old Bond dealership

[richard]

not much  Bond interest on this site generally but here goes . Robbs Garage Wallasey 1950's - 60's

[Rusty Chrome (Malcolm Parker)]

Well at least one Bond lover here is very happy to see these pics. Thanks for posting Lot's of Bond C's and D's and no later models so probably 1956

[marcus]

Not particularly a Bond fan, but still like seeing those pics!
Funny, on my wide screen monitor the Bonds look really long and sleek, almost American!

[richard]

yep . two new mark D's in the small showroom on the left and one on trade plates in the middle outside as well  (- though i am told that some late C's had that smaller front grill too) the Business is still there servicing " normal cars " under the same management third generation now , second generation Graham Robb a recent Bond Club member at my instigation . he is now 70 odd and not been into micro's for many a year . The garage was a main dealer with Graham and or his father travelling up to the Preston factory by train and returning with new cars , usually loaded with spares . The garage became a hub of local activity with up to a dozen ( twelve, for younger listeners ) cars turning up lunchtime saturday to tire kick, chat and see what was new . that probably explains the amount of cars outside .

[Rusty Chrome (Malcolm Parker)]

Here's some views of it as it is now (or at least in 2009) from Google.

[Rusty Chrome (Malcolm Parker)]

Not changed a huge amount

[richard]

behind the shutters , the old showroom , is now an immaculately restored MGA ex-california . to my mind a bit too pretty in turquoise sshhhhhh Rob's recent passion , he now seems keen to return to the fold 

[marcus]

I love MGAs!

[richard]

interesting four wheeler in the first photo . what must have been, even then surely ,- an old perambulator

[Big Al]

Bonds and Singers, judging by the banner board on the garage. An unusual mix or did the Singer agency pre-date the Bond.

Sounds like a 'proper' garage if it had owners grouping there in mutual support etc. Great. The sort of garage that is hard to find now and to cherish.

[richard]

over the years almost all cars have lost their character. bikes on the other hand still retain a bit of the old magic . many the saturday morning when my mate adam and i will still meet up at Bill Smiths motorcycles in Chester and see whats new , help ourselves to a complimentary hot chocolate from the free vending machine and chew the fat before a run out into wales . how i would love to go back in time and be one of the Bond owners meeting at Robbs before a run out .
i held this picture back al. just spotted the collision damaged rear offside wing to the E/F Bond in the workshop - OUCH

[wilksie]

What delightful old photos! Keep posting them. Please!

[richard]

run out !! someone else must have something on celluloid concerning the old dealers . makes you think maybe RUM ought to try and save what can be saved now . might have got myself a job 

[Barry]

Boosted the colour a bit.

[richard]

thanks - much better lets see what dating clues we can see now then