LOOKING BACK: When Peterborough started motoring

Most of us are in love with our car and Peterborough was even recently revealed to be the country's most car-dependent city.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Feb 2016, 11:15 BST
Updated 17th Feb 2016, 05:49 BST
Filling station in Newark. Can you date it?Filling station in Newark. Can you date it?
Filling station in Newark. Can you date it?

But you can’t have a car without a garage and today’s pictures show some of the city’s early filling stations and workshops.

The first picture is of the filling station in Newark nd it looks almost idyllic. I doubt future generations will say that of today’s equivalents!

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Motorists had the choice of filling up with BP, Shell or Pratts – does anyone remember the latter?

What was this showroom called?What was this showroom called?
What was this showroom called?

The signage on the picture of the showroom is confusing. Was the showroom – which must have been one of the first in the city – called Vinco Motors? I know it was located in Westgate.

The next picture shows three proud chaps (of very differing heights!) standing outside Donald’s garage. Is this the same Donald’s garage which today is located in Burghley Road?

Do you know who the men were were?

I don’t know the name of the garage with people standing in front of the petrol pumps, but it was a supplier of Hillman cars. Petrolheads might be able to date it from the car parked at the front.

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Do you recognise these men?Do you recognise these men?
Do you recognise these men?

The final picture shows men at work at Laxton’s Garage, which was in Lincoln Road, with some very early motorbikes and cars.

If you have any information or memories about today’s pictures please get in touch.

Related topics:PeterboroughMotoristsPetrolheads