Dees Ford Dealer South Croydon
A Memory of Croydon.
I purchased my first vehicle at Dees in 1959. I was twenty four and really wanted a car but the prices were high for used vehicles and the registration fees also. I went to Dees with my friend Graham (we met while working at Mullard in Mitcham) and one of the the employees told us they had some used vans for sale. In those days the registration fees for vans was a lot lower than a regular car.
We were directed to a location about a mile away where Dees had a body shop and a storage area. On arrival we discovered they had a lot of used Thames vans for sale. Apparently there was some sort of contract with the Singer Sewing machine company whereby they exchanged their vehicles annually for new units. As a result Dees had a lot of vans for sale, in some cases with low mileage. We bought one each. Only problem was the color, a light green which I called 'vomit green'! I managed to negotiate a respray, two colors, and installation of windows in the rear doors for a total price of five pounds!
Three speeds with a crash first gear and a side valve engine designed in the thirties but it was my first vehicle and I enjoyed it more than probably any other vehicle since. The registration was TOY 940. Quite appropriate.
I last saw Graham Quiney in 1964 or 65 at his bachelor party. Hope he has had a great life, he was a good friend. I wonder where he is now?
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