Historical question about Lotus Parts Dealers in Birmingham

[Europa74]

This is a question for the older folks buying Lotus Parts back in the late 1960's and up to 1976 in the Birmingham, UK area.
What was the name of the Lotus parts dealer, I believe on the Old Birmingham Road, near where Paul Matty is today but definitely Pre-Paul Matty and Pre M42.
I was buying parts from 1973 to 1976 from this particular Lotus parts specialist. I bought an Elan Chassis and a front body section plus numerous smaller parts during this three year period. I used to drive up from Stevenage Herts to this location. Very knowlegeable folks with a good stock of parts and possibly official Lotus parts dealers.
It's been bugging me as to whom I was dealing with.
Does anybody have a better memory than me.
Hope to hear from some folks,
Cheers,
Ray

[Seamus]

Yardley Wood?

[512BB]

I am curious as to why you did not drive south 10 miles, to Edgeware Ray, where you would have found the London Lotus Centre, in Ballards Lane?

Leslie

[RichardHawkins]

Ray,

In 1979 I bought a chassis from the Yardley Wood Service Station. Could this be the company you re looking for?

Richard Hawkins

[Europa74]

In response to Richard: I don't think it was a service station so possibly not. There was a small but high end car dealer a couple of doors down the street selling Ferrari's etc., probably used not new but I didn't ever check it out. I'm fairly certain it was on Old Birmingham Road and in a row of ~ 6 shops and it was the LH end shop. Entrance was down the side of the building into the parts area and when you went inside, the small counter was a few feet inside the door and the was a sloping ceiling to the right due to a stair case in the adjacent room. I have all these weird memories except for the name. I'm trying to see if I have any old paperwork but I think I possibly handed it in to the dealer when I sold the car. It was my daily driver for 5.5 years from summer of 1976 to the end of 1981.
Do you have any period photos of the Yardley Wood location?

In response to Leslie: Edgeware was 30+ miles in London traffic and the W Midlands was about 70 miles and took the same amount of time. The guy's in W Midlands were open Saturday mornings, very knowledgeable and helpful and had most things I needed in stock. In 1975 I moved workwise to the West Midlands so this was another reason for dealing with this unknown company.

[Europa74]

Thanks to Richard, Leslie and Seamus.
The more I think about this question; it is possible I was visiting Yardley Wood Service Station for the Lotus Parts. Does anybody have any period photos? Any idea when the roundabout was built as I do not remember it at all. I'm still looking for paperwork and I'll keep you posted. I have attached part of an article about the Lotus Europa that mentions Yardley Wood Service Station.
Cheers for now,
Ray

[ChrisElanS3]

Hi Ray,

I used Yardley Wood quite a lot. The chaps name at Yardley Wood was John Loynton (Very knowledgeable). I also would be interested in seeing any period photos of the YW.

I was using them during 1980's, not sure when they closed. Early/Mid 90's maybe?

Chris

[RichardHawkins]

Ray,

I still have the receipt for the chassis.

Yardley Wood Service Station
Proprietor John Loynton
1016 Yardley Wood Road
Birmingham
B14 4BW

Phone 021-474 4972

The receipt states authorised service dealers for Lotus and Lamborghini.

Hope this helps,

Richard Hawkins

[Europa74]

Thanks for all the help. I and others who responded to my initial question would be interested in any period photographs of the Yardley Wood Service Station area from the 1970's. So far nobody has managed to come up with any but we can always hope.
Regards,
Ray