I started selling import parts in Morristown NJ in 72. We were
Beck/Arnley, Vera, Columbia distributors, who were the "aftermarket"
back then. (The only other aftermarket company was BAP or GEON, which
became BAP/GEON) We also were distributors for the OEMs, namely
Lucas, Bosch, Smiths, etc. Only slightly before my time, we were a
BMC parts distributor, without having any cars!
We sold to the new car dealers. Here was my delivery and sales route.
In Morristown, the dealer sold MG, Triumph, Jag, Alfa, Fiat, and I
recall new Jensens on the floor! In Denville/Dover was a dealer who
sold MG, Triumph, Datsun (boy, did the new Z car look good amongst
the Bs and Spitties.) Further down Rt 10 East was a Triumph dealer.
Only. Then down Bloomfield avenue past the best cheese cake emporium,
the Montclair Diner, to a Jaguar, MG, Triumph dealer, out to the
Garden State to Rte 22 back toward Westfield to a BMC dealer, no
Jags, just MG and Triumph, to Piscataway where I'd stop at Armstrong
Hydraulics to pick up loads of shocks, some of which would go to the
Land Rover dealer in Gladstone. About 150 miles a day in a 68 VW Bus
without seats.
There were an amazing number of specialists. Bills Pit Stop in
Montclair... only T series. Recon heads on the shelf. The Triumph
guy, frames ready hanging on the wall. We sold a LOT of Amco
accessories... a lot. Dealer installed. Tops, tonneaus as OE.
Overriders, you name it.
I have to say.... it was FUN, back then.
Frank and I were competitors, we think. I was NoJoisey, he was SoJoisey.
Peter C
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