Author Topic: Blue Star Garages  (Read 13566 times)

richard

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Blue Star Garages
« on: October 15, 2014, 08:08:16 PM »
what do we know of this company ? Back in the day they were quoted as being the largest chain of garages in Britain and were sole concessionaires for Powerdrive and Coronet Cars . Anything else ?
outside of a dog a book is mans best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read .Groucho Marx 1895-1977

marcus

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Re: Blue Star Garages
« Reply #1 on: October 15, 2014, 08:55:37 PM »
I don't know anything for sure but wonder if it is connected with Blue Star shipping line. I sailed to Uruguay on the Blue Star liner Argentina Star.

Also that address is probably at the west end of the road and I wonder if it is where Bristol Cars opened their London showroom, used to pass it daily.
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Bob Purton

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Re: Blue Star Garages
« Reply #2 on: October 16, 2014, 09:57:55 AM »
They were sued by the Vehicle and general insurance co in 1975.

Here's one in 1962.
« Last Edit: October 16, 2014, 10:08:30 AM by Bob Purton »

richard

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Re: Blue Star Garages
« Reply #3 on: October 16, 2014, 10:31:15 AM »
Yep I saw that on www but nothing about court cases , do we know what it was concerning ? Any other connections to microcars at all ?
« Last Edit: October 16, 2014, 10:43:52 AM by richard »
outside of a dog a book is mans best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read .Groucho Marx 1895-1977

Rob Dobie

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Re: Blue Star Garages
« Reply #4 on: October 16, 2014, 12:26:30 PM »
Looks like the usual council workers in the 1960s. All standing about doing nothing. One missing, making the tea I expect.  ;D
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richard

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Re: Blue Star Garages
« Reply #5 on: October 16, 2014, 01:03:29 PM »
By memory when I saw that pic online it was the last stages of refitting or building a new site so I guess Blue Stars own crew this time . I wonder whether there were claims against them due to the Powerdrives / Coronets ?
outside of a dog a book is mans best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read .Groucho Marx 1895-1977

Rusty Chrome (Malcolm Parker)

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Re: Blue Star Garages
« Reply #6 on: October 17, 2014, 01:11:24 AM »
It appears that the motoring side of the business was gradually divested and sold off during the 1960s and early 70s until whoever controlled it's nominal remains got involved in Portsmouth Football Club in the late 1990's. When the football club got into serious financial difficulties, Blue Star Garages owed lots of money to the people who'd been rebuilding the stadium for them and the company was wound up.

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plas man

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Re: Blue Star Garages
« Reply #7 on: October 18, 2014, 03:37:07 PM »
the mention of a Coronet in the OP , reminded me I've still got the bonnet badge of my old car , bit heavy for the available power , but spares was easy at the time (A30/5 ?)'

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marcus

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Re: Blue Star Garages
« Reply #8 on: October 18, 2014, 03:48:22 PM »
Wondering further about any relationship between Blue Star Garages and Blue Star Line: they both use the same blue star as a logo, and this would presumably have been a Registered Trade Mark. if the companies were not related, the Registry might well have said they were too similar for unrelated companies to use. Likewise the name "Blue Star" would need to be approved by Companies House. Normally different companies will be refused Trade Marks and Names if they are too close to existing ones, unless they are in clearly different businesses, say Baking and Plumbing equipment.

Shipping and Motoring might have both been classed as "Transport" and therefore the Blue Star name and logo might only have been grantable if the companies were part of one group, and therefore not in competition or any conflict of interest.
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richard

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Re: Blue Star Garages
« Reply #9 on: October 18, 2014, 04:49:17 PM »
i can't see any mention of a connection Marcus though perhaps nowadays it might cause a problem
outside of a dog a book is mans best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read .Groucho Marx 1895-1977

richard

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Re: Blue Star Garages
« Reply #10 on: October 19, 2014, 07:36:04 PM »
another great pic from flikr but no logo - any comments
outside of a dog a book is mans best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read .Groucho Marx 1895-1977

marcus

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Re: Blue Star Garages
« Reply #11 on: October 19, 2014, 07:41:11 PM »
Lovely photo!
Just remember: as one door closes behind you, another slams in your face

richard

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Re: Blue Star Garages
« Reply #12 on: October 19, 2014, 07:56:52 PM »
last one but a good 'un i think . 1958 apparently
« Last Edit: October 19, 2014, 07:58:24 PM by richard »
outside of a dog a book is mans best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read .Groucho Marx 1895-1977

marcus

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Re: Blue Star Garages
« Reply #13 on: October 19, 2014, 08:22:43 PM »
Nice one! I have vague memories of petrol stations like that.
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Bob Purton

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Re: Blue Star Garages
« Reply #14 on: October 19, 2014, 10:39:46 PM »
Whats it got to do with microcars?