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Old Rootes Garages, history.
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MrWhite



Joined: 09 May 2017
Posts: 105

PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2017 9:27 pm    Post subject: Old Rootes Garages, history. Reply with quote

HI, I am new on here and own a Super Minx which I am trying to trace the history of. So starting at the beginning, supplying dealer, I am wondering if anyone has any knowledge of or can point me in the right direction to get information about old Rootes dealers. The one in question is Gough's of Bristol which as far as I can see hasn't existed for some time, found a cuole of references to them supplying "Motor Carriages" for weddings etc but more well before the 60s than anywhere around that time. I am interested in the history side of things regardless anyway, pictures would be good if there is anything around?
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Rootes75



Joined: 30 Apr 2013
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Location: The Somerset Levels

PostPosted: Sat May 13, 2017 4:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

There was a big garage near Bristol in Cheddar called Goughs.
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MrWhite



Joined: 09 May 2017
Posts: 105

PostPosted: Mon May 15, 2017 8:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I will look into that, I think somewhere there was a suggestion of at least one other Garage. The one our car came from was "The Grove, Bristol 1" and seems to be beside what used to be the docks. Just what I have managed to see from Google.
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Rick
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Joined: 27 Apr 2005
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Location: UK

PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2017 8:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I wonder if the Rootes Archive has any information?

http://www.rootesarchivecentre.org.uk/

RJ
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peter scott



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PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2017 8:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

That's a fascinating website Rick. Potentially very interesting.

Thanks for posting,

Peter
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Rick
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PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2017 9:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

peter scott wrote:
That's a fascinating website Rick. Potentially very interesting.

Thanks for posting,

Peter


I had a chat with a few people involved with it, at the NEC the other week, seems like they have big plans for their archives, having secured a new building to establish themselves in.

RJ
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Rootes75



Joined: 30 Apr 2013
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PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2017 10:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

That is a very interesting site, they are really doing a good job bringing it all together.
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Penman



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
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Location: Swindon, Wilts.

PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2017 10:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi
I suspect that Gough's Garage in Cheddar was run by the same family who owned Gough's Cave.
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MrWhite



Joined: 09 May 2017
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PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2017 8:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes I think you are right, I did a bit of research last night and there is loads about the family, caves, how they arrenged Charabanc trips to the Gorge and caves and it would seem abvious to have another garage in the biggest local town. My Tax disc holder says "Gough's Garages" so that also suggests more than one. There wasn't actually any mention of a Garage in Bristol but many of the Tourists came in transport from Bristol, so it would make sense for them to have a base there. By the time our car was there (1964) it was no longer owned by the Gough family and the "Proprietor" is listed as "L.W.Oxenham" but so far I have no information about him or what happened. The Cheddar Garage is now an Indian Restaurant, there is a bit of hisory about it, formerly owned by the Burnell brothers who were described as "coachbuilders". Goughs seemed to suply the local Petrol for cars and gas for street lighting and lamps. "Provision of motoring services" mentioned, I guess pre-everyone having their own car, I saw an old advert offering wedding cars and in relation to the Charabanc trip, for tourists to the caves.
I have also dropped one of the guys at the Rootes archive an E.Mail, will keep you posted if I get any more information or an answer back, cheers for the replies, all interesting stuff Very Happy
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Rootes75



Joined: 30 Apr 2013
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PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2017 12:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I had a chat to my Father yesterday, he was brought up in Wells so not far from Cheddar. He remembers the garage quite well, he was saying he remembers them selling many makes, not just Rootes cars.
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victor 101



Joined: 03 Apr 2009
Posts: 446
Location: East Yorkshire

PostPosted: Thu May 18, 2017 9:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

There is a dealer book from 1965 advertised on the bay of fleas, item http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/d1gAAOSw4A5YxvAm/s-l500.jpg
item 282483321454
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Ray White



Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 6283
Location: Derby

PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2017 11:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Not that it has anything to do with the Rootes Group but according to the small brass plaque on it's dashboard, my Austin Swallow saloon was supplied new in September 1930 by a "Gough's garage" in Outram Street, Sutton in Ashfield, Notts. This is just a short drive from where I live.

I don't know if there is actually a connection but I would be interested in any information regarding the Gough's garage in Sutton in Ashfield which has long since disappeared.
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MrWhite



Joined: 09 May 2017
Posts: 105

PostPosted: Sat May 20, 2017 7:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

victor 101, I will have a lok at the book, depends how much it is but if it's cheap enough I may even buy it Smile

Ray, If I find anything else about Goughs and the possibility of other garages I will let you know. Just looked at a map and it's a bit of a stretch to imagine they would have the Garages I know about and one that far away but you never know. Have a llok at this;
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/ba860bb6-6dda-4b7f-ad7d-1339c43ac764
and follow some of the links about the family etc, it's quite interesting and they were certainly involved in the Motor trade from the turn of the century till the 1960s.They also founded a Motor Museum, so the answers to both our questions may lie there Wink
Cheers for all the onfo and interest guys, much appreciated and if anyone has anything else feel free to post it up, I intend to keep this going as I find out more info but intruding into this now is the show season and actually getting my hands dirty getting the car ready . Cool
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