Old, Long Forgotten Car Dealers

Rockbrae

I know this is maybe unrelated, but I've listed below some interesting information regarding Irish Car Sales figures from 1974, which shows the big changes in taste over the years.


Rank Model Mkt Share (%)

1. Ford Escort 12.4
2. Ford Cortina 8.1
3. Hillman Hunter 6.8
4. BLMC Mini 5.5
5. Fiat 127 5.0
6. Fiat 124 4.8
7. Fiat 128 4.8
8. VW Beetle 4.5
9. Renault 4 4.0
10. Hillman Avenger 3.4
11. Morris Marina 2.7
12. Opel Kadett 2.6
13. Vauxhall Viva 2.5
14. Ford Capri 2.4
15. Renault 12 2.2
16. BLMC 1100/1300 2.2
17. Toyota Corolla 2.0
18. Fiat 126 1.6
19. Datsun Cherry 1.3
20. Renault 16 1.3

(Total sales were around 60,529)


Top 10 Car makes were:

Rank Marque Mkt Share (%) Sales

1. Ford 24.12 14,618
2. Fiat 18.14 10,979
3. BLMC 11.53 6,979
4. Chrysler 11.51 6,968
5. Renault 10.22 6,185
6. VW-Audi 6.89 4,169
7. Opel 3.7 2,240
8. Vauxhall 2.99 1,808
9. BLMC 2 2.51 1,521
10. Datsun 2.34 1,414

(Note: BLMC 2 makes were Jaguar, Rover, Triumph - the majority of those sales were Triumphs, which always sold well over here.)

Regards,

Andrew

prospect

Anyone remember the Garage that used to be on the Quay in Waterford, I think it was C&G Motors, part of Gowans, selling Citroen & Peugeot.

I have vague memories of going there with my Dad.

bijapos

What happened to the Zetor dealer (or was it MF) on the Naas Road between the Long Mile and Kylemore junctions. As a kid in the 70's I was always well impressed with the tractors parked on the roof. now a used car dealer I think.

Stained Class

bijapos wrote: »

What happened to the Zetor dealer (or was it MF) on the Naas Road between the Long Mile and Kylemore junctions. As a kid in the 70's I was always well impressed with the tractors parked on the roof. now a used car dealer I think.

What a blast from the past.

Hadn't thought of that in years!

Think it was a Zetor dealership alright, seem to remember (then new!) Zetor Crystals on the roof.

O'Sheas, I think, was the name of the place. I could be wrong on that though.

Down our way, in Kilkenny, I remember the Mahon & McPhilips dealership doing the same thing with Leyland tractors.

Gone too sadly..

exador

It was indeed O Sheas. I am originally from the area and remember the tractors on the roof OK.. WOW a blast from the past... I also remember the FIAT plant on Kylemore road. I went on picinics in fields that is now the EP Mooney centre on a day out !! Ah memory lane...

O Sheas is now the Frank Fahey Centre with a few dealers operating out of it..

G Luxel

Still there, nice old picture from the 1960s......

and now.....

exador

-Chris- wrote: »

I was in there last week and was pleasantly surprised to see how they were emphasising that heritage - at the reception desk there's a glass table with original documents dating back to 1938 - meeting minutes etc. - really interesting minutiae from a different time.
It's a very classy garage now too - the removal of the BMW branding hasn't diminished their self-esteem in the slightest. It's minimalist and cool, but welcoming - qualities the German guys who write the International Dealership Standards handbooks spend their lifetimes trying to achieve.

I'm also struck/saddened to be discussing Crawford's in this thread - as much as I knew they had gone bang a few years ago, further reflection has reminded me of the fact that I did my work experience in their Dun Laoghaire (Honda) premises and my impression of David(?) Crawford was that he was a very nice guy - a gentleman.
My dad bought several Opels, back-to-back, over the years from a salesman in Crawford's Sandyford (a guy called Ryan I think). Given the choice he wouldn't have bought anywhere else. Mr. Ryan was his salesman, and my dad was his customer. That was that.
You could only wish for customer loyalty like that in today's dealerships.

