Friday, February 10, 2017

C A Britten & Co (Liverpool) Ltd - Triumph car dealers 30

C A Britten & Co (Liverpool) Ltd of Liverpool are the subject of this article another in my series about  Triumph car dealers in the Liverpool area.
C A Britten & Co (Liverpool) Ltd advert from Motor 05-09-1956

Some history about C A Britten

Born in 1896 Charles Arthur Britten attended Pendleton Grammar School and then the School of Technology in Manchester. After an serving as an apprentice at Belsize Motors, Manchester and in the navy 1916/19 he returned to civilian life at Belsize Motors.

The firm was founded in 1922 by Charles Arthur Britten. and later became a private company in 1948.  Mr C A Britten became a fellow of the Institute of Directors in 1952.


The business became associated with of the Hollingdrake Automobile Co Ltd group, but continued to trade as C A Britten. Reference to the association was made in adverts from at least 1958 as can be seen above.

By the time the Triumph 2500TC was launched the firm was trading as Hollingbrake Limited.

The company was dissolved from 16 March 1979 according to records at Companies House. 

Show and Service Week


The 15th to 19th February 1965 saw a week long  Show and Service Week promotion by the firm at their Vauxhall Road premises assisted by staff from Standard Triumph HQ.

The 9th to 13th December 1968 saw a week long  Show and Service Week promotion by the firm at their Renshaw Street premises assisted by staff from Standard Triumph HQ.

Swallow Doretti and Bond dealer

 
C A Britten & Co (Liverpool) Ltd held the Swallow Doretti franchise. They also sold Bond cars.

Leylands carry church across Africa


Leyland 15 mobile church image 1
Leyland 15 mobile church image 1
It was reported in the Standard Triumph Review January 1965:
Of all the uses to which the adaptable Leyland 15 has been put none could be more unusual than that of three such vehicles recently in the news in Liverpool. These 15 cwts have been built as mobile churches and have been dispatched to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Makurdi in Northern Nigeria.

They are the gift of Liverpool millionaire chain store owner Mr. Frank H. Wilson, and were completed after he had heard of the problems of the missionaries in that part of Africa.

His informant was missionary Father Thomas Friery who was in the Northern city from Nigeria, and after a discussion on the type of church needed, Mr. Wilson suggested that three mobile churches would be better than one large one.

And the results - at a cost of £1,500 each - were the three beautifully fitted out vehicles handed over and blessed towards the end of last November. C A Britten and Co (Liverpool) Ltd, supplied the three chassis and cabs, and from that point the Murray Caravan Company, of Church Street, Orrell, Wigan, took over to make the additions which transformed the everyday, utilitarian vehicle into something quite uncommon.

Leyland 15 mobile church image 2 the interior
Leyland 15 mobile church image 2 the interior


The body is nine feet in length, just over six feet wide, and its height of seven feet six inches makes it easy for the missionary priest to administer three Masses each Sunday and others during the weekday.

Vestments and altar furnishings are stored in fitted cupboards, and the oak altar blends with the oak panelling which lines the interior. The pitched roof interior is of varnished pine, and the outside is left in unpainted aluminium to reflect the heat of the African sun. Rear doors open to reveal the altar, and a marquee unfolds to provide accommodation for a hundred worshippers.

All the windows in the bodywork are finished to simulate leading, and those in the rear doors are of traditional Gothic style.

Emphasising the varied nature of missionary work in Africa, the vehicles are fitted for adaption as ambulances or for educational purposes. They are provided with projectors and electric motors to drive them, and a cinema screen can be drawn down from the roof to convert each church into a small cinema.

Two bench seats run the length of the body, and all the necessary first-aid equipment, including stretchers, is provided.

The Leylands will serve a diocese as large as England and Wales, and soon they are to be joined by a fourth mobile church. Work on this is under way. thanks again to the generosity of Mr. Wilson, former air line chairman and Liverpool city alderman.

He has a standing offer to make up the amount for a similar church every time ten donations of £100 each are received "Contributions have been so encouraging that a further church is under construction and I've given orders for another three to be built", he has announced.

