For Dealers Only - 1937

This is a film made for Ford dealerships, encouraging them to smarten up their showrooms and organise their sales tactics. Slovenly Mr Sinclair is shown how to get his garage fit for purpose by Ford publicity guru Mr Harding. Soon the untidy pile of out of date brochures are replaced by a bespoke Ford display cabinet, prospects are safely organised in a card index system and there are"fine photographs of Dagenham" on the walls. This is a fascinating insight into branding and sales, 1930s style.

[@steverowe6632]

Modern dealerships could learn something from this! Sometimes you’re lucky if you even get an acknowledgment from the staff on duty and you wonder if they really want your business!

[@garyfrancis6193]

True

[@kennethmoore9475]

That's been my experience.

[@nonelost1]

And at the opposite extreme is one or two high pressure salespeople hovering like vultures, right at the entrance to the dealership, over eager for your business.

[@josephschuster1494]

This is an excellent presentation, many of the ideas are still useable today. Neatness and organization go a long way to improve company operations. 🚘

[@tomrogers9467]

I was shopping for a Chrysler product few years ago. The salesman at the adjacent desk was puffing away on a stinky cigar. I was so overwhelmed by the smoke I left. Without waiting for the salesman to bring me the brochure he went searching for. Customer service at its best.

[@bextar6365]

The way it should be done now days. Now we have young sales people with no knowledge of the products that they are selling !

[@kendemers8821]

The British venue was a charming touch for this Ford Training Video. I agree that today's dealers could learn something from this piece. It is amazing to see how dealerships operated on a much smaller scale as compared with today. Great video!

[@4everdc302]

Henry Ford would have come out of his skin if he'd seen a Ford dealership look like that😮

[@johndix177]

Beautiful print! Love the British take on selling Fords to the public back before the war. It was a different time but lots of the information is still applicable today.

[@johnjwedrall4290]

I found your channel today and subscribed to it today. I'm sure I'll enjoy your channel. I love Fords,especially from the 30s up.

[@Mercmad]

Some of those posters would look great on my wall and the 37' Ford Woody in the show room was something you never see today thanks to the construction of the body. But still a nice looking wagon.

[@RB-qq1ky]

You do wonder though, how many V8 Fords were sold in the UK. Obviously Dagenham thought they would sell enough to be worth assembling them and advertising them, but as they were in one of the top bands of taxation based on their engine size (22 or 30 HP depending on which V8 was used) I suspect it wouldn’t have been a huge number…

[@PressedSteel1919]

Sir. You have sold me, I'll take one in silver & red !

[@lifuranph.d.9440]

Automatic or manual transmission.

[@alexmckenna1171]

The film about the 1935 V8 is wonderful too.

[@markinsacramento]

As a Mustang owner I approve of this video.

[@giggiddy]

Congratulations. You own the most common, un- unique car on the road.

[@nothingtoseehere999]

I have a 69 mustang

[@nothingtoseehere999]

​@@giggiddywhat car do you own?

[@markinsacramento]

@@nothingtoseehere999 What a fine automobile you have, my friend

[@markinsacramento]

@@nothingtoseehere999 prius???

[@davids8449]

That Ford Dealer is an excellent advertisement to buy Austin

[@RB-qq1ky]

For an extra £18 he could buy the contemporary Vauxhall Ten, a much more advanced design with independent front suspension, hydraulic brakes, decent synchromesh, and an overhead valve engine. Also the first British car using monocoque construction.

[@wingaard]

@@RB-qq1ky Sunbeam Talbot 'ten' or 2 ltr for me.

[@richardwahl6667]

According to ChatGPT: At the beginning of World War II, Ford's operations in the UK, like those of many other industries, underwent significant changes. The outbreak of the war in 1939 led to a shift in focus from civilian to military production, in line with the national effort to support the war. Ford's UK factories, notably including the large plant at Dagenham, East London, were repurposed for the war effort. These factories, originally focused on producing cars and commercial vehicles for the domestic and export markets, were adapted to manufacture a range of military equipment. This included military vehicles, such as trucks and armored cars, as well as engines for British military aircraft. The Dagenham plant, in particular, played a critical role in producing the Rolls-Royce Merlin engines under license, which were used in several key RAF aircraft, including the Spitfire and Hurricane fighters. The transition of Ford's UK operations to support the war effort meant that the production of civilian vehicles was largely suspended. This shift mirrored the broader industrial mobilisation in the UK, where factories and workers were redirected to meet the demands of wartime production. Ford dealerships in the UK, like those of other car manufacturers, saw a drastic reduction in the availability of new civilian vehicles during the war. The focus on military production, coupled with restrictions on the use of materials and fuel rationing, meant that the car market was severely limited. Dealerships would have had to adapt to these changes, likely focusing on repairs and maintenance of existing vehicles rather than the sale of new cars. After the war, Ford and other manufacturers gradually returned to civilian production, but the effects of the war, including the destruction and resource allocation, meant that it took some time for the industry to recover to pre-war levels. Ford's contribution to the war effort, however, helped to cement its presence and reputation in the UK, setting the stage for post-war expansion and development.

[@marks-the-spot]

Directed by Ralph Smart who went on to bring us TV shows like Danger Man and Secret Agent.

[@DMBall]

Director Ralph Smart later in his career created the "Danger Man/Secret Agent" series which starred Patrick McGoohan.

[@jaminova_1969]

I had this on in the background and thought they were playing a British Film Noir Murder mystery! lol

[@6ettinold]

Directed by the famous Sydney Box, his sister was even more successful, directing countless big British films in the 40's, 50's & 60's.

