J. Hollingsworth Ltd - Ford agent.
Les has sent over many photographs over the last few years, and with them this set of four pictures, showing a Ford car and van dealership (or sales agency as they were usually called), located in Hastings, trading under the name of J. Hollingsworth Limited. The first photograph, probably the latest of this set, shows the dealership in the early 1960s, still with two forecourt petrol pumps situated either side of the central windows, supplying Regent motor spirit to passing motorists. Two examples of 105E Anglia can be seen through the dealership's windows.
This first photograph makes for an interesting comparison to the next image featured here, which shows an advertisement for J. Hollingsworth in a much earlier time, probably the 1940s. The frontage of the building is very similar, with just differences in the signage and stock in view. The second building in this advert seems to show a servicing workshop, also part of the same business. As well as motor fuel supplies, the company was also an agent for India tyres it would seem. Two addresses are given, one on Braybrooke Road, and the other on Havelock Road, Hastings.
The third photograph gives a clearer view of the workshop building, itself having a fine selection of petrol pumps on the forecourt (three Regent plus a lone Shell pump). Several enamel signs adorn the building, including one for Tecalemit, and two others confirming the garage's AA & RAC approved status. Two Fordson 5cwt vans and a lone 103E Ford Popular are visible in this photo.
Finally, a great photograph of their own service vans, comprising two 5cwt Fordson E04C vans, and a lone 10cwt E83W van in the middle (an early example, non-beaded edge front wings and small Butler headlamps). The signwriting on the nearest Fordson van illustrates that this agency could also handle the sale and service of the popular Fordson tractor range too.
And what of these two Ford dealership buildings now??
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| All that remains of the workshop location in Braybrooke Road, as of 2008 before the site is cleared. |
What do these buildings look like now - do they survive? a quick search online brings up details of a Ford dealership of this name trading in Bexhill on Sea, so whether this is related to the business featured here I'm not sure.
A search for garages on Braybrooke Road brings up mention of a proposed Gypsy/Traveller's site on this former garage location (2007), and also a proposed housing development on the same site (dated 2008). Further digging even brought up this sad image, of the remains of the Braybrooke Road site once the building had been demolished. As for the Havelock Road premises, I wasn't able to find out anything about how it looks now, although I did find mention of another motoring business located on the same road in the 1930s and 1940s, named Greenhalf Motors, and set up by a former coachbuilder at Hollingsworths - more about that business on this site.
Return to Old Vehicle Photos Page 6.
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