A & B Motors

[Datsun Fantatic]

I came across this Forum having searched A&B because I have recently bought a lovely sports car and in the rear window is an A&B sticker. The car is a 240Z Datsun and is extremely original and a rare find - most rotten away.

I have shown this picture to a fellow 240Z enthusiast and he says that his very famous car was originally supplied by A&B too. His car competed in the 1971 RAC Rally and was a 'full works' entry.
If anyone has recollection of supplying or working on these fine sports cars from A&B then I would love to here from them.

A&B Motors.jpg

[bob]

Just a thought for Datsun Fanatic, here are some 1972 shots of both the A&B sites in Newton.
Bob

A&B Site 1.jpg

A&B Site 2.jpg

[ron knight]

Just looking again at the postings about A&B. To add a little more about the people who worked there, the body shop foreman, Frank DeLooze (who I think was of Dutch descent) was married to Lilian Bowd. Another pal of mine, Albert Clemow, was a bodywork technician there. He later went into local politics and became the first Mayor of Warrington Unitary Authority. He sadly passed away a number of years ago.

[Peter Leel]

Some of the "lads from the panel shop" at A & B Motors..The Bleachworks in the background should date it! (Nice Jag!)

[radman]

Peter Alderman in 1971.

alderman.jpg

[steellam]

Some of the "lads from the panel shop" at A & B Motors..The Bleachworks in the background should date it! (Nice Jag!)

I have been following this thread with interest - I am more of a voyeur that a participant usually, however I will make an exception today as sat down middle right is my dad Bill Ellam who still works at his own body shop in Ashton that I run for him.

I suspect a fellow called Dave Rigby is one of the others, my dad will confirm and no doubt name the rest if anyone is interested.

Jack Dykes still pops in the garage every now and then for a chat, had a go of his electric bike round the car park not long ago

[Datsun Fantatic]

Thanks for the photos - do we have any of a Datsun line-up?

Here is another original A&B sticker this time in the windscreen - however has it lasted there for 40 years?

SV208372.JPG

[Paul Grimshaw]

Does anyone remember my dad Ernie Grimshaw who worked as a mechanic for A&B til 1972 at the garage near the viaduct. I remember he used to go and move Peter Alderman's car at his house while he (Peter) was on holiday to make it look as if there was someone at home. Also remember visiting my dad at the garage during the summer holidays and seeing Jaguars, Aston Martins and the like in the workshop. In the showroom was one of the first Volvo 145s (estate car) Ted Silcock (SIlcocks Fair) bought a couple of Volvos from A&B and my dad became good friends with him. I think Les Newton's wife had a sweet shop.

[kingfisher_61]

Hi, yes i remember Ernie very well, a nice chap and a fine mechanic, he started at A&B Cars after me, poss mid to late 63, i seem to remember he had served in the forces, is this correct ?
Regards Dave Bretherton.

[Paul Grimshaw]

Thanks for the reply. Yes my dad did his national service on the tanks and was stationed in Germany and did his apprenticeship at a garage (Robin Hood Garage) in A-in-M. He passed away in 1973 when I was 11. I had a lot of fond memories of him working at A&B.

[Paul Grimshaw]

Does anyone remember A&B Temple on the high street in Newton? It was a home brew shop. My dad and uncle were into home brew beer and wine and bought all the gear there. Was the shop an Alderman related business?

[kingfisher_61]

Thanks for the reply. Yes my dad did his national service on the tanks and was stationed in Germany and did his apprenticeship at a garage (Robin Hood Garage) in A-in-M. He passed away in 1973 when I was 11. I had a lot of fond memories of him working at A&B.

Jeez, your dad must have passed away quite young, thats very sad, i thought a lot of him.

[Paul Grimshaw]

Thanks for the reply. Yes my dad did his national service on the tanks and was stationed in Germany and did his apprenticeship at a garage (Robin Hood Garage) in A-in-M. He passed away in 1973 when I was 11. I had a lot of fond memories of him working at A&B.

Jeez, your dad must have passed away quite young, thats very sad, i thought a lot of him.

Thanks for that. I think he was 36.

[haselton]

Not been on Newton web site for a while. Read all the many replies re. A& B Motors. It was a landmark of Newton and a busy place. I was young and remember viewing a flashy Mini with black tinted windows at A&B, was told it was Peter Sellar's custom made mini, what a catch, couldn't afford it though. Also seem to remember Peter Alderman went for the speed record with the Volvo range by towing a 5th. wheel and reaching high speeds, 5th. wheels were not common in Britain at that time...? 1970. Other fond memory is filling up at the petrol station and getting half a dozen eggs as a promotion, very inventive. Would love to know more about the 5th wheel speed record.

[bob]

I think we looked at that some time back in this topic,
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=855
bob