Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

47p2 · Joined: 24 Nov 2007 Posts: 2009 Location: Glasgow

William Anderson established the firm of William Anderson , coal merchant and contractors, in 1832 at premises at Thornliebank, East Renfrewshire, Scotland. The firm remained in the hands of the family after the death of William Anderson. In 1895 , new premises were acquired at Speirsbridge, near Thornliebank. Robert Anderson (d1937) ran the company from the 1840s. As keen cyclist, he moved into selling and repairing bicycles and in 1904 the company sold its first motorcar, a 10/20 Coventry Humber for £358. In 1902 , he acquired further premises at Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire, which he operated as Robert Anderson , bicycle repairers and garage. The William Anderson coal company was retained as a separate concern and operated under its original name until 1930.
The Newton Mearns site became the firm's main garage premises, although a second garage was acquired at Giffnock, East Renfrewshire, in 1915 . In 1930 the business was incorporated as a limited liability company, Andersons (Newton Mearns) Ltd . Robert Anderson's son, James, was responsible for building the "Anderson's Specials" of the 1920s. There were 4 car models available with a variety of chassis, suspensions and power units, the most famous being the 'Bug'. The first Anderson Special was built in 1922 and was torpedo shaped with a space frame built up from light mild steel angle to carry units and panels. The power units for the 'Bug' varied but it finished up with 2 Austin 7 engines side by side.

In 1947 the company ceased its operations as coal merchants and contractors. The company was a dealer for Rootes (later Chrysler) Cars and operated a machine tool shop between 1947 and 1960 . In 1980 Andersons (Newton Mearns) Ltd went into voluntary liquidation.

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ROVER
One of Britain's Fine Cars

clan chieftain · Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Posts: 2041 Location: Motherwell

I seem to remember a film about this garage but I cant remember where I saw it.
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The Clan Chieftain

Peter_L · Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 2:25 pm Post subject:

Interesting post, thanks.

Image of "Anderson Special"

http://www.classiccar4you.com/classic-cars-gallery/?album=157&gallery=656&pid=1949

New building and recovery service (Make sure your video starts at 00, I had times when it would start with Donington film)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uhg8X8nOVUQ

I wonder what happened to the Rolls Royce. ?

Video goes on to show some early film from Donington.

The start and end of an era.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZMDgj9E0Dg

(many edits, because of bad internet connection. contractors here hit a service pole)

Rootes75 · Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 2:52 pm Post subject:

I love the shot of the Petrol pumps, nice to see it in colour.
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Various Rootes Vehicles.

mikeC · Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 4:57 pm Post subject:

I don't think the twin Austin Seven engines were fitted side-by-side; I think they were transversely mounted (so effectively a straight eight) with the drive taken off between the two halves.

There's a superb video of the last Anderson Special here:

http://movingimage.nls.uk/film/7341

Ronniej · Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 6:50 pm Post subject:

I think most Glasgow south-siders of a certain vintage will remember Anderson's garage. They were a Rootes main dealer and were held in high regard. It was the last fuel stop before you hit the Ayr Road or, more likely, the first you came to on the way home after a day on the Ayrshire coast.
The site is now an Asda supermarket. (How sad!)
The film you mention was produced by the Scottish Film Library and is available on U-Tube if you simply put in "Andersons of Newton Mearns".(Sorry I don't know how to attach links.)
One of the "Anderson Specials" is on display in the Kelvingrove Museum although I would think the new Riverside Transport Museum would be more appropriate.
Anderson's operated a filling station in Spiersbridge, just within the Glasgow City boundary until the '50s (?). There is a picture of this in the late Robert Grieve's excellent transport photo collection but this area has changed significantly over the years and I cannot say with certainty where this was.

47Jag · Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2015 12:17 am Post subject:

Moke C,

I read something in the previous post that the A7 engines were bolted together at the sumps to make a boxer (flat Cool

. It also said that one block was reversed so that the spark plugs were at the top???

Art

47p2 · Joined: 24 Nov 2007 Posts: 2009 Location: Glasgow

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ROVER
One of Britain's Fine Cars