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Posted by: 55Kab - 04 June 2009 14:09:01
Like all early RHD cars, the Cabrio was brought into the UK and sold by VW Motors Ltd. I've never seen any photos of the showroom or premises from the fifties (or even early 60's - an old Safer Motoring?) and wondered if anyone had anything they could post. Also never seen a dealer badge or sticker. Can anyone confirm if they've ever seen one? Perhaps you have a car with one on???

Posted by: Mike Peckham - 04 June 2009 14:38:29
Bill Boddys book about the Beetle that was published in the early eighties has a number of dealer photographs of VW Motors in London - I think... I'll check my copy this evening when I get home. Mike

Posted by: 55Kab - 04 June 2009 19:29:26
[quote=Mike Peckham]Bill Boddys book about the Beetle that was published in the early eighties has a number of dealer photographs of VW Motors in London - I think... I'll check my copy this evening when I get home. Mike[/quote] If it does any chance you can scan and post up Mike?

Posted by: Mike Peckham - 04 June 2009 21:16:16
There are 4, the first shows the frontage of the London Showrooms; [ATTACH]3145[/Attach]

Posted by: Mike Peckham - 04 June 2009 21:21:03
The second is inside the Castrol Lubrication Bay at Lords Court; [ATTACH]3146[/Attach]

Posted by: Mike Peckham - 04 June 2009 21:23:56
The third is the main service station behind the showrooms in Lodge Rd. not far from Lords Cricket Ground; [ATTACH]3147[/Attach]

Posted by: Mike Peckham - 04 June 2009 21:26:15
And the last is a hand out pic of a RHD Standard from about 53 - 55 (53 judging by the ribbed semaphores?); [ATTACH]3148[/Attach]

Posted by: 55Kab - 04 June 2009 23:06:42
Aha...tks for posting Mike.:wink: That really gives an insight. Anyone know if any of it survives today? Anyone with any more pics?

Posted by: Rich Oakley - 05 June 2009 00:00:41
Great pics Mike. I'm sure I have seen more somewhere. You might have already told me Martin, but do you have proof that the car was 'sold' by VW Motors Ltd? They were the S.E. VW distributor so their cars were supplied to numerous dealers in the S.E.

Posted by: 55Kab - 05 June 2009 00:09:32
[quote=Rich Oakley]You might have already told me Martin, but do you have proof that the car was 'sold' by VW Motors Ltd? They were the S.E. VW distributor so their cars were supplied to numerous dealers in the S.E.[/quote] Not exactly. The first owner lived in London, can't remember the address, I'll look it out so I think it's safe to assume it came from VW Motors. Can you check where RLL was issued? I guess that now begs the question how many VW dealerships were in operation nationwide by mid 55, and how many of those were in the SE? So little data seems to be around on the early days of RHD imported VW's. The story would make a book in itself.

Posted by: 55Kab - 05 June 2009 00:09:32

[quote=Rich Oakley]You might have already told me Martin, but do you have proof that the car was 'sold' by VW Motors Ltd? They were the S.E. VW distributor so their cars were supplied to numerous dealers in the S.E.[/quote] Not exactly. The first owner lived in London, can't remember the address, I'll look it out so I think it's safe to assume it came from VW Motors. Can you check where RLL was issued? I guess that now begs the question how many VW dealerships were in operation nationwide by mid 55, and how many of those were in the SE? So little data seems to be around on the early days of RHD imported VW's. The story would make a book in itself.

Posted by: Rich Oakley - 05 June 2009 00:37:36
You would be surprised at how many VW dealerships were in the UK in 1955 (approaching 200!!). Most of these were agents for other brands too and VWs were very much secondary. There were 12 dealerships in the Greater London area alone by early '56 and VW Motors as a VW appointed distributor supplied many dealerships outside the Greater London area.

Posted by: gary c - 06 June 2009 00:09:30
RLL was issued in london area cant be any more specific

Posted by: ianmac - 07 June 2009 11:19:54
[quote=Mike Peckham]There are 4, the first shows the frontage of the London Showrooms; [/quote] Wouldn't you love a time machine just to be able to wander into that showroom today to have a look round?:shock:

Posted by: 55Kab - 08 June 2009 22:29:28
[quote=gary c]RLL was issued in london area cant be any more specific[/quote] Thanks Gary. First owner lived in SW7 which is a very, very nice part of London and certainly explains the metallic paint (Iris) and the dealer fitted Motormeter Rally Panel.:lol: With his address being nearly on top of Hyde Park I would think VW Motors would have been no more that 5-6 miles away so it's a safe bet the car came from there. Anyone with any period dealer literature? Trying to track down the owner/family at the moment but both he and the second owner have moved so a bit of detective work is going on. Would be fantastic to hear some stories and of course the ultimate, find some photos of the car in its youth.