That was Pat Ryan who sadly passed away about 2 years ago at a vey young age ...an absolute Gentleman and I had the pleasure of working with him in the latter years.

VolvoMan

exador wrote: »

That was Pat Ryan who sadly passed away about 2 years ago at a vey young age ...an absolute Gentleman and I had the pleasure of working with him in the latter years.

Ironically, I've actually heard the name mentioned before. I think he ended his days in Spirit Motor Group.

exador

VolvoMan wrote: »

Ironically, I've actually heard the name mentioned before. I think he ended his days in Spirit Motor Group.

Spot on. Thats where he was working when he passed away. he was Gentleman and real old school. His brother is general manager Ballsbridge and quite a few relatives involved in the motor trade.

gfwd

BL did the exact same trick with the Triumph Toledo, the regular models had rectangular headlights but towards the end of their production they got double-headlights and were rebranded as the Triumph Dolomite.

Not quite true but that's just the anorak in me! Triumph's small saloon range had a long and confusing life. The Toledo was indeed replaced by the Dolomite 1300 but never had twin headlights. They were reserved for the 1500 fwd, 1500TC, 1500HL, 1850, 1850HL and Sprint.

kuro2k

macplaxton wrote: »

Looking at the font for the address, would look more mid-80s that sticker.

Its early to mid 90's

zilog_jones

Cork (021) had gone up to 6-digit phone numbers some time around the early '90s - that sticker only has 5. That Nissan logo was introduced around 1984 (during the phase out of the Datsun brand), so I'd say it's from some time between then and whenever they changed to 6-digit numbers. The graphics looks very 80s-ish.

O'Mara Motors in Limerick are still around, they moved to the other side of town a few years ago, but they must have forgot about this site:
http://www.iol.ie/~omara/omm/omm_0.html
http://www.iol.ie/~omara/omm/toyota.html
Last updated 1996! But judging by the unregistered pre-facelift E90 Corollas and Carina II, this picture must be from 1987-1990:


The building still remains: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Cork,+County+Cork,+Ireland&ll=52.669654,-8.656561&spn=0,0.002411&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=52.669709,-8.656765&panoid=-_kdq_sw6clkfJdqOT3tWA&cbp=12,342.67,,0,16.22
The big sign to the left used to say Toyota (same style as picutre above), and the "O'Mara Motors" sign is still down the side. The service centre around the back is now an independent mechanic, and the parts shop is also something else.

Dennehy's Cross Garage is still kinda there too:
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Cork,+County+Cork,+Ireland&ll=51.888933,-8.507321&spn=0,0.002411&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=51.88894,-8.50719&panoid=5i7526lcQMA9OvIdIJ5Zxw&cbp=12,189.9,,0,18.12
When did it close down?

@Max_Damage: CAB Motor Group are based in Cork: http://www.cabmotors.com/
They used to use the same logo as on yours. According to their history page they bought the Dungarvan dealership some time before 1973.

@PanhardPL: There's still a Saab dealer on the Ennis Road in Limerick, now it's called Clareview Motors (also Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge and Seat). Not sure if it's the same site but I remember there always being a dealer there.

Can't remember the dealer name, but there was a TA40 Carina I used to see regularly in Kilkee, Co. Clare and the dealer sticker had a two-digit phone number

G Luxel

I was driving somewhere today...and I passed an abandoned showroom which had a P R O T O N sign..........when did u last see one of them???

carchaeologist

G Luxel wrote: »

I was driving somewhere today...and I passed an abandoned showroom which had a P R O T O N sign..........when did u last see one of them???

Drive to Dunmanway from Macroom, just over the one lane bridge over what I think is called the 'Toon river' there's a run down garage with a Proton logo still up.

NedKinsella

realies wrote: »

Fairlane greenhills road Dublin (ford)

I bought my first new car there in 1979, a Fiesta and got a crazy trade in on a very tired mk 1 escort that barely made it into their car park.

exador

NedKinsella wrote: »

I bought my first new car there in 1979, a Fiesta and got a crazy trade in on a very tired mk 1 escort that barely made it into their car park.

Who did you buy it from in Fairlane..