[@jasonmurdoch9936]

Back in the good old days 💯

[@geraldharkness8830]

reminds me of my time working at a ford tractor dealership!nostalga

[@donerskine7935]

"Where will I get 3000 names?" "Have you tried stalking people on Facebook?"

[@paullacey2999]

Pity Ford dont do brochures now...

[@donerskine7935]

"I want a Publicity Service Van like that one."

[@garyfrancis6193]

£155 for that car. Outrageous!

[@keno77]

Very nice video, thanks for sharing

[@janeeccleston9196]

Enjoyed that 👍🏼

[@Lookup2Wakeup]

That card system. Today its electronically interactive & called a data base ..... 👌

[@dave3657]

I’ll bet the dealers web page is a mess also. 😂

[@kevinmarsh5034]

He probably wouldn't have one, dammed modern ideas you know.

[@victory2115]

I wonder what those “ Junco” tyres were like. 🤔

[@malcolmwhite6588]

Er… “junko”! It’s in the name, you can’t say I didn’t warn you😂

[@jeffhallel8211]

Henry Ford was in Germany visiting Heetler.

[@thomassmigielski9033]

Have to wonder how many of these dealerships survived the blitz

[@garyfrancis6193]

I say. These are Bally good ideas.

[@donerskine7935]

"We need to sell more cars. We didn't have those strikers shot dead in Michigan for nothing."

[@yuglesstube]

This is great.

[@nigelcharlton-wright1747]

I feel as if I am watching a Laurel and Hardy film. Half expect to see their Model T driving past the dealer as it's front wings fall off…

[@giggiddy]

If that vehicle has wings. What does a plane have?

[@frankgiaquinto1571]

In the UK, fenders are called wings .​@@giggiddy

[@giggiddy]

@@frankgiaquinto1571 Thats right. Sorry about that.

[@fredflintstoner596]

Mrs Richards: "I paid for a room with a view !" Basil: (pointing to the lovely view) "That is Torquay, Madam ." Mrs Richards: "It's not good enough!" Basil: "May I ask what you were expecting to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom window ? Sydney Opera House, perhaps? the Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically past?..." Mrs Richards: "Don't be silly! I expect to be able to see the sea!" Basil: "You can see the sea, it's over there between the land and the sky." Mrs Richards: "I'm not satisfied. But I shall stay. But I expect a reduction." Basil: "Why?! Because Krakatoa's not erupting at the moment ?"

[@One-Crazy-Cat]

Junco tyres! I want some junco’s.

[@NickRatnieks]

I assume Graham Moffatt was busy filming with Will Hay otherwise he would have been ideal to have played the dealer, Mr Sinclair.

[@columbmurray]

In France went to buy a Mazda. The young salesman couldn't take his eyes of a girl who came in. The head bloke told me to sell my English car first and come back. I went straight to Honda and bought a civic. They did me a favour !

[@giggiddy]

Your first mistake was going to France.

[@erik_dk842]

The French friendlyness

[@mattcrooke8321]

£12800 in todays money!

[@Jan-iq5sm]

Not much has changed, attitude still the same .

[@blackvulcan100]

Got to agree he seems like a JLR salesman with his attitude.

[@johnnyjrotten59]

Back when cars had some style.

[@CrimsonSlytherin]

Yes!!

[@tomrogers9467]

Don’t be fooled, Ford didn’t honour their warranty back then, either. My Dad learned that hard (and expensive) lesson back in 1956. He never bought another, and neither have I. Ever. Saved me tens of thousands in bad experiences!

[@reynardbizzar5461]

Is that Mother from the Avengers😂😂😂

[@donerskine7935]

Do Ford still sell Running Board Blacking? And I have a skid marks problem too.

[@scottwhitehouse1128]

When can you do the film on a ford cargo please

[@ShakespeareCafe]

"Guy don't walk on the lot lest he wants to buy"

[@donerskine7935]

"And you can hide behind the shelves."

[@chuckb9867]

Ford leads the country today with the most recalls of any Vehicle

[@moshihus]

Wow!......Buying a car in the Scottish Highlands!!....please watch this Audi!!

[@donerskine7935]

"Ford doesn't sell cars anymore. We sell shelves."

[@davidmalin5491]

I do breakdown and recovery in he UK so go to a lot of dealers. Ford is probably the worst. The best are Japanese, except Mazda , they can’t do enough for you even though I have only bought in a broken down car.

[@karstent.66]

Wow, so you are now over 90 years in business? How was the breakdown rate of the Model A? I did not know, Mazda was arround in 1937 here in Europe? Tell me your secret how did you keep yourself so fit, being that old and still doing recoveries?

[@erik_dk842]

@@karstent.66 That was uncalled for

[@neildyer4433]

Nothing changed

[@henriquem491]

Revendedores

[@AnthonyTolhurst-dw1nc]

American Way all over again. Amway, however, is the worst of it!

[@timklein3962]

An America long gone; sadly !

[@erik_dk842]

This film was from England

[@Klown84]

😂 that car had a top speed of 40 mph 😂 what a piece of junk! Bits of cardboard in the window 😂. Nah.. proper wrong! Give me a sick German whip all day long and then some

[@simontaylor2319]

Sweet, but I still wouldn't buy a Ford

[@simonspider]

Well mannered, well dressed people with good morals and principles, make a change from the lazy, arrogant sloths nowadays...

[@CrimsonSlytherin]

Amen.