Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Riley1489]

I'm trying to research the history of my 1960 Riley 1.5 and it's nearly as complete as I'd like but I'm just missing the name and address of the original dealership that sold the vehicle. I know it's probably in the Birmingham area based on it's original registration number (721 AOP now on a yellow 1998 Porsche) but has anyone any ideas on how to track down the original dealership? British Motor Industry Heritage Trust at Gaydon perhaps?
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Graham
(Rust never sleeps)

[Classic_Dave]

Yes, mine only gave the name of dealer but not actual garage. Mine had outkets in T Wells and Tonbridge.

[Riley1489]

Dave

Cheers.

Off to Gaydon it is then.
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Graham
(Rust never sleeps)

[MikeEdwards]

Have you done a V888 previous owner search through the DVLA? I'm not sure how well it works if the car isn't on the original registration, or how far back the details go, but I got a copy of each of the V5 "change of keeper" applications and the origjnal registration application which (just about, given the poor quality of their microfiche records) showed me the supplying dealer. Costs a fiver, I think.

[Riley1489]

Mike

Tried that and it didn't throw up anything I didn't really know although it was a useful exercise and did give me a few other documents that I can add into the history of the car.
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Graham
(Rust never sleeps)

[peter scott]

Hi Graham,

Have you traced the first owner or relatives of same? If so then they might be the best source given the number of BMC dealerships in the Birmingham area.

Peter
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https://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

[Riley1489]

Peter, thanks for getting in touch.

I wrote to the original owner's address and the current owner of the house phoned to say that he had passed away some years ago and they had no details of the whereabouts of any relatives. They didn't have to do that and I was just grateful that they took the time to call.

So, hopefully Gaydon will come up with something or it may just be that the original dealership and location remains a mystery forever and a day.

Now, if it was an American TV police show or Spooks in the UK then all will have been discovered in a nano-second but real life isn't just like that.
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Graham
(Rust never sleeps)

[Riley1489]

From another source I've managed to ascertain that the original registration records for Birmingham have been destroyed so trying to find out the original dealership is likely to prove fruitless.......I shall carry on digging though.
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Graham
(Rust never sleeps)

[Riley1489]

Mike

Just had another look at the paperwork supplied by DVLA in response to my V888 enquiry and they have provided copies of microfiche of the original logbook. However what they hold is from page 7 onwards and not the front page which have shown the original dealership and first owner etc.
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Graham
(Rust never sleeps)

[peter scott]

[Riley1489]

Peter

Thanks for the suggestion. Let's see where this leads......

Graham
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Graham
(Rust never sleeps)

[Riley1489]

Death certificate tracked down and ordered......
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Graham
(Rust never sleeps)

[ukdave2002]

Any post war BMC vehicle I have owned has had the supping dealer on the Heritage certificate, except the MGA which was exported.

I would think this will be your best approach.

Cheers

Dave

[Riley1489]

Dave

Thanks for the suggestion and it's certainly is an option and I plan to go to Gaydon to do some research or when I'm here just order a certificate.

I will attempt to get in touch with any relatives just to see if they have any information or historical pictures that could copy. All adds to the history I'm compiling.

Cheers
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Graham
(Rust never sleeps)

[Fatbloke]

Heritage certificate come up trumps for mine.

Archers of Shirley.
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Mike,

A Fatbloke in a Herald.