Vintage H. Ballard & Son garage.
I first stumbled across this garage cum filling station a couple of years back, and re-visited it during a day out in 2008. From the outside it looks to be in great condition, and a credit to the current owners for keeping it in such fine condition. The company is still in business, with another dealership / car workshop a short way up the road from this earlier building.
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My guess is the garage building dates to the 1930s, and looks to be little modified from how it would have looked prior to WW2. The two petrol pumps, both Avery Hardoll (most likely examples of the Model S), are from the early 1950s, perhaps replacing earlier hand-cranked pumps, many of which were produced by Bowser. Both of the vintage petrol pumps are in very good condition, helped no end by being located beneath a canopy and behind a pair of sturdy cast iron gates. Both pumps feature the 'clock face' type of dial, later pumps having rotary number dials to count the amount of fuel being dispensed - known in the day as the "Computer" type.
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Even the swing-out boom, that extends out over the pavement to cars waiting for fuel is in place. At one time these were a common sight on high streets everywhere, pedestrians either having to walk out into the road to pass a stationary vehicle, or else duck under the boom while a car was being topped up with 'motor spirit' by the service station assistant. I can just picture Austin and Morris cars of the 1930s pulling up for fuel, a smart attendant in white overalls attending to the motorist's needs. A quick check of the tyre pressures, and a shot of Redex for good luck, and they'd soon be on their way again. No air fresheners or plastic-tasting coffee in sight!
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The 'BP Energol Lubrication' sign above the pumps looks to be a little later, either 50s or early 1960s. The large central wooden door is fitted with rollers at the top, allowing the door to be slid to the left. What a time-warp place!
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More old garage photos here, including this fine old Rootes garage in Llandrindod Wells.
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