Car Dealers, Garages, Petrol Stations

A little later than that I think, Neil, demolition has started prior to the construction of the ring road. The roof of the garage is missing and the shops to the left have gone, amongst them were a vets and "The Rubber Emporium" that used to sell all sorts of appliances to aid your health!!!!! The art college I attended was opposite, and I think we were shipped out about 1967 down the road to Wheatley Street School

Mid-1968 bus services were diverted away from Ford Street in preparation for the closure of the street. So I agree it is possibly a little later than 1965.

Hi everybody. Back with my first posting on this site for a number of years. Promise not to leave it for so long next time. In addition to my everyday work as a consultant, I am also historian for one of the better known monthly automotive magazines. I am currently writing an artice on my days of growing up in Coventry, during which I began collecting car brochures and automotive memorabilia. The main emphasis of this article is regarding the garages (dealers/distributors) at the time, the majority of which no longer exist. I'm trying to obtain some photographs (if possible) plus any additional information which may be available on the following; 1. Mortons Garage on Binley Road. Rootes Group dealers, and the closest to my home at the time. I remember the showroom being demolished and the service bay/repair shop turned into a supermarket (One Stop, I believe) possibly early 1970's. 2. There was a petrol station opposite (in front of Coventry & North Warwickshire Cricket Club), which I remember for a very brief period of time became a Volkswagen dealership. This would probably have been late 1960's. 3. On Humber Road, virtually opposite the school, and next to the post office, was a service garage which has a showroom big enough for no more than two cars. I believe this was a Riley dealership. 4. Gulson Road, opposite the bottling plant, was a garage which for a while sold Reliant Cars and then became part of Parkside Garage. I believe the Reliant dealer was Frederick Charles Cars, and they later moved to Ball Hill and sold used cars only. 5. Gosford Street. I remember Aston's Austin dealership, but the other side of the Paris cinema (as it was called then) was a grubby, smelly old place which primarily sold used cars, but also sold 3 wheelers. I'm not sure whether this was related to Light Cars, who had a Reliant and Bond 3 wheel car dealership over the road. 6. In Whitefriars St, a couple of doors down from Brandish, was a small place which sold motor bikes, but also sold, believe it or not, Daimler cars. 7. Any photographs or details pertaining to Sam Robins Austin dealers in Cox Street would be much appreciated. I was never able to understand why there was another Austin dealer in such close proximity to Aston's. 8. I think it was White Street, and I remember it being demolished to make way for the ring road, but there was a quite large dealership (showroom) which sold a multitude of makes. Did this dealership relocate when it was demolished? 9. On the subject of multi franchise dealerships, Percy Blamire, on Queens Road. I recall this place having a huge table full of brochures directly outside the sales office. I was kicked out of there, having grabbed a handful of brochures by probably Mr Blamire himself. 10. Bridge Clock Motors (more latterly Bewac) on Holyhead Road, outside the old Carbodies plant. I remember this also being an Austin dealership (how many were there in Coventry at the time?) but I think in its latter days it sold Morris, MG, Wolseley and Riley too. Again, very strange, as this was fairly close to the Parkside dealership on Warwick Road. 11. This is a strange one, and as much information on this as possible would be appreciated. I have seen photographs of a two storey building, opposite the Belgrade Theatre in Corporation Street, belonging to S. H. Newsome. I don't actually remember this myself (probably before my time) but I do remember their having a showroom next to the Belgrade (behind the fountain), which then became a travel agent when Newsome's moved to the A45. There is so much history in relation to this. Indeed, how did their A45 premises become a branch of Henly's, and when did this happen? 12. In Lamb Street there was a relatively large showroom on the corner which again sold motor bikes but also Honda cars. Is my memory playing tricks with me, or do I remember this place being a Fiat dealer? 13. Also in Lamb Street, and another place which you wouldn't believe could be a car showroom. Next door to the funeral business was what I think I remember as a Ford dealer. 14. Paynes Lane, and again, similar to the aforementioned business in Gosford Street, next to the pet shop was another grubby, dirty showroom. I remember going with Mum and Dad to the launch of the Morris 1100 there. I recall there being a bucket on the floor in the middle of the showroom collecting the water coming in through the leaking roof. 15. Daventry Road, and I believe what was a Rootes Group dealership. I may be mistaken with the Rootes part here, but certainly remember it as a Chrysler UK dealer in the 1970's. 16. Another difficult one, this. At the bottom of Hertford Street there used to be a narrow, cobblestone road which snaked through and came out in Greyfriars Lane. Again this would have been in the 60's, as I remember Dad parking down there when we went to watch the carnival procession. However, I seem to recall there being a Rover dealer down this road. I could go on for ever, but these will do to begin with. Any information/photographs/chat relating to, etc these would be very much appreciated,

12. Sounds like Frettons 13. Osbornes Service Garage 15. Cheylesmore Garage ?

Hi Chas - 10. Bridge Clock Motors (more latterly Bewac) on Holyhead Road, outside the old Carbodies plant. I remember this also being an Austin dealership (how many were there in Coventry at the time?) but I think in its latter days it sold Morris, MG, Wolseley and Riley too. Again, very strange, as this was fairly close to the Parkside dealership on Warwick Road. See posts #201 #203 #205 for pictures. We probably have some of the others on this thread - will check when I can.

SH Newsome car showroom, Corporation St, two storey in L background.

The garage in Humber Road was run by a chap called Bob Aves in the late 50s, early 60s. He had Riley connections as a race mechanic to Percy McClure pre war. Obviously he specialised in all Rileys, mainly the RM models which were in everyday use at that time. These premises are currently in use as a tyre dealers. The garage in Lamb Street near the funeral directors used to have a Vale Special in the showroom I seem to remember - an acquaintance races one in vintage car races, it could even be that car.

I think Mortons had their finger in many pies years ago. Garage on Binley Rd which I think was also a coal merchants, warehouse on Leicester Causeway canal basin, coal yard in Coundon by the rail crossing. They later moved to Rowley Rd and ran general haulage and car transporters and pre-pack coal,the coal business eventually closed down. The family was also I believe into farming somewhere near Frankton Eventually Mortons sold out to BRS and the transport side became Mortons (BRS)back in the 60`s

Another, older view of Newsome's - caption is old as well

No.7, that was up towards the top of Cox St, on the left. Only went there once, almost sure it was mainly the spares dept. They supplied replacement gold seal engines, gearboxes etc. Stood back off the road with a smallish frontage if memory serves me.

1970 Yellow Pages - Car Distributors and Dealers

An aerial view of Newsome's on Corporation Street

Yes, remember Coventry Garage, served my apprenticeship there until early seventies when the draw of the car factories was too much to resist on account of attractive pay structure, but the sacrifice for a better salary was unfortunately five star boredom. I can remember Morton's Garage, Binley Road, having also spent part of my training there. Cox Street Garage. Brandish's [Vauxhall] at the back of Gaumont cinema, opposite Brandish's there was a used car dealer who was the father of my mate at that particular time. Whitehall Motors, Bedworth. Percy Blamire, a friend of my dad whose garage was in Queens Road. Parkgate Garage, BMC dealer. Yes, a lot of motor activity in Coventry in those days. Morton's later merged with BRS, Rowley Road, Baginton, concentrating on commercial transport.

Another view in White Street - Swanswell Garage.

This excellent and rare image has just been shared on FB, so thanks to David Taylor. It's a scarce capture of the Coventry Garage on Lower Holyhead Road which we have discussed before - in its final days which can't have been long before demolition.