WHERE IT ALL STARTED
1945 will be remembered for a number of reasons, most poignantly the end of the 2nd world war. But 1945 is also remembered for another reason and that is the beginning of Sinclair Garages. This is how it all started:
It was in 1945 that Bill Sinclair, Gerald Sinclair’s father returned to Wales after serving with the RAF in India. Bills wife and young family were evacuated from London and located to Port Talbot during the war. Bill Sinclair was a mechanic by trade and whilst waiting to return to London he took up repairing the few cars that were around at the time.
Two local friends and car owners managed to persuade Bill Sinclair to set up home and business in Wales rather than return to his home in London. He purchased a sawmill in Dan-Y-Bryn Road which he used as a garage and continued to repair and maintain motor cars as well as trading from a small petrol station.
Bills wife Elsie Sinclair ran the petrol station. Both worked long hours, often 7 days a week. Gerald got involved in the business early on in his life by helping out in the school holidays and when he eventually left school trained as a mechanic.
By the late 60’s Bill Sinclair had already become well established as a repairer and non-franchised dealer of motor vehicles, selling new and used Rovers, Triumphs and Jaguars.
1971
Dan-y Bryn Garages secured the Audi franchise in Port Talbot.
Later that year Bill Sinclair Died. Gerald Sinclair took over the business with is mother Elsie still very much involved and still running the petrol station.
1974
Audi merged with Volkswagen and this gave Port Talbot the opportunity to sell Volkswagen as well as Audi. Because of the volume of servicing that was now being undertaken, premises were leased in Baglan and the service department moved to Baglan whilst the sales department remained in Dan-Y-Bryn Road.
1977
Gerald bought the Gerry Hill site at Penllergaer, which was the Volkswagen dealership for Swansea and re-named it Sinclair Garages.
1981
Saw the opening of Volkswagen and Audi in Bridgend.
1990's
Saw the opening of Mercedes dealership in Newport and the purchasing of the Neyland dealership. It also saw the growth of Sinclair Finance and leasing which has expanded and is continuing in its expansion.
2002
Due to Mercedes re-organising, Gerald had the opportunity to tender for the dealerships in South Wales and succeeded.
2008
Volkswagen in Newport and Cardiff came under the Sinclair Group umbrella and due to the New improved Mercedes Site and Cardiff Gate Volkswagen in Newport moved in to the old Mercedes premises.
2009
This was the year that Skoda in Swansea was purchased and relocated to Enterprise Park.
This rest is history!!!