University Motors branch in Balham, southwest London

University Motors was a leading MG distributor in the 1960s and 70s with branches in Hanwell (west London), Epsom and Kingston in Surrey and Balham (south London). In the late 1960s they also had a showroom in Conduit Street in Central London where the V8 webmaster bought an MG Midget in 1968.

Robert Rose has an MGBGTV8 which was a personal export car, handled by the Balham branch.

See our other NEWS items on the University Motors' branches
Epsom branch
West End and Balham branches

Part of our "Looking back" series ahead of the 45th Anniversary of the launch of the MGBGTV8 in August 1973 and the 40th Anniversary of the formation of the V8 Register in October 1978. Looking back

Photos alongside: © City of London: London Metropolitan Archives.

Posted: 170226

1964 - Balham Constitutional Club, 209-211 Balham High Road, London SW17.
1969 - 209-211 Balham High Road, London SW17.

1969 - Barkers Motors London Limited, 209 Balham High Road, London SW17. Robert Rose says "this is a photo of Barkers Motors site which, after redevelopment, was to become University Motors Balham. It is difficult to see any continuity between this photo and the later one showing the UM site. However earlier photos, prior to it being established as Barkers Motors when it did not have a car related link, included some cobbled roadway which was still in existence many tears later at the front of UM Balham".

Early 1970s - Robert Rose has tracked down this photo of the University Motors branch in the High Road in Balham, London SW17. The Personal Export Delivery (PED) activities were handled by this branch in 1973. He says "this site was used by Barkers Motors (London) and was subsequently taken over by University Motors (date unknown). The UM Balham branch is listed in the 1972 British Leyland (Austin Morris) Directory of UK Dealers as both a Franchised Retail Dealer for Austin, Wolseley and MG cars and a Franchised Distributor for Morris, Wolseley and MG cars. Interestingly in the updated 1973 British Leyland publication, the Balham branch is no longer listed but the branch at 99 Boston Road in Hanwell is".