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Beds Autocar, 10 The Broadway
© Bedfordshire and Luton Archives Service
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Your Story: Bedford’s Motoring Heritage |
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Bedfordshire Autocar Company
Sydney Crawley founded his new garage at 10 The Broadway in 1919, just after securing the Ford franchise for the Bedford area. 
Duke of Bedford and Ford Zodiac
© Courtesy of Alan and John Crawley |
The premises were rebuilt in 1933, complete with an electric lift to take cars to the first floor for display. A natural salesman, he was friendly with many famous entertainers, including the organist and broadcaster Reginald Dixon, to whom he supplied a Ford V8 in 1935.
The firm’s later celebrity contacts included John (Ian) Russell, the 13th Duke of Bedford (grandson of the Duke who held the first Bedfordshire registration) and the singing star Petula Clark. Sydney’s sons Alan and John Crawley succeeded him in the business, which was sold in 1969, but still trades from the same site (now C D Bramall).
Words: Richard Wildman & Alan Crawley
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