VolvoMan

zilog_jones wrote: »

Dennehy's Cross Garage is still kinda there too:
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Cork,+County+Cork,+Ireland&ll=51.888933,-8.507321&spn=0,0.002411&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=51.88894,-8.50719&panoid=5i7526lcQMA9OvIdIJ5Zxw&cbp=12,189.9,,0,18.12
When did it close down?

I'm not from Cork, but I remember reading that they were absorbed into that big disaster of a business known as Drive Motor Group.

As well as Maxwell Motors, another dealer that has old photos on their website is Fitpatrick's of Kildare: http://www.fitzpatricksgarages.ie/

NedKinsella

exador wrote: »

Who did you buy it from in Fairlane..

It took me a while to come up with a name but I think it was Tom Boyle. He had worked in US or Canada judging by his accent. I remember Bill cullen and I think he worked in Waldens in Parnell St before Fairlane.

exador

NedKinsella wrote: »

It took me a while to come up with a name but I think it was Tom Boyle. He had worked in US or Canada judging by his accent. I remember Bill cullen and I think he worked in Waldens in Parnell St before Fairlane.

Yeh that was Tom Boyle OK...He always had a pipe stuck in his mouth !" Thats when you could smoke..

I think Bill Cullen was involved in another garage in between Walden and Fairlane ? REDSTAR motors I think ?

VolvoMan

exador wrote: »

I think Bill Cullen was involved in another garage in between Walden and Fairlane ? REDSTAR motors I think ?

Yes, that's correct. It's mentioned in his book.

I think they held what was called a 'sub franchise' for FIAT that was in conjunction with Sweeney & Forte or something along those lines.

JabbaTheHut

In Tipperary, there was Doherty and O Dwyer, Limerick road, Tipp town. Main Ford Dealers. Went bust in 89, I think. Dealership went to Barlo in Clonmel after that.

Dillions in Irishtown Clonmel. Volkswagen dealer. Went about the same time.

Egan Bros, also in Clonmel. At the Cashel road roundabout. Where Colville and Hunt are now. Were Hillman dealers. Finished up as Talbot dealers in about 84

exador

VolvoMan wrote: »

Yes, that's correct. It's mentioned in his book.

I think they held what was called a 'sub franchise' for FIAT that was in conjunction with Sweeney & Forte or something along those lines.

I never read the book...is it worth reading ? He was in partnership with another guy called Al ...... can;t for the lifr of me remember the surname but he opened uo Parkmore Motor group and Bill went to Fairlane. They were a big player in the LPG conversion market which was poular at the time due to fuel crisis..

VolvoMan

exador wrote: »

I never read the book...is it worth reading ?

It's a good read if you want an insight into the way the way the Irish motor industry was in the 60's, 70's and 80's and if you can stomach reading about Bill Cullen for hundreds of pages. It is really only of interest from the middle to the end, leading from when he gets his first job in Walden's to buying the Renault distribution in 1986.

can;t for the lifr of me remember the surname but he opened uo Parkmore Motor group and Bill went to Fairlane.

I'm pretty sure that guy was mentioned in the book, although I can't remember his name.

swarlb

VolvoMan wrote: »

Yes, that's correct. It's mentioned in his book.

I think they held what was called a 'sub franchise' for FIAT that was in conjunction with Sweeney & Forte or something along those lines.

Not quite true, they were never a 'sub franchise' for Fiat. At that particular time, it was almost impossible to get any cars in Ireland, apart from Ford and Fiat. Distributors were simply not supplying them. Cullen leased cars (Fiats) from Sweeneys and also from Tractamotors, and simply sold them on. The market at the time was dominated by Ford and Fiat.
I worked for Tractamotors in Prussia St from the 70's up till just before they closed in the early 90's. While the name may be the same, its the only similaraty to the Tractamotors in Blanch, who took on Fiat in the early 80's. Tractamotors originated in Cavan, and are still there. The Dublin Garage was originally BMC, and took on Fiat and Lancia in the early 60's, mainly because at the time Fiat had 3 models, 500, 600 and 850 priced under £500.

