Help with tracking down my car’s original dealer.

[tobias6]

As the title suggests, I’d like to know what the original dealer of my car was so I can get some more authentic looking plates done when the bodywork is finished.

The first page of my service booklet is stamped ‘NORMAND’, BUT, it’s not the well known Normand of Park Lane, it’s

NORMAND (CITY OF LONDON) LTD.
THAMES EXCHANGE
72 UPPER THAMES STREET
LONDON EC4R 3TA

With subsequent services completed by Bradshaw Webb of Chelsea.

The only online trace of Normand City of London was from a 1984 newspaper clipping.

Does anyone know if Normand City of London is the same as Normand Park Lane? Was the former an office and the latter a showroom perhaps?

Thanks!

 

[markjay]

Interestingly, there's an Alan Day dealership at that address today, and Alan Day used to be a Mercedss Benz dealer for many years up to around 25 years ago. I wonder if that's a coincidence?

I'm sure you've Googled it already, but I also found them (Normand) listed here:

https://www.motormouse.com/dealer index/tx-mercedes.htm

 

[John N]

As the title suggests, I’d like to know what the original dealer of my car was so I can get some more authentic looking plates done when the bodywork is finished.

The first page of my service booklet is stamped ‘NORMAND’, BUT, it’s not the well known Normand of Park Lane, it’s

NORMAND (CITY OF LONDON) LTD.
THAMES EXCHANGE
72 UPPER THAMES STREET
LONDON EC4R 3TA

With subsequent services completed by Bradshaw Webb of Chelsea.

The only online trace of Normand City of London was from a 1984 newspaper clipping.

Does anyone know if Normand City of London is the same as Normand Park Lane? Was the former an office and the latter a showroom perhaps?

Thanks!
View attachment 167187
View attachment 167186

What do you want to add to your plates to make it "Authentic" ?

 

[SpikyMikey]

Normand City of London seem to have been dissolved in around 2007, although at the time, company secretary and director were listed as Inchcape Corporate.

 

[markjay]

According to this, the Park Lane and the City of London locations are indeed both part of the same group:

x.com

x.com

 

[markjay]

What do you want to add to your plates to make it "Authentic" ?

My guess is that the OP wants to replicate the same look as the original plate (and plate holder) had.

 

[tobias6]

What do you want to add to your plates to make it "Authentic" ?

There's a few outfits that will produce plates with the period correct typeface and dealer logos, it's a small detail but make the car look a lot more original in my opinion. And it's all road legal I believe.

for example - https://www.instagram.com/retroplates/?hl=en

Thanks for the responses everyone.

 

[markjay]

There's a few outfits that will produce plates with the period correct typeface and dealer logos, it's a small detail but make the car look a lot more original in my opinion. And it's all road legal I believe.

for example - https://www.instagram.com/retroplates/?hl=en

Thanks for the responses everyone.

So all you need really is a period photo of a Mercedes Benz from that era with plates provided by the supplying dealer Normand City of London?

 

[tobias6]

So all you need really is a period photo of a Mercedes Benz from that era with plates provided by the supplying dealer Normand City of London?

That would be the jackpot yes

 

[ALFAitalia]

 

[tobias6]

View attachment 167219

Well well well

Thank you !

 

[Smart320]

I never cease to be amazed with how much information and help can be found on this forum . Interesting just to read it even if it’s of no use to me

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

View attachment 167219

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I’ve known “old” logos and type faces for the dealer name specifically to be added, but if my understanding is correct then new plates can only feature the current font for the registration number itself, and must feature the maker’s post code. Of course “show plates” can overcome both things, and may never be detected. I’m sure someone will confirm regarding legality.

 

[markjay]

View attachment 167219

As far as I can see from the logo in the lower right hand corner, these plates were made by:

Hills Numberplates Ltd

Hills are the UK market leader in the manufacture of number plates, we also lead the field in the supply of number plate components to the automotive industry. Founded in 1927, Hills are a great British manufacturing success story situated in the heart of Birmingham and demonstrate our...

hillsnumberplates.com

"For more information or help with placing an order you can contact our friendly Order Team on 0121 623 8050, option 1 or email [email protected] "

 

[ALFAitalia]

I’ve known “old” logos and type faces for the dealer name specifically to be added, but if my understanding is correct then new plates can only feature the current font for the registration number itself, and must feature the maker’s post code. Of course “show plates” can overcome both things, and may never be detected. I’m sure someone will confirm regarding legality.

True....but " these plates have been on the car since new" officer!

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

As an ex City boy, my memory is that Normand owned both City and Mayfair, got sold to Inchcape, which then got sold to Group1.

I think I went into Normand branches on Lower Thames St and behind Bishopsgate.

Some say Inchcape was an Asset Stripper but who am I to comment on that?

.