aston that ran a firm called Mechanised Movement?

I vaguely remember it sold Fiat saloons in the 1960s. It was a relatively small showroom and anything bigger would have looked cramped. Surprised Bob had a son my age, his missus didn't look old enough.

I will dig out photo of Light Cars with about 10 Fiat 500 on forecourt, I do not have photos of the other showroom Son was by Bobs first wife Pat

You posted a picture of the other showroom on page 1 of this thread David, post #10 I suspect it was taken a bit before my time, circa 1958-1960 and features mainly Austins and a Morris.

Remember Mr Aston my dad purchased numerous vehicles from him just opposite the old All Saints School - funily enough I work alongside his daughter at JLR

Nice to hear of Bob Aston, I remember him from the Godiva Car Club. In the 60s. We used to rally a tuned Mini and Bob had a two stroke SAAB he drove it very quickly indeed. When asked how he did it he said it was tuned, when asked how you tune a two stroke he said you use a big bastard file (a bastard file is not swearing, it's a file with very course teeth). Great bloke.