BowWow

carchaeologist wrote: »

We had a Kadett
with a Crawfords dealer sticker on it, are they still going?

I think Crawfords were originally in Harch St in Dublin, but moved to Sandymount in the 70's. Some years ago Crawfords was sold to Winfield of Rathmines. They kept the Crawford brand - it was actually the Winfield Grp which went out of business.

BowWow

gfwd wrote: »

I remember Huet Motors. They did indeed finish up in Townsend Street and were in Lad Lane before that. As far as I know they were in Lower Mount Street before that. An old neighbour of mine used to work there and he used to bring a different car home every night. I can remember plenty of Dolly Sprints, big Volvos and the odd Jag. He'd often bring a gang of us out for a spin in whatever he had home that night, usually at scary speeds. Happy days!

Before Lad Lane Huets were at the canal bridge on Mount St. Clanwilliam House office block there now. Site of the original Clanwilliam House - major site of the easter 1916 Rising.

BowWow

jos28 wrote: »

Waldens of Parnell Street - Ford dealers

Waldens still exist and runa "Fleet" from out in Blanchardstown.

Waldens also had a branch in Coolock - now a funeral home.

Also had a branch at the 5 Lamps in the 1960's.

BowWow

jos28 wrote: »

Downeys in Clontarf, block of apartments there now.

Opel dealers around 1970. Premises sold to Michael Grant - the Opel centre on the Malahide Rd.
Was to be a BMW dealers, but became an apartment block with the Celtic Tiger.

The Michael Grant Opelcentre was sold to Crossans, in turn it moved to Airside and is now part of the Winsor Group.

BowWow

Another few - Clontarf Mtrs. Was a Renault dealer for years. Opened by Paddy Stevens after Smiths of Coolock closed. Smiths had been the Renault dealer for the area and Paddy had worked there. Smiths was located just where you turn off the dual carriageway into Coolock village.

Heeleys Malahide - Ford Dealers - Esso petrol station still there.

VolvoMan

BowWow wrote: »

Before Lad Lane Huets were at the canal bridge on Mount St. Clanwilliam House office block there now. Site of the original Clanwilliam House - major site of the easter 1916 Rising.

I have a feeling this big building might be their old Lad Lane premises: http://maps.google.ie/maps?hl=en&q=Lad%20Lane%2C%20Dublin&um=1&biw=1280&bih=933&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=il

The place they last had in Townsend Street is now an apartment block: http://maps.google.ie/maps?hl=en&q=Lombard%20Street%20East%2C%20Dublin&um=1&biw=1280&bih=933&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=il

VolvoMan

BowWow wrote: »

Before Lad Lane Huets were at the canal bridge on Mount St. Clanwilliam House office block there now. Site of the original Clanwilliam House - major site of the easter 1916 Rising.

I just found a picture that I think is of the premises you are talking about, on the far right:



Some very interesting scenery also.

FRANKENFURTER

od and ods up on the old cahir road had some fun in that car park....theres a co op shop there now
:rolleyes:

RobAMerc

there used to be a Saab main dealer in Cahir county Tipp, Donnie "something" or other. My dad tried to buy a 900 turbo off him when they first came out I remember but he wouldn't take our Opel Record (E1 Berlina I think) as a trade in as it was too new ( Dad bought it in a fit and regretted it from day 0 ).
Anyway - this lad was a fairly accomplished rally driver from what I remember.

gfwd

Another few - Clontarf Mtrs. Was a Renault dealer for years. Opened by Paddy Stevens after Smiths of Coolock closed. Smiths had been the Renault dealer for the area and Paddy had worked there. Smiths was located just where you turn off the dual carriageway into Coolock village.

Smiths had a garage on Drumcondra Road too, beside the Skylon. It's a tyre fitters now

gfwd

I just found a picture that I think is of the premises you are talking about, on the far right:

Great pic. Where did you find that?? By chance I was stopped on the bridge that pic was taken from at lunchtime and there was a canal boat in that exact spot. Everything else has changed quite a bit though.

VolvoMan

gfwd wrote: »

Great pic. Where did you find that??

