Main Ford Dealers since 1911
Bougourd Bros was
first established in Guernsey by brothers Alf and Eddie
and was first known as the Belgrave Motor Engineering
Works at Les Banques, St Peter Port. Mr E J Bougourd Mr A J Bougourd
After the war, in 1945 Ford cars started to come into the island again, and the island received priority as they were deemed to come under export countries.
Little did the Bougourd brothers realise in 1911 the enormous impact the motor car would have on the island and it's people in the years to come. Guernsey was an island of horse drawn vehicles and bicycles before the first car arrived on the scene. And it was the bicycle business into which the Bougourd Brothers went before branching out on to four wheels. In 1905 they owned a bicycle shop in the Vale Road before moving to Richmond Corner, where they sold motor cycles and cars.
In those days Mr A.J. was one of the first three people in the island able to make cycle tyres, an old Frenchman living here taught them how. They were solid tyres in those days. A.J. was then about 15 years old. The assembly of new cars from imported kits presented no difficulty to the brothers, this of course, went in tandem with the building of cycles from the raw materials. It would appear that A.J.'s first taste of the art of salesmanship came when his father sent him out to see a very sceptical farmer, but he returned with an order for three bikes.
During his long career as a motor dealer this bicycle deal gave him the most satisfaction.
Law Abiding
Guernsey was a law abiding island during the early days of this century. In 1910, for instance, only two cases against motorist are recorded. However, that year there were four cases of drivers of horses and vans being found drunk in charge!
In 1920 the speed limit for motor vehicles in St Peter Port was four miles per hour. According to the Ordinance on automobiles they "had to proceed at a slow pace". No mention was made of actual speed, but drivers could be fined up to £1 for speeding.
At night vehicles had to have a lighted lamp on each side and a red rear light on the right side. For non compliance with this rule there was a maximum penalty of £2. Drivers also had to have a bell or horn which had to be sounded at corners of streets and roads so as to give notice of approach, and it could cost drivers a fine up to £2 if the failed to stop both car and engine whenever requested by a person driving horses or other animals. Car owners in the 1920s had to apply to the States Office for a different coloured number plate each year. Owners would detach their plates, take them to the office where a junior clerk would have to run to the top of the building, find that year's colour and return to the motorist who would hand over his tax fee.
In the early days of motoring in Guernsey, there were no such things as petrol pumps, let alone automatic ones. According to Mr Jim Le Maitre who was managing director of Stanley Motors, near Richmond Corner, petrol came in two gallon cans and in just one grade at a cost of 2s 6d. (25p) and was supplied by Leale Ltd.
Bougourd Bros have undoubtedly played a major part in shaping the transport revolution in Guernsey. The car is not only indispensable for private use but it plays a major role in contributing to the island's economy.
In 1950's Leale Ltd acquired a majority shareholding in Bougourd Bros. then in 1981 it then became part of the Guernsey Gas Group, which is now known as International Energy Group.
THE FIRST FORD
The very first Ford car
to come to Guernsey arrived direct from the USA and was
in a wooden box, It had no wheels and no wings and proved
quote a job to put together. The importation of Fords began in 1911 and in those
days they arrived in the port in packing cases. It was a
question of part assembling them before a sale could be
made.
Bougourd Bros first order from the Ford Motor Company
was for just one car. By taking this step they thought they were
making a tremendous leap forward . Not long afterwards the order
went up and soon passed the 100 mark.
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Very soon, as more cars started to arrive, they had organised their own "assembly line". To gain more work experience, A.J. crossed to the USA and for a time worked in Detroit, the home of car manufacturing. He returned before the first world war and by this time had had plenty of opportunity to learn about American ways of business and organisation.
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