Posted by: 55Kab - 08 June 2009 22:29:28

[quote=gary c]RLL was issued in london area cant be any more specific[/quote] Thanks Gary. First owner lived in SW7 which is a very, very nice part of London and certainly explains the metallic paint (Iris) and the dealer fitted Motormeter Rally Panel.:lol: With his address being nearly on top of Hyde Park I would think VW Motors would have been no more that 5-6 miles away so it's a safe bet the car came from there. Anyone with any period dealer literature? Trying to track down the owner/family at the moment but both he and the second owner have moved so a bit of detective work is going on. Would be fantastic to hear some stories and of course the ultimate, find some photos of the car in its youth.

Posted by: Rich Oakley - 10 June 2009 23:33:47
[quote=55Kab] First owner lived in SW7 which is a very, very nice part of London and certainly explains the metallic paint (Iris) and the dealer fitted Motormeter Rally Panel.:lol: With his address being nearly on top of Hyde Park I would think VW Motors would have been no more that 5-6 miles away so it's a safe bet the car came from there. [/quote] There was actually a new dealer in SW7 in 1955 just off the Brompton Rd in South Ken. Believe it or not, I drove past the location this very morning! What was the address of the first owner?

Posted by: Rich Oakley - 10 June 2009 23:33:47

[quote=55Kab] First owner lived in SW7 which is a very, very nice part of London and certainly explains the metallic paint (Iris) and the dealer fitted Motormeter Rally Panel.:lol: With his address being nearly on top of Hyde Park I would think VW Motors would have been no more that 5-6 miles away so it's a safe bet the car came from there. [/quote] There was actually a new dealer in SW7 in 1955 just off the Brompton Rd in South Ken. Believe it or not, I drove past the location this very morning! What was the address of the first owner?

Posted by: Judson53 - 11 June 2009 19:19:46
[quote=Mike Peckham]And the last is a hand out pic of a RHD Standard from about 53 - 55 (53 judging by the ribbed semaphores?); [/quote] My 53 standard came from here,wonder if that it,when it was a compleat car ofcouse :lol:

Posted by: GKL 7 - 11 June 2009 19:45:49
UMMM! Nice Avatar Rich.

Posted by: Rich Oakley - 11 June 2009 23:02:26
[quote='50 Karmann]UMMM! Nice Avatar Rich.[/quote] Mk1 Polos- the way forward.

Posted by: 55Kab - 17 June 2009 10:28:48
[quote=Rich Oakley]There was actually a new dealer in SW7 in 1955 just off the Brompton Rd in South Ken. Believe it or not, I drove past the location this very morning! What was the address of the first owner?[/quote] How dew know that then? :lol: Car arrived in the UK in May, do you have any idea when that dealership opened? First owner lived in Roland Gardens which is off Brompton Rd so perhaps he just walked around the corner! :lol: Must try and track him or the family down, there's gotta be a story there. Out of interest I emailed VAG at Milton Keynes to ask if they had any old photos/details etc. Not surprisingly they can back with the answer, and I quote: "Thank you for your recent enquiry. I am afraid that given the age of this dealership Volkswagen UK do not have any information on this matter. I would recommend perhaps contacting the chamber of commerce for the area to see if they have records for this period. Sorry that we cant be of any more assistance"

Posted by: 55Kab - 17 June 2009 10:28:48

[quote=Rich Oakley]There was actually a new dealer in SW7 in 1955 just off the Brompton Rd in South Ken. Believe it or not, I drove past the location this very morning! What was the address of the first owner?[/quote] How dew know that then? :lol: Car arrived in the UK in May, do you have any idea when that dealership opened? First owner lived in Roland Gardens which is off Brompton Rd so perhaps he just walked around the corner! :lol: Must try and track him or the family down, there's gotta be a story there. Out of interest I emailed VAG at Milton Keynes to ask if they had any old photos/details etc. Not surprisingly they can back with the answer, and I quote: "Thank you for your recent enquiry. I am afraid that given the age of this dealership Volkswagen UK do not have any information on this matter. I would recommend perhaps contacting the chamber of commerce for the area to see if they have records for this period. Sorry that we cant be of any more assistance"