Some Irish historical forum.

Hermy

gfwd wrote: »

Great pic. Where did you find that?? By chance I was stopped on the bridge that pic was taken from at lunchtime and there was a canal boat in that exact spot. Everything else has changed quite a bit though.

I.W.A.I.

BowWow

VolvoMan wrote: »

Another dealer that's been around since 1938 and is still going relatively strong is Maxwell Motors. Over the the years they've been dealers for British Leyland, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Bentley/RR, Honda, Mitsubishi and BMW/MINI.
Much of their history is depicted on their website, with some interesting old period pictures of their garage: http://www.maxwellmotors.ie

Very sad, but I understand that Maxwells ceased trading last Friday.

BowWow

Maxwell website down too.

-Chris-

Yep, you're correct.

JabbaTheHut

RobAMerc wrote: »

there used to be a Saab main dealer in Cahir county Tipp, Donnie "something" or other. My dad tried to buy a 900 turbo off him when they first came out I remember but he wouldn't take our Opel Record (E1 Berlina I think) as a trade in as it was too new ( Dad bought it in a fit and regretted it from day 0 ).
Anyway - this lad was a fairly accomplished rally driver from what I remember.

I don't remember him being a Saab dealer, but I think the guy you were talking about is Donie Keating. He was pretty successful on the rally circuit alright. He owns a Hyuandi dealer there now. Only experience I have is when he refused to do a small warranty job on my car (€10 or so), because I didn't buy it there.

280special

Remember Archers Ford, My dad had a company Mk 1 and then Mk 2 Escort estates from them.

Couple more disappeared dealers;

McQuillan's, Ford dealers in Carrickmacross, Co.Monaghan, bought a Mk2 Escort from them. Closed many years ago and now a furniture shop.

Motorman's of Shercock, Opel Dealers in Co.Cavan, now shops and apartments.

DSC01418.JPG

delthedriver

Does anyone remember Stuarts of Ranelagh Rover dealers. Bought my first mini there in 1984 . Got 2 Ford Escorts in Waldens in 1987 and 1989 nice people to deal with. Another blast from the past Sweeney and Forte in Kilternan Fiat dealers. Watson and Johnson in Greystones Leyland dealers. Grandons in Glanmire Cork had the Alpha Romeo agency in Mid 90s. Still around I think but Fiat or Kia now.

johnayo

Grandons are still in Glanmire. Still Alfa Romeo dealers.They were Fiat dealers back then as well. Alfa, Fiat and Peugeot now.

BowWow

delthedriver wrote: »

Does anyone remember Stuarts of Ranelagh Rover dealers. Bought my first mini there in 1984 . Got 2 Ford Escorts in Waldens in 1987 and 1989 nice people to deal with. Another blast from the past Sweeney and Forte in Kilternan Fiat dealers. Watson and Johnson in Greystones Leyland dealers. Grandons in Glanmire Cork had the Alpha Romeo agency in Mid 90s. Still around I think but Fiat or Kia now.

Stuarts are still operating - Greehills Road in Tallaght I think.

Fiat in Kilternan? Was that not Ambrose Glass?

BowWow

.

VolvoMan

BowWow wrote: »

Stuarts are still operating - Greehills Road in Tallaght I think.

Fiat in Kilternan? Was that not Ambrose Glass?

Ambrose Glass only went I'd say a year ago. They were Alfa Romeo/FIAT for a long time, then Daewoo, then Alfa Romeo/FIAT again.

BowWow

Sweene & Forte did open another garage years ago in Baldoyle, cant remember the name. The premises was then TriStar Mtrs? Then Niall Murphy Mtrs? Then a branch of Mongey Plunkett? Had a few other names too - cant recall them all!

Last time I passed it was a tyre outlet...

Means Of Escape

Next time anyoneis passing Clinch co Meath put on a bib when you see the collection of old Irish Opels across he road from an old garage
sadly rotting to pieces

Big Nasty

me bolly wrote: »

Next time anyoneis passing Clinch co Meath put on a bib when you see the collection of old Irish Opels across he road from an old garage
sadly rotting to pieces

Google Map link?