The first topic is going to be car dealerships and distributors in central Belfast mainly because, as a little boy, I simply adored motor-cars and car show-rooms. Which ones did I frequent?
Mostly Thompson-Reid's and Charles Hurst. Thompson-Reid's show-room at Breda shopping centre (Supermac) was a place I often visited, and the sales men invariably indulged me.
Thompson-Reid had their head office and show-room at 14-16 Donegall Square East, and the show-room went right back to Upper Arthur Street, where there was a little petrol station.
They sold Austin cars.
Thompson-Reid also had premises at the aforementioned Supermac shopping centre.
Charles Hurst was the other big dealership in Belfast which sold British marques, their show-rooms being at 44-54 Chichester Street and 17-27 Montgomery Street.
W H Alexander sold Morris and Wolseley cars at the aptly named Morris House, 90-108 Victoria Street.
Stanley Harvey, at 4 Clarence Street West had, I believe, the concession for Rolls-Royce.
The main Ford dealers were J E Coulter, at 78-82 Antrim road and 38-42 Chichester Street; and R E Hamilton, at 32 Linen Hall Street.
Isaac Agnew was considerably smaller, in commercial terms, though it survives today.
They were main Volkswagon dealers at North Howard Street, Lisburn Road and Falls Road.
A S Baird sold Chrysler, Humber, Hillman, Sunbeam and Simca.
Baird's offices were at was Humber House, 26-30 Ormeau Avenue, and 62-66 Bedford Street.
Clarence Engineering Limited, of 24 Ormeau Avenue and Bankmore Street, sold Triumph and Standard cars.
W H Connolly was located at 118-124 Donegall Pass and, I think, sold Citroen cars.
Dick and company, Donegall Street, sold Fiat cars.
Geddis Cars, 28 Linen Hall Street - Datsun (now Nissan).
David Marshall Limited was the main Vauxhall dealer at 17 Bedford Street.
Have I omitted any?
First published in May, 2010.
28 comments :
Neville Johnson were in Adelaide Street selling toyota but maybe not in 1974
Timothy,
Thanks for your comment on my blog about the Priory - it is a hidden gem! Alas I was only 2 years old in 1974 so have little to contribute to this particular post - I am pretty sure that Belfast was akin to the dark side of the moon to our rural Ards Peninula household!
Regards
Mark
And I was 14 in '74! Getting a bit of pin money during hols at estates like Purdysburn where, if it rained, we all downed tools and headed for the shed!
I've written a bit about Portaferry House and will do a post about Grey Abbey tomorrow I expect.
Tim
Being the same age i remember the showroom at Supermac well,to me it seemed well ahead of its time, a large glass structure high up and overlooking the Saintfield road.Great article btw.
'davethewineguy' beat me to it. Neville Johnson was even more famous for selling the iconic Jensen Interceptor. My heart always missed a beat when I heard or saw them (7.2V8). There was a car showroom near Smithfield I seem to recall, Andrews perhaps. Sold Morris cars maybe?
There's a Plymouth Prowler in Corralejo. Ever spotted any in NI?
I recall Mervyn Stewart Motors who traded on Great Victoria Street around 1974. I think they sold Hillman (Crysler) Cars.
Sydney Pentland Vauxhall Dealers Ravenhill Road
Thanks for bringing back memories of Supermac.. I remember going to the showroom there to see the 'NEW" Allegro with the square steering wheel
Savoy Motors on the Crumlin Road selling Hondas
Hi I'm looking to find out about a man that worked for Thompson and reids garage adalaide street belfast maybe in the late 60's early 70's went by the name of bob, Bobby or Robert he also work for Charles Hurst when they moved to the boucher Rd belfast
Stock Bros. Volkswagen dealers on Sandown Road at Ballyhackamore.Im not sure when they opened but 1971 Directory has them there.
Hello,
I maybe able to help the unknown poster. I worked at Charles Hurst for some 18 years. There were a few few Roberts around including myself Bobby Dickson.
I worked in Thompso Reids around that time with a Bob Mc Cartney and Bobby Patterson was a foreman
Neville was in Adelaide Street from 1965
selling Toyota,I began working there in March 1966.
There was also Gowan Garages on the Lisburn Road, who were the main Peugeot dealers. This is were I served my apprenticeship from 1976-1980.
Hello folk, I was wondering if any of you could remember dealerships near the North Coast area? Thanks ��
Hi,
I worked at Thompson-Reid in 1967/1968 with a Charlie Beggs from Ardoyne...Anyone remember him?
Thanks
I’m a bit late with this one but I know the Plymouth Prowler you mention that was usually parked on Corralejo Main Street and also spotted one in the not so sunny Portrush about the same time the guy that owned Kelly’s Nightclub owned it, he later also had one of the new Gullwing Mercedes.
Hi there, yes i remember charlie beggs I was apprentice auto spark with victor neill. Charlies dad also worked inTRs in the stores despatch he had a glass eye and always wore a flat cap.
I worked in the main workshop upper arthur st in the 60s, as far as i remember leslie clark was workshop foreman and bob the deputy.
I still own the last 2door triumph toledo sold from clarence engineering company of Ormeau Avenue. Belfast. Car is a 1974 production version..still on the road today..
I'm trying to find information about Neville Johnson and stumbled across this comment. My dad worked there from 1976
Bob Somerville
I began working for Neville Johnston Garages in March 1966 and remained there for 45 years with Toyota although through different owners..
I don't know if it was the same company but there was a Baird car parts cash and carry, in an industrial estate behind Budget DIY in Newtownabbey, roughly where the B+Q is now.
My dad worked for Dencourt for a while on the Ford trucks before they became Iveco Ford. I believe Dencourt in the 90s had a Cadillac showroom on Royal Avenue.
SS Logan in Whiteabbey was a Rover dealer, later came full circle and currently sell MG.
Mitsubishi showroom on the Shore Road, later became HSS hire and is now a Lidl car park.
Heading into Carrickfergus there was a Skoda dealer near the police building at Seaview, a Proton dealer past Fortfield, and Alan Cahoon Hyundai later Cannon Motors.
Downshire Motors the other side of Carrickfergus, for Renault.
I have an MGB GT V8 and the records show that it was dispatched on the 27 September 1973 to Thompson Reid Limited Belfast. Could anyone give me any more information regarding this.
I worked in Charles Hurst with a Bob Somerville from Ballygowan. Sam
I worked in Dencourt Motors for 3 yrs and saw the Iveco been introduced so may have worked with your father........Some of the deisel mechanics I remember......
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