Glasgow car dealers in the 60's -70's
Discussion
As a young boy I got taken round the car showroons most weekends with my father, he was allways chopping and changing his cars, if it lasted till 9 months it was a long termer. In 1961 we had frequent visits to Macharg Rennie & Lindsay where he aquired one of the first new Mini vans(beige) in Glasgow.
Other dealers visited :- Ian Phillps at the bottom of Byres Rd, a Renault Dauphaine Gordini, puchased
Melvin Motors (Roots groop) in Hyndland our nearest dealer an Imp California was bought, it was like a Stilleto without the twin headlights.
Westcars (Saab NSU) at Broomhill cross, NSU Prinz aquired here
Callanders(Mercedes Benz Auto Union) at Kelvinside, an Auto Union 1000 Estate purchased.
Brand Street Motors (NSU) NSU 1200sc aquired, saw my first new RO80(red) here, what a car it was back then.
This is just some of the places visited. I'm sure this will jog a few memories.
Other dealers visited :- Ian Phillps at the bottom of Byres Rd, a Renault Dauphaine Gordini, puchased
Melvin Motors (Roots groop) in Hyndland our nearest dealer an Imp California was bought, it was like a Stilleto without the twin headlights.
Westcars (Saab NSU) at Broomhill cross, NSU Prinz aquired here
Callanders(Mercedes Benz Auto Union) at Kelvinside, an Auto Union 1000 Estate purchased.
Brand Street Motors (NSU) NSU 1200sc aquired, saw my first new RO80(red) here, what a car it was back then.
This is just some of the places visited. I'm sure this will jog a few memories.
Ha ha, no, there's still some Glaswegians on here! I only remember the 80's and 90's however.
In 1984 I remember my dad picking up his brand new Escort 1.3L in 'sunburst red' from Trust motors on Cumbernauld rd, still trading as Evans Halshaw.
A trip around Machargs (it was always know as Machargs in our family even when it was M, R & L) was always a favourite way to waste some time on a Saturday afternoon, they had cars everywhere, in a showroom, in a huge shed, in a yard, in fields, I wondered how (or if) they kept track of what they had.
I remember the tiny wee Arnold clarks around the place, Park Road, Vinnicombe Street, before he took over he had some odd dealerships with cars crammed in everywhere.
In 1984 I remember my dad picking up his brand new Escort 1.3L in 'sunburst red' from Trust motors on Cumbernauld rd, still trading as Evans Halshaw.
A trip around Machargs (it was always know as Machargs in our family even when it was M, R & L) was always a favourite way to waste some time on a Saturday afternoon, they had cars everywhere, in a showroom, in a huge shed, in a yard, in fields, I wondered how (or if) they kept track of what they had.
I remember the tiny wee Arnold clarks around the place, Park Road, Vinnicombe Street, before he took over he had some odd dealerships with cars crammed in everywhere.
As a boy, I used to cycle my way round the dealers in Lanarkshire, with my favourite being Laidlaws in Airdrie 9as they always had Capris in them) and Taggarts in Airdrie which usually had a TR7.
Both were quite welcoming of a a 12/13 year old leaving his bike outside and opening all the doors and sitting in the cars.
Bet it wouldn't be the case now!!
Both were quite welcoming of a a 12/13 year old leaving his bike outside and opening all the doors and sitting in the cars.
Bet it wouldn't be the case now!!
matchmaker said:
Queensborough Motors - when they were in Prince Albert Road in Hyndland. Can't remember who had the garage at the bottom of Clarence Drive then.
My dad bought a Cavalier from a dealer around there in about 1991, they had a Mitsubishi franchise from memory but can't remember the name.S2red said:
What about Watsons?
Yip used to go to Watsons occasionally as well but always found them a lot less welcoming. At that stage they didn't really have a car to appeal to a 12 year old like a Capri etc, although probably with hindsight the Manta would have been around at the same time but it didn't feature in The Professionals!!My dad got a couple of cars from RJ Cross Peugeot dealer in Airdrie as well. Very small showroom just along from where McDonalds is now.
Colston Renault - had a couple of cars from them
Taggarts crooks! sold me a Pig of a car when I was a naive 18yr old!
There was the Triumph dealer in the middle of Coatbridge Grants and the Peugout dealer opposite Laidlaws then later on Pete the Cheat opposite the Rovers ground probably others I can remember
Taggarts crooks! sold me a Pig of a car when I was a naive 18yr old!
There was the Triumph dealer in the middle of Coatbridge Grants and the Peugout dealer opposite Laidlaws then later on Pete the Cheat opposite the Rovers ground probably others I can remember
when I was a kid in Glasgow (mid 70s), we lived in Springburn. I remember there was a car dealer on a corner somewhere that had a Starsky and Hutch car in the windows, that we used to pass on the way to some relatives. I'm not sure where it was, Bishopbriggs maybe? or was it Cumbernauld Rd, on the way to Stepps? Anyone know?
deadslow said:
Didn't Jim Watt used to have a Citroen garage just off Clouston St in the west end?
Also seem to remember 'Road & Track' porsche independents at Anniesland railway station, and Blytheswood Motors, Finnieston, when they sold loads of huge yank metal.
Forgot about Blythswood Motors. I went to look at a 970 Cooper S in 1976,worth a bob or two now.They had loads of quick stuff just down the street in an old warehouse, Droop Snoot Firenza, TVR's Dolomite Sprints and yes there was yank motors as well. Also seem to remember 'Road & Track' porsche independents at Anniesland railway station, and Blytheswood Motors, Finnieston, when they sold loads of huge yank metal.
Gylen said:
matchmaker said:
Queensborough Motors - when they were in Prince Albert Road in Hyndland. Can't remember who had the garage at the bottom of Clarence Drive then.
Spookily, I can see the old site from my kitchen window...matchmaker said:
Gylen said:
matchmaker said:
Queensborough Motors - when they were in Prince Albert Road in Hyndland. Can't remember who had the garage at the bottom of Clarence Drive then.
Spookily, I can see the old site from my kitchen window...ian2144 said:
deadslow said:
Didn't Jim Watt used to have a Citroen garage just off Clouston St in the west end?
Also seem to remember 'Road & Track' porsche independents at Anniesland railway station, and Blytheswood Motors, Finnieston, when they sold loads of huge yank metal.
Forgot about Blythswood Motors. I went to look at a 970 Cooper S in 1976,worth a bob or two now.They had loads of quick stuff just down the street in an old warehouse, Droop Snoot Firenza, TVR's Dolomite Sprints and yes there was yank motors as well. Also seem to remember 'Road & Track' porsche independents at Anniesland railway station, and Blytheswood Motors, Finnieston, when they sold loads of huge yank metal.
willtvr said:
ian2144 said:
deadslow said:
Didn't Jim Watt used to have a Citroen garage just off Clouston St in the west end?
Also seem to remember 'Road & Track' porsche independents at Anniesland railway station, and Blytheswood Motors, Finnieston, when they sold loads of huge yank metal.
Forgot about Blythswood Motors. I went to look at a 970 Cooper S in 1976,worth a bob or two now.They had loads of quick stuff just down the street in an old warehouse, Droop Snoot Firenza, TVR's Dolomite Sprints and yes there was yank motors as well. Also seem to remember 'Road & Track' porsche independents at Anniesland railway station, and Blytheswood Motors, Finnieston, when they sold loads of huge yank metal.
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