So it is that in Northern Nigeria the name of Leyland will be carrying far and wide the material evidence of Christian service and charity.

Traded under the name Brittens

The company legal name was C A Britten & Co (Liverpool) Ltd.  Many adverts featured the trading name Brittens.
Brittens Liverpool 1965 advert

Britten Liverpool 1965advert from Liverpool Echo

Brittens advert 11 November 1971
Brittens advert 11 November 1971

Triumph dealers in Liverpool

Here are the names and address details of Standard Triumph car dealers based in the city of Liverpool as listed in the various directories I have in my collection.

1951:
J. Blake & Co Ltd, Bold Street, Liverpool 1.
Johnson's Radio & Music Stores, 172 AlIerton Road, Liverpool 18
Kirby's Ltd, 45-61 Duke Street, Liverpool 1
Liverpool Radio Supplies Ltd, 74-76 Renshaw Street, Liverpool 1
James Smith & Son Ltd, Williamson Street, Liverpool l
W. Watson & Co. (Liverpool) Ltd, Oldham Street, Liverpool 1

October 1955:
C A Britten & Co (Liverpool) Ltd, 37/43 Renshaw Street, 1. 'Phone: Royal 4877/8.    Distributor
Works Dept.: 52/54 Vauxhall Road, 3. 'Phone: Central 4031/2.
J Hemmings & Sons Ltd, Hale. 'Phone 3121.
J B Hepburn Ltd, 48 Bridge Road, Blundellsands, 23. Phone: Gt. Crosby 4806.
Litherland Motors (Liverpool) Ltd., Hawthorne Road, 21. 'Phone: Waterloo 2484.
Meadows Automobiles Ltd., 159/161 Prescot Road, 7. 'Phone: Stoneycroft 6441.
A E Monks & Co. Ltd, Queen's Drive. 4. 'Phone: Aintree 3405
Owens & Davenport, 232 Aigburth Road. 17. 'Phone: Lark Lane 2918.
Pearsons of Liverpool, 3/5/7 Shaw Street, 6. 'Phone: North 1246/7/8.
Prouts (Liverpool) Ltd., 202/206 Breck Road, 5. 'Phone: Anfield 5522. •
Bob Sergent Ltd, Moorfields, 2. 'Phone: Central 7398.
Harry Sullivan Ltd, 123/125 Northumberland Street, 8. 'Phone 3828.
The West Coast Motor Co. Ltd, 113 Mulberry Street, 7. 'Phone: Royal 1919
R & R Weir Ltd, 3 Moor Lane, 23. 'Phone: Great Crosby 3041.

1959:
C A Britten & Co (Liverpool) Ltd, 37/43 Renshaw Street, 1. 'Phone: Royal 4877/8    Distributor
Works Dept.: 52/54 Vauxhall Road, 3. 'Phone: Central 4031/2.
Central Car Services Ltd, 40-46 Priory Road, 4. 'Phone: Anfield 1332.
J B Hepburn Ltd, 48 Bridge Road, Blundellsands, 23. Phone: Gt. Crosby 4806.
Litherland Motors (Liverpool) Ltd, Hawthorne Road, 21. 'Phone: Waterloo 2484.
Meadows Automobiles Ltd., 159/161 Prescot Road, 7. 'Phone: Stoneycroft 6441.
A E Monks & Co. Ltd, Queen's Drive. 4. 'Phone: Aintree 3405
Owen. & Davenport, 232 Aigburth Road, 17. 'Phone: Lark lane 2918.
Pearsons of Liverpool, 3/5/7 Shaw Street, 6. 'Phone: North 1246/7/8.
J N Rutter Ltd, Milton Street, 3. 'Phone: North 0611.
Bob Sergent Ltd, Moorfields, 2. 'Phone: Central 7398.
Harry Sullivan Automobiles. 136 Queens Drive, Childwall, 16. Phone: Childwa1l 2311.
Harry Sullivan Ltd, 123/125 Northumberland Street, 8. 'Phone 3828.
R & R Weir Ltd, 3 Moor Lane, 23. 'Phone: Great Crosby 3041.
West Coast Motor Co. Ltd, 113 Mulberry Street, 7. 'Phone: Royal 1918/9.

