Forum Topic

CAR GIANT SITE

ANY BODY ANY IDEA WHAT THE CAR GIANT FACTORY WAS BEFORE IT WAS CAR GIANT IN SAY THE 50'S ?

Lesley Russell ● 5287d8 Comments

Wasn't it The Rolls Royce factory ??

Ellie Rose ● 5287d

I DON'T KNOW I WAS HOPING SOMEONE WOULD KNOW.

Lesley Russell ● 5287d

Husband has just confirmed that it was the Rolls Royce factory......

Ellie Rose ● 5287d

A little bit of research leads me to believe the Car Giant 'warehouse' was engineering works. I have found the following company -  E.N.V. Engineering Co., Ltd., Hythe Road, Willesden, London, N.W.10.- who appear to be there as late as 1969. In the early 20th century there was an engineering company making bakery and food manufacturing machines. I find no evidence of Rolls Royce though but there was the New Engine Company in 1919

Amanda Knights ● 5287d

Further research finds there was a Rolls Royce 'London Service Depot' in Hythe Road - so they serviced them, but didn't build them there. It was still there in 1983.

Amanda Knights ● 5286d

thank you both :O)

Lesley Russell ● 5286d

Just found a picture of the Car Giant site in 1890, when it was the factory of Joseph Baker and Son, who made large scale mixing and sifting machinery for the bakery trade. Joseph Baker was the father of William King Baker, who wrote a book on Acton's history in 1913 called “Acton, Middlesex”.Web address of the picture is http://www.bphs.net/EarlyHistory/BeforeWestwood/images/1896WlsdnFcty.jpgalso try http://www.bphs.net/EarlyHistory/BeforeWestwood/index.htm

Amanda Knights ● 5252d

I can also confirm that it was the Rolls Royce factory known as Mulliner Park Ward, as, very briefly in 1976, I worked there!I did my apprenticeship at nearby Park Royal Vehicles, and during my time I was "loaned" to them for a month. This was due to the shortages of skilled labour and the restricted workings of the three day week.Park Ward was the bespoke coachbuilder of Rolls Royce, whereas the factory in Crewe was regarded as the production/assembly line.

Neil Owens ● 5252d