Posted by: mrsherbie - 17 June 2009 10:42:03
I was thinking the same, there still are a few car showrooms on Old Brompton Road SW7, one of the HR Owen buildings is actually on the same block as Roland I think so about 1 minute away! and there are 2 others along that stretch, obviously now they are not lowly VW any more! :lol: But some of the original garage buildings date back to the 30's, so it would be logical that in the 50's one of these would be selling quality European cars, as they kind of still do! :d The Royal Geographical Society library is very close up nr Albert Hall but its somewhere you have to go in person, but there will be lots of photos of this area over the years its just finding the right street shot. Obviously tracking back the original owner would be far easier! :lol:

Posted by: mrsherbie - 17 June 2009 10:42:03

I was thinking the same, there still are a few car showrooms on Old Brompton Road SW7, one of the HR Owen buildings is actually on the same block as Roland I think so about 1 minute away! and there are 2 others along that stretch, obviously now they are not lowly VW any more! :lol: But some of the original garage buildings date back to the 30's, so it would be logical that in the 50's one of these would be selling quality European cars, as they kind of still do! :d The Royal Geographical Society library is very close up nr Albert Hall but its somewhere you have to go in person, but there will be lots of photos of this area over the years its just finding the right street shot. Obviously tracking back the original owner would be far easier! :lol:

Posted by: 55Kab - 17 June 2009 10:52:47
[quote=mrsherbie]HR Owen is actually on the same block I think so about 1 minute away! and there are 2 others along that stretch[/quote] Quick, call Annika Rice (now there's a thought! - sorry off topic) sounds like a TREASURE HUNT for NOS VW parts. You just never know... I bet Prof Oakley is driving there as I type this! :lol: :lol:

Posted by: mrsherbie - 17 June 2009 11:12:55
You need deep pockets for any of the garages along there now and any old junk vw parts would have gone in the skip YEARS ago! :lol: But it would be cool if you discovered your car came from the same building on the corner that is now the UK official Lambo centre would'nt it ! :d Its been a car dealers as long as I can remember since I was little ( ps. odds slim but you just never know!) Now, I am envisaging the look on their faces when Rich parks up on the kerb outside in his mk1 polo and walks in there with excited sweaty palms wearing an old vw t-shirt :lol: [url=https://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/index.jsp?cid=210598]showroom[/url] :lol:

Posted by: mrsherbie - 17 June 2009 11:12:55

You need deep pockets for any of the garages along there now and any old junk vw parts would have gone in the skip YEARS ago! :lol: But it would be cool if you discovered your car came from the same building on the corner that is now the UK official Lambo centre would'nt it ! :d Its been a car dealers as long as I can remember since I was little ( ps. odds slim but you just never know!) Now, I am envisaging the look on their faces when Rich parks up on the kerb outside in his mk1 polo and walks in there with excited sweaty palms wearing an old vw t-shirt :lol: [url=https://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/index.jsp?cid=210598]showroom[/url] :lol:

Posted by: 55Kab - 17 June 2009 12:09:18
[quote=mrsherbie]it would be cool if you discovered your car came from the same building on the corner that is now the UK official Lambo centre would'nt it ! :d Its been a car dealers as long as I can remember[/quote] Indeed, it would be 8) Deffo photo opp when she's finished. The historical aspect really intrigues me. There were only 2 owners before Arthur Law bought her and he was the guy that Mike Attewell bought her from. Unfortunately both the owners have moved from the addresses I have so hopefully enquires at the records office will help track them/the family down. It doesn't look good anyway because I was thinking, how old would someone be in 1955 who could afford a Cabrio Beetle. If you said 35 which I think is optimistic that would make them 89 years old now. But, you never know. Love the video clip, especially the offer of sherry and biscuits, my, how times have changed!

Posted by: 55Kab - 17 June 2009 12:09:18

[quote=mrsherbie]it would be cool if you discovered your car came from the same building on the corner that is now the UK official Lambo centre would'nt it ! :d Its been a car dealers as long as I can remember[/quote] Indeed, it would be 8) Deffo photo opp when she's finished. The historical aspect really intrigues me. There were only 2 owners before Arthur Law bought her and he was the guy that Mike Attewell bought her from. Unfortunately both the owners have moved from the addresses I have so hopefully enquires at the records office will help track them/the family down. It doesn't look good anyway because I was thinking, how old would someone be in 1955 who could afford a Cabrio Beetle. If you said 35 which I think is optimistic that would make them 89 years old now. But, you never know. Love the video clip, especially the offer of sherry and biscuits, my, how times have changed!