August 1961:
C A Britten & Co (Liverpool) Ltd, 37/43 Renshaw Street, 1.    Distributor
'Phone: Royal 4877/8/9.
Works Dept.: 52/54 Vauxhall Road, 3. 'Phone: Central 4031/2.
Central Car Services Ltd, 40-46 Priory Road, 4. 'Phone: Anfield 1332.
J B Hepburn Ltd, 48 Bridge Road, Blundellsands, 23. Phone: Gt. Crosby 4806.    24hrs
Litherland Motors (Liverpool) Ltd, Hawthorne Road, 21. 'Phone: Waterloo 2484.    24hrs
Meadows Automobiles Ltd, 159/161 Prescot Road, 7. 'Phone: Stoneycroft 6441.
A E Monks & Co. Ltd, Queen's Drive. 4. 'Phone: Aintree 3405    24hrs
Owen. & Davenport, 232 Aigburth Road, 17. 'Phone: Lark lane 2918.    24hrs
Pearsons of Liverpool, 3/5/7 Shaw Street, 6. 'Phone: North 1246/7/8.    24hrs
J N Rutter Ltd, Milton Street, 3. 'Phone: North 0611.            24hrs
Bob Sergent Ltd, Moorfields, 2. 'Phone: Central 7398.            24hrs
Harry Sullivan Automobiles. 136 Queens Drive, Childwall, 16. Phone: Childwa1l 2311.    24hrs
Harry Sullivan Ltd, 123/125 Northumberland Street, 8. 'Phone 3828.            24hrs
R & R Weir Ltd, 3 Moor Lane, 3. 'Phone: Great Crosby 3041.                24hrs
West Coast Motor Co. Ltd, 113 Mulberry Street, 7. 'Phone: Royal 1918/9.            24hrs

February 1965:
C A Britten & Co (Liverpool) Ltd, 37/43 Renshaw Street, 1. Phone: Royal 4877/8/9.    Distributor
Works Dept: 52/54 Vauxhall Road, 3. Phone: Central 4031/2.
Fazakerley Garage Ltd, 275 Longmoor Lane, 9. 'Phone Aintree 6733.
J B Hepburn Ltd, 48 Bridge Road North, 23. 'Phone Gt. Crosby 3913/14.
Litherland Motors (Liverpool) Ltd, Hawthorne Road, 21. 'Phone: Waterloo 2484
Macdonalds (West Derby) Garage, Eaton Road, 12. 'Phone Stanley 5139.
Meadows Automobiles Ltd, 159/167 Prescot R9ild. 7. 'Phone Stoneycroft 64011.
F Lellwellyn & Co. Ltd, 211 Aigburth Road. 17. 'Phone Lark Lane 5002,
Harry Sullivan Ltd, 123/125 Northumberland Street, 8. 'Phone Royal 3828.
West Coast Motor Co. Ltd, 113 Mulberry Street, 7. 'Phone Royal 1918.
Zed Motors Ltd, Cherry Lane, 4, 'Phone Stanley 1672.

September 1968:
C A Britten & Co (Liverpool) Ltd, 37/43 Renshaw Street, 1. Phone: Royal 4877/8/9.    Distributor
Works Dept: 52/54 Vauxhall Road, 3. Phone: Central 4031/2.
Cundies (Liverpool) Ltd, 7 Pembroke Place, 1. 'Phone Roy 6814.
Fazakerley Garage Ltd, 275 Longmoor Lane, 9. 'Phone Aintree 6733.
J B Hepburn Ltd, 48 Bridge Road North, 23. 'Phone Gt. Crosby 3913/14..
James Harry & Son (Liverpool) Ltd, 323-349 Edge Lane,  L7 9LF Tel 0151 228 4737/8
Litherland Motors (Liverpool) Ltd, Hawthorne Road, 21. 'Phone: Waterloo 2484
Macdonalds (West Derby) Garage, Eaton Road, 12. 'Phone Stanley 5139.
Meadows Automobiles Ltd, 159/167 Prescot R9ild. 7. 'Phone Stoneycroft 64011.
Otterspool Motors Ltd, 312 Aigburth Road, 17. 'Phone Lark Lane 2261.
Harry Sullivan Ltd, 123/125 Northumberland Street, 8. 'Phone Royal 3828.
West Coast Motor Co Ltd, 113 Mulberry Street, 7. 'Phone Royal 1918.

