I was there in 72/73 and I remember a Gordon who was the workshop foreman and a very good water polo player. Bob Johnson on this forum was also at Smithfield and he is the man to ask.
I remember Gordon. I used to bump into Gordon usually around Christmas time whilst shopping in Sutton Coldfield town centre.
I've forgotten his surname. I still remember that sort of hut at the end of the workshop where Gordon in the blue overalls and the manager (I've forgotten his name!) in a gray dustcoat were based. Two smashing blokes.
Gordon Hodges and Brian ?. Funny how names come back. I agree, two nice blokes.
Gordon Hodges. Thanks very much Bob. Regards Vic
I think there was a Roger Cartwright who worked in the body shop.
Thanks for the reply, only thing I know is he was good friends with a man named Gordon who he drove to work with. And that he was the first to work on the Audi Quattro.
Yes. Gordon was the workshop foreman, I remember him well.
Hi Bob, sorry to bother you again, just wondering if you could help. I’m still researching moderator edit. ... my dad Roger moderator edit..... at Smithfield. Do you know what jobs he would have done in the work shop moderator edit .............. ?
To be honest the smell of the dust didn’t bother us similar to the clouds of blue and white diesel exhaust fumes was just part of the job way before exhaust extraction and washing of brake components.
At least Smithfield supplied barrier cream for the hands. Pink stuff called Rozalex? I always used it and I was only in the stores. If I remember correctly not many garages supplied it. No latex gloves in those days !
I still use Swarfega and sand. Very effective. If I remember correctly Smithfield also had, by the standard of the day, very good washing facilities and the workshop had excellent equipment. I do not remember ever seeing a mechanic having to lie on the floor using axle stands unlike some garages I worked at.
Most main agents like Smithfield had good facilities but you have to remember that many of the smaller garages couldn’t afford to offer such good working conditions as they charged far lower labour rates and still do.
Yes, I worked in some places where clouds of paint used to drift through the workshop and where electrical leads were plugged into wall sockets with matchsticks but that's the way it was then. You've reminded me just how many small garages there were in those days. Where did you work in those days? Which make of spanners did you prefer? You mentioning labour rates has prompted me to ask you all your opinion of the bonus system for mechanics. I know it was used at Smithfield and some mechanics were in favour but some said it encouraged not doing some tasks fully like not removing brake drums to check the condition of cylinders and shoes and blowing out brake dust.
I started at Ryland Garage 1960 for 4 years, Stockland coaches for 3 years, Tommy Baumber but on contract to Esso then Finally Shell Mex & BP/Shell in various locations doing various jobs Retired 1996 at 50. Bedford Vanadium and Britool. Started with the cheaper then finished with Britool. Had the hex socket set to start with then the 1/2” britool later felt like the poor relative but you always bought your own hand tools. Hope i’m not going too much of thread again Admin please let me know if I am.
Do you know the name of Smithfield's Renault dealership please? I'm told it was in Marston Green.
From my days at Serck Services, if my memory serves me right, it was simply Marston Green Garage in the mid 70's then became a bodyshop only? Renault franchise moved to the garage at Bacons End / Cooks Lane in Chelmsley Wood. Long time ago!
OK. Thanks very much.
If you go on to Facebook, you will find some ex employees on there.
Smithfield sold the Marston Green site in the summer of 1977 to Cheylesmore Garage of Coventry, but, they still had a garage in Warwick Rd Solihull called Broad Oaks Garage, John.
I think I must have heard the name Broad Oaks all those years ago. Thanks for the info.