With another members’ coffee morning upon us, we had two more fascinating speakers, Morrison Sutherland and David Mackie. David’s talk is the subject of the next blog post.
Morrison, one of our older members, spoke about his career in the motor trade. He received his secondary schooling at Hutchesons’ Grammar School, from September 1941, he left in 1947 to train as an auditor. However, in September 1949, he went to work for his Uncle Harry at Queens Garage, in Pollokshaws Road at the junction with Nithsdale Drive. It had been founded in May 1927 as The Commercial Tyre Service Company (garage proprietors, and manufacturers and hirers of motor vehicles).
Talking to Morrison after the talk I showed him photos of the Queens Garage that he was not aware of.

I also found a quote relating to their very successful Parts Department: By the time I was old enough to drive, McConnachies had changed to Eaglesham Motors and were no longer a Vauxhall dealership. I owned a couple of Vauxhalls and bought my spares from Queens Garage, the head of the parts department was Cathy Sharkie who went to school with my father so I got trade prices for all parts required. (Pistonheads).
A year later National Service beckoned, and the next 3 years were spent in the RAF. In 1952, it was back to the garage, and 3 years later, he was made a director and essentially was managing the company. They had been selling Morris cars in the 1950s, and the selling of new cars had become quite slow, so an approach was made to Vauxhall who were wanting to expand in the south side of Glasgow. This resulted in them selling Vauxhalls from the early 1960s. It was a wise decision as they trebled their new car sales in the first year.
Through his contacts in the trade, Morrison had become good friends with a certain Arnold Clark, who had also been in the RAF. Arnold Clark Automobiles was founded when a young Arnold Clark left the Royal Air Force and used his demob money to buy a Morris Ten Four for just £70. After restoring the car to its former glory, he sold it on for a profit, and from there, he began to buy and sell cars. He soon opened the first Arnold Clark showroom in Glasgow ‘s Park Road. Queens Garage became one of many garages acquired as Arnold’s empire expanded and jumping forward, in the 1990s, the good will, property and stock of the business were sold when Morrison retired.
Back to the ‘60s, there were soon 4 directors, 2 actively working in the business. Through a separate venture, Morrison opened a carpark in Egliington Street, which was very successful and enabled him to buy out the non-working directors.
In 1960, Morrison was asked to appear on STV and BBC Radio to discuss the introduction of the MOT test on a regulated basis from February 1961, as a result of having become the spokesperson for the SMTA. He was well prepared because he had attended the ‘Robin Day School for Broadcasting’. He was then invited by Barbara Castle, Minister of Transport, to look at the future of MOT testing. Fred Mulley, the MP for Sheffield Park, later to be Minister of Transport, was quoted as saying “We can’t afford it, thanks”.
In 1964 he was elected to the council of the SMTA, an independent, member owned trade organisation, with at the time 1250 members. To quote their website: When faced with the need to change and meet new regulations and processes our membership relies on the backing of a robust trade association ensuring that they are represented at every level of government, in Scotland, in Westminster and in Brussels. In 1969, as president of the SMTA, Morrison had to address a banquet of 500 at the opening of the Motor Show.
At that point, Morrison´s time ran out, so we were left on tenterhooks as to what happened next.

Morrison Sutherland, at the age of 90 with the original picture.
New members are always welcomed at the Club. If you are 50 or over, retired, or nearing retirement, (men only, I’m afraid, dear ladies) you can attend three meetings as a guest and find out what a relaxed and friendly time we have. That’s plenty of time to decide whether to become a Club member or not. Please check out our programme and then use our Contact Form if you wish to attend as a guest, or to enquire about joining.
Largs Probus Club will next meet on Wednesday 9th April at 10:00am within the Willowbank Hotel, when Alex McKinnon will speak on Physics and Ben Nevis.