March 1972:
C A Britten & Co (Liverpool) Ltd, 66-72 Mill Lane, Liverpool, LT3 4DS. Tel 0151 228 0281    Distributor
Fazakerley Garage Ltd, 275 Longmoor Lane, L10 9DY. Tel 0151 525 6733 works 2973
J B Hepburn Ltd, 48 Bridge Road, LS23 6SL. Tel 0151 924 3913/14
James Harry & Son (Liverpool) Ltd, 323-349 Edge Lane,  L7 9LF Tel 0151 228 4737/8
Macdonalds (West Derby) Garage, Eaton Road, L12 9JJ Tel 0151 226 5139
H Woodward & Son Ltd, Altcar Works, Formby L37 8DP Tel 36 76121
Voss Motors (Waterloo) Ltd, 232 Aigburth Road, L69 1EH Tel 0151 727 5002

March 1974:
C A Britten & Co (Liverpool) Ltd, 66-72 Mill Lane, Liverpool, LT3 4DS. Tel 0151 228 0281    Distributor
Fazakerley Garage Ltd, 275 Longmoor Lane, L10 9DY. Tel 0151 525 6733 works 2973
J B Hepburn Ltd, 48 Bridge Road, LS23 6SL. Tel 0151 924 3913/14
James Harry & Son (Liverpool) Ltd, 323-349 Edge Lane,  L7 9LF Tel 0151 228 4737/8 Service 0151 220 2611/12
Macdonalds (West Derby) Garage, Eaton Road, L12 9JJ Tel 0151 226 5139
Voss Motors (Waterloo) Ltd, 232 Aigburth Road, L69 1EH Tel 0151 727 5002 Service 2261   

April 1979:
Heron 66-72 Mill Lane, Old Swan, Liverpool, L13 4DS    Distributor
B & K Motors Ltd, 308-310 Kensington, L7 2RN Tel 051 263 0661
Dutton-Forshaw (Merseyside) Ltd, Austin House, Hanover Street, L69 1EH Tel 051 709 9636 + Parts Centre at 22-26 Seel Street, L1 4BG Tel 051 709 0251
J B Hepburn Ltd, 48 Bridge Road, LS23 6SL. Tel 0151 924 3913/14
Harry James & Son (Liverpool) Ltd, 323-349 Edge Lane, L7 9LF Tel 051 228 4737

March 1988:
Charles Clark Liverpool, 308-10 Kensington, L7 2RN        Distributor   
Charles Clark Huyton, 34 Tarbock Road, Huyton, L36 5XW Tel 0151 480 5111
J B Hepburn Ltd, 48 Bridge Road, LS23 6SL. Tel 0151 924 3913/14
Currie Motors Liverpool, Long Lane Walton, L9 7HN
Livock & Edwards Ltd, 72-74 Coronation Road, Great Crosby L23 5RJ Tel 0151 924 6411

Plea for more information

If you have any more information or recollections about any of the Standard Triumph dealers in and around Liverpool including C A Britten & Co (Liverpool) Ltd please get in touch. I would like to see photos of window stickers, dealer badges or sill plates etc. I can be contacted via the comments to this post or on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/stephen.weblin

Further information and sources

Link to post about J B Hepburn Ltd

Link to the other articles in this series.

 Link to face book page: Triumph Car Dealers.

Link to my Triumph Car Dealers Flickr group which includes many photos of Standard Triumph garages etc from my collection and many other contributors .

