Newcastle Motor Trades in the 1970s

The car business in Newcastle was always a thriving one, never more so than at it's height in the 1970s, when the boomer youth reached driving age. By then old Fords and Holdens that were made in Australia were becoming plentiful and affordable.

This gallery of mostly car yards overflowing with used and new cars is a snapshot of the region early in that golden decade, when big sixes and V8s replaced the quaint old Pommie imports of the 50s.

It was also the time when the Japanese de facto invasion had begun, that we petrol heads discourteously referred to as "rice boxes" - even as their high-tech power plants burned off our old clunkers at the lights. And no self-respecting young rev-head wanted any old Pommie product - except maybe a Mini Cooper.

Good times.

These images are from a collection of commercial shoots and sadly lack many advertisers that were household names back then. But at least some is better than none, right?

Alf Jones Alfa Romeo

Then Alf went SAAB. Not sure I've ever seen that done before.

Auto Salvage Center (aka Lake Macquarie Auto Wreckers?).

Almost certainly 48 Pendlebury Road Cardiff.

Auto-Trans - Automatic transmission servicing.

Parry Street between Stewart Avenue and National Park Street. (Thx Rob, for this and other addresses below :0)

Balcomb Industries P/L

Where most cars end their days, so guess it belongs here.

Below: Where to park is determined by where the least number of RSJ's have fallen recently. (Sorry, also, pic is mirror-reverse - will fix later)

Belmont Caravans

Bennetts of Islinton

Cardiff Motors

Central Brake Service

61 Parry Street, between Stewart Avenue and National Park Street (per Rob)

Cross Roads Chrysler ~ Cars were colourful back in the 70s.

David's Car Sales

Davies Ford

Famously visible on the highway at Charlestown, corner of Pacific Highway and Smith Street.

Deloraine Chrysler

Every photo has a useful detail. Through the windscreen we see 156 Maitland Road, Mayfield. Deloraine was where Coles is now.

Doug Norton

Below: This was included with the others. An earlier photo where the Toyota sign resembles an original Japanese style.

Dunlop Tyre Service

Any idea where?

FYI, below is the orignal condition most of the negatives in this collection. The good ole magenta tint. Amazing that near-original colouring can be retrieved, and the colour information is still in there in proportion.

Freedom Cycles

It's so "Belmont" but I can't prove it. Possibly where Hadly Cycles now live.

Highway Motors

ISP aka Islington Spare Parts

Kloster Ford

Look at the colours of those cars. Today traffic is just sea of white and grey.

Kloster Kotara

Lifeguard Tyres

"Lifeguard Tyres" is the corner of King & National Park St. Rob

Above: Where is that?. "Lifeguard" in Maitland Rd Mayfield (West from Nile St & northern side). Rob"
Below: Whatever your core trade, you weren't a serious motor-related business unles you stocked extractors for a big six, and Lukey ("leaky") mufflers.

Mal Grant Auto Spares

Maybridge Motorchange

McLeod, Kelso & Lee

In this series there's a story being told. The message is clear. And he seems to be awaiting the invention of mobile phones.

A third series shows regional car yards. Anyone's guess where? The 4th down is beside Overland City caravans, that is thought to be at Heatherbrae.

Newcastle Automobile Exchange. 

183 King Street, later to become Tower Cinema (thx Rob - could not have placed it!)

Colour film stock damage. They've moved up King Street to the corner of Perkins Street, at number 135. This is a later shoot, probably for colour TV

Norm Fraser Motorcycles

NSW Motors

Overland Caravans

Aka Overland Caravan Camper City - Where, anyone? Heatherbrae seems likely.

Peter Langwill Autos

An odd series, and unfortunately incomplete. Is the drive-in theatre Metro Gateshead?

Robertson Bros

Spic N Span Cart Detailers

Tool Specialists

T R Bennett

Trigg's Motors Toronto

Young and Green Hamilton

69 Tudor Street. The pub is still there, too.

Young and Green Hunter Street

Almost certain that's the Palais Royale up the street. Y&G around 700 Hunter St, where the ibis is. (?)

Young and Green (Unknown group 1)

Can you ID it? Railway crossing will help. A reader comments "Young and green group 1 possibly at Toronto Carey & James Sts" ~ for which, many thanks.

Young and Green (Unknown group 2)

Can you ID it? Caltex servo will require long memory.