Records of Andersons (Newton Mearns) Ltd, car dealers, Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire, Scotland

Reference
- GB 248 UGD 150
Dates of Creation
- 1899-1980
Name of Creator
- Andersons (Newton Mearns) Ltd (car dealers: 1832-1980: Newton Mearns)
Physical Description
- 3.7 metres
  There are no physical characteristics or technical requirements that affect the use of this material.

Scope and Content

Minute books 1930-1979
Balance sheets 1955-1973
Ledgers 1910-1976
Purchase day book 1951-1961
Journal 1952-1966
Cash books 1951-1961
Accounts 1926-1969
Bank account records 1908-1973
Sales records 1936-1970
Wages and salaries records 1942-1969
Correspondence 1899-1980
Agreements 1935-1967
Car delivery books 1958-1964
Car books 1919-1958
Workshop records 1950-1979
Presscuttings 1959-1975
Garage plans 1951-1971

Administrative / Biographical History

William Anderson established the firm of William Anderson , coal merchant and contractors, in 1832 at premises at Thornliebank, East Renfrewshire, Scotland. The firm remained in the hands of the family after the death of William Anderson. In 1895 , new premises were acquired at Speirsbridge, near Thornliebank. Robert Anderson (d1937) ran the company from the 1840s. As keen cyclist, he moved into selling and repairing bicycles and in 1904 the company sold its first motorcar, a 10/20 Coventry Humber for £358. In 1902 , he acquired further premises at Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire, which he operated as Robert Anderson , bicycle repairers and garage. The William Anderson coal company was retained as a separate concern and operated under its original name until 1930.

The Newton Mearns site became the firm's main garage premises, although a second garage was acquired at Giffnock, East Renfrewshire, in 1915 . In 1930 the business was incorporated as a limited liability company, Andersons (Newton Mearns) Ltd . Robert Anderson's son, James, was responsible for building the "Anderson's Specials" of the 1920s. There were 4 car models available with a variety of chassis, suspensions and power units, the most famous being the 'Bug'. The first Anderson Special was built in 1922 and was torpedo shaped with a space frame built up from light mild steel angle to carry units and panels. The power units for the 'Bug' varied but it finished up with 2 Austin 7 engines side by side.

In 1947 the company ceased its operations as coal merchants and contractors. The company was a dealer for Rootes (later Chrysler) Cars and operated a machine tool shop between 1947 and 1960 . In Andersons (Newton Mearns) Ltd 1980 went into voluntary liquidation.

Source: David Arthur,'Mearns History Group: Anderson's of Newton Mearns Ltd' ,The Mearns Press(November 2001)

Arrangement

This material is arranged into series, which consist of numbers of items related by format and/or function. Within series, the items are generally arranged chronologically.