I have a collection of Standard Triumph car dealer directories: http://vitessesteve.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/triumph-car-dealer-directories.html

Picture credits: Britten Liverpool 1965advert from Liverpool Echo posted to facebook by Alex Cain; Leyland 15 mobile church images from the Standard Triumph Review; Hollingbroke advert from http://www.historyworld.co.uk/; Triumph 2500TC brochure image from an eBay listing.

Saturday, February 04, 2017

J B Hepburn Ltd of Liverpool - Triumph Car dealer 30A

J B Hepburn Ltd sometimes simply called Hepburns are the subject of this article the first of several about Triumph car dealers in the Liverpool area.
Triumph 1300 advert by J B Hepburn Ltd
Triumph 1300 advert by J B Hepburn Ltd

Triumph 1300

Triumph 1300 owned by Will Parker
Triumph 1300 advert no2 by J B Hepburn Ltd
Triumph 1300 advert no2 by J B Hepburn Ltd
J B Hepburn Ltd dealer stamped memorandum
J B Hepburn Ltd dealer stamped memorandum

Service Van

Hepburns service van from 1969
Hepburns service van from 1969
Thanks to Ben Spears who shared this photo of his parts delivery van on facebook.

Hepburns 1st 4 quality

Hepburns branded cap
Hepburns branded cap
 Thanks to Ben Spears who shared this image of a Hepburns branded cap.

Rear window sticker

Hepburns of Crosby rear window sticker

 Hepburns of Crosby sticker on the rear window of Mini that now lives in Ontaro, Canada.

Key rings and fobs

A key fob branded to show the address and phone number for J B Hepburn Ltd.
A later version from the Rover Group era as used on a Triumph TR7.

Street View

J B Hepburn Ltd undated street view
J B Hepburn Ltd, was based at 48 Bridge Road, Blundellsands, Liverpool, the garage premises and several neighbouring buildings have been demolished and replaced with a block of flats.

Google Street View Bridge Road, Blundellsands, Liverpool July 2008
J B Hepburn Ltd, 48 Bridge Road, Blundellsands, Liverpool,

Football program advert

Like many other car dealers this firm placed adverts in football programmes. Here is an advert extracted from an Everton v Watford program from 1987.
Hepburns Ltd advert from 1987
Hepburns Ltd advert from 1987

Dealer address info

First listed in my directories in 1955 as: J B Hepburn Ltd, 48 Bridge Road, Blundellsands, Liverpool 23. Phone: Gt. Crosby 4806. Continuously listed through 1959 until 1974 editions. Also listed as a Austin Rover dealer in March 1988 and a Rover dealer in May 1991.

For much of the time the local Triumph distributor was C A Britten Ltd.

Plea for more information

If you have any more information or recollections about any of the Standard Triumph dealers in and around Liverpool including J B Hepburn Ltd please get in touch. I would like to see photos of window stickers, dealer badges or sill plates etc. I can be contacted via the comments to this post or on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/stephen.weblin

Further information and sources

Link to an article about C A Britten Ltd the Liverpool distributor.

Link to the other articles in this series.

Link to facebook page: Triumph Car Dealers.

Link to my Triumph Car Dealers Flickr group which includes many photos of Standard Triumph garages etc from my collection and many other contributors .

I have a collection of Standard Triumph car dealer directories: http://vitessesteve.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/triumph-car-dealer-directories.html

Picture credits: J B Hepburn Ltd dealer stamped memorandum image and Triumph 1300 photo from Will Parker; Triumph 1300 adverts by J B Hepburn Ltd from Ben Spears on facebook; 2J B Hepburn Ltd undated street view" and "J B Hepburn Ltd, 48 Bridge Road, Blundellsands, Liverpool," posted on http://forum.triumphdolomite.co.uk by benny; Rover era key fob photos from Kenny Mackenzie; Parts delivery van photo from Ben Spears; Hepburns Ltd advert from 1987 from MilesMcClagan on flickr; Hepburns branded cap photo shared by Ben Spears on facebook.