Mercedes-Benz Finchley Road

[jeremytaylor]

One of my strongest memories from my childhood was being driven past Alan Day Mercedes-Benz Finchley Road, on the occasional trip up to London with the family, probably over 35 years ago now. In those days Mercs were really something special, and the type of car we just didn't see out in the sticks where we lived. I remember thinking how oppulent the whole place looked and special the cars were. They just reeked of solid engineering with the style that only 60's or 70's Mercs had.

How times change!

I drove past this morning, and whilst I knew it had closed down, it was a very sad and dejected-looking place. A bare showroom where once elegant carriages had sat proudly, with their three-pointed stars atop a solid chrome grille. Soon the new owners will move in and the few remaining signs of the premises former glory will be gone, with only childhood memories remaining.

Almost brought a tear to my eye.

 

[PaulE230]

thats a shame

 

[nickg]

hopefully they will knock the building down and rebuild it - bit of a mess these days.

 

[jaymanek]

Jeremy i felt the same when i drove past it, its such a sad sight..

 

[PaulE230]

I love those Touareg's one of the best looking cars on the roads

 

[gurpz]

Seems unfortunate, if anyones passing by there anytime please take a pic of the dealers location I would like to see how it looks now

 

[portzy]

Seems unfortunate, if anyones passing by there anytime please take a pic of the dealers location I would like to see how it looks now

I think what you just said there gurpz is a good idea for a new forum sub-section. Just think, we could have an ''Old Dealers Gallery'', sort of ''look whats happened to it now'' type thing.

Not just MB but any old dealers premises that have a certain affection, childhood or otherwise. My local British Leyland place now sells bathroom tiles .

Portzy.

 

[Swiss Toni]

My local British Leyland place now sells bathroom tiles .

Portzy.

Cracked and porous? (Just like the BLs that used to be there?)

 

[television]

One of my strongest memories from my childhood was being driven past Alan Day Mercedes-Benz Finchley Road,

He was one of my old school friends, just a secondary modern where many millionaires were created. 30% of us went self employed, could have been the effects of the war and opertunities that came about just 5 years after the war finnished

 

[ADY1983]

Seems unfortunate, if anyones passing by there anytime please take a pic of the dealers location I would like to see how it looks now

Not a Problem my brother lives right opposite the old showroom...:bannana:

 

[gurpz]

cheers and thanks

 

[splang]

'tis a shame indeed....

 

[A-AvantGarde]

'tis a shame indeed....

True, I have really fond memories of 'Alan Day, Finchley Road' . Seeing the dealership served as a reminder that we'd arrived in London after a 3+ hour drive from Liverpool. In fact it was seeing those cars behind the glass that made me as an 8 year old yearn to own a Merc.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Not MB but I have similar feelings towards the former premises of Irmscher UK - the Vauxhall tuning people.

I used to pass it every Saturday when I was a little lad, and I remember seeing a white Opel Manta i400 in the window for what seemed like a lifetime, with a child-size version beside it. I so wanted that car.

Here I am 25 years older the proud owner of a white Opel Manta i400. I wish!! Ended up with a silver Merc, and the premises are now a Valet and Tyre Centre!!

Here's an i400 to remind you...

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

PS I too would be interested to see a photo of the Alan Day dealership - would be intriguing to see a similar pic from it's glory days.

 

[gurpz]

PS I too would be interested to see a photo of the Alan Day dealership - would be intriguing to see a similar pic from it's glory days.

I doubt anyone would have a picture back from the glory days when it was up and running or would they ?

 

[Sam Lister]

Are there any more MB dealerships that are no longer is use?, In my area only Wakefield's still there

 

[crockers]

I think there are quite a few dotted around - hasnt MB tried to take distribution more in house? We had DickLovett down here as our MB dealer - they were great - latest is OK but not in their customer service league....Now a Ferrari and Masserati dealership....(also has Porsche and BMW franchises around the area)

 

[nick mercedes]

Are there any more MB dealerships that are no longer is use?, In my area only Wakefield's still there

It's all dealer groups these days, MB own most if not all of the London and Greater Manchester ones, Inchcape and Sytner are big players too.

 

[A-AvantGarde]

It's all dealer groups these days, MB own most if not all of the London and Greater Manchester ones, Inchcape and Sytner are big players too.

Drayton Group also have quite a few Mercedes dealerships.