Posted by: Rich Oakley - 17 June 2009 13:08:54
[img]https://home.btconnect.com/oakley-web/european-cars.JPG[/img] :wink:

Posted by: Rich Oakley - 17 June 2009 13:23:37
today... [img]https://home.btconnect.com/oakley-web/brompton.jpg[/img] HR Owen opened their Kensington site in the early 60s.

Posted by: 54 Gertie - 17 June 2009 13:42:46
https://maps.google.com/ Type into there either 129 Old Brompton Road London or Roland Gardens London Then click on "Street view" and you can have a look around the roads! 8) For Roland Gardens you can see most of the way down to Old Brompton Road so you can be pretty sure that your car has at some point been parked down that road! :wink: I would post a link to both but the URL does not change! :? Which number Roland Gardens did the first owner live?

Posted by: 54 Gertie - 17 June 2009 13:42:46

https://maps.google.com/ Type into there either 129 Old Brompton Road London or Roland Gardens London Then click on "Street view" and you can have a look around the roads! 8) For Roland Gardens you can see most of the way down to Old Brompton Road so you can be pretty sure that your car has at some point been parked down that road! :wink: I would post a link to both but the URL does not change! :? Which number Roland Gardens did the first owner live?

Posted by: mrsherbie - 17 June 2009 14:04:51
Its not the lambo one its further along the road a bit, the Lambo garage used to be HR Owen's Ferrari Bentley etc showroom. They have had a shuffle around I think they own both anyway. (I have not been up there for about a year but my folks have a flat in Onslow Gardens, 2 streets from Roland ) Come to think of it, the original owner was in fact ME, and your kab is actually mine! tsk! how could I be so absent minded and forget where I parked it last! :roll: :lol: (but, I might wait until it is completely finished before I come round and collect the keys though if thats ok? :beer: )

Posted by: mrsherbie - 17 June 2009 14:04:51

Its not the lambo one its further along the road a bit, the Lambo garage used to be HR Owen's Ferrari Bentley etc showroom. They have had a shuffle around I think they own both anyway. (I have not been up there for about a year but my folks have a flat in Onslow Gardens, 2 streets from Roland ) Come to think of it, the original owner was in fact ME, and your kab is actually mine! tsk! how could I be so absent minded and forget where I parked it last! :roll: :lol: (but, I might wait until it is completely finished before I come round and collect the keys though if thats ok? :beer: )

Posted by: 55Kab - 17 June 2009 15:22:27
[quote=Rich Oakley][img]https://home.btconnect.com/oakley-web/european-cars.JPG[/img] :wink: [/quote] Aha, after looking at Multimap I wasn't far off then when I said the owner probably just walked around the corner :!:

Posted by: 55Kab - 17 June 2009 15:23:11
[quote=54 Gertie]Which number Roland Gardens did the first owner live?[/quote] 43 Roland House Roland Gardens Rich, can you take a pic of it and whatever's at 129 Old Brompton or is that the Lambo dealer?

Posted by: 55Kab - 17 June 2009 15:27:36
[quote=mrsherbie]not been up there for about a year but my folks have a flat in Onslow Gardens, 2 streets from Roland ) Come to think of it, the original owner was in fact ME[/quote] That's cool 8) Always knew you were posh totty Anna...!!! :lol: :lol: :lol: And nice try, best I can do is bump you to the front of the que for rides! :lol: :beer:

Posted by: Denz - 18 June 2009 23:21:41
The birth certificate of my late '55 oval says that its an original UK import to VW Motors London. The reg 'FMG' denotes a North East London - Middlesex origin. Guess it'll be tough to narrow it down any further.

Posted by: 55Kab - 19 June 2009 22:16:03
[quote=Denz]The birth certificate of my late '55 oval says that its an original UK import to VW Motors London. The reg 'FMG' denotes a North East London - Middlesex origin. Guess it'll be tough to narrow it down any further.[/quote] At that time VW Motors were the official importers so irrespective of which dealer sold a car, all the birth certs say VW Motors.

Posted by: 54 Gertie - 19 June 2009 22:18:40
[quote=55Kab] At that time VW Motors were the official importers so irrespective of which dealer sold a car, all the birth certs say VW Motors. [/quote] Agreed. Ours is from Essex and was imported to "VW Motors London"

Posted by: Denz - 27 June 2009 17:32:11
[quote=55Kab] At that time VW Motors were the official importers so irrespective of which dealer sold a car, all the birth certs say VW Motors. [/quote] I wasn't disputing that Martin. Just providing a little insight into where my UK oval rag hails from, and opening it up for comment to see if I could narrow down the location where it was first bought. :wink:

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