Wombwell Auto Parts, was a good-sized operation that was located at 151 Short Street in Lexington, Kentucky. Not only did the supplier sell auto parts, but it also had a fully equipped machine shop and two trailers that were pulled by a 1935 Chevrolet Coupe. Back then as today, the busy auto mechanic or shop owner has very little time to travel to an auto parts store for parts, or tools and the supplier brought some of it directly to them.
At the top of the post can be seen Wombwell’s Raybestos brake lining trailer that was used to sell the company’s brake linings and tools directly to repair shops. The three photos (below) show both the exterior and the interior of another trailer that was outfitted to display and sell automotive service tools and machinery. Seen inside it is: An array of machinery for reconditioning engine parts; a welding outfit; jacks and a porta power outfit used for repairing accident damage; a spray painting outfit; an air compressor and smaller hand and power tools.
If you can, help us to identify the model of the tow car, and the maker of the trailers. In the near future, we will show you images of Wombwell’s machine shop that includes babbitting equipment. The circa 1938 Lafayette Studios photographs are courtesy of the University of Kentucky.
- Wombwell Auto Parts service tools and machinery trailer.
- Wombwell Auto Parts service tools and machinery trailer.
Look in the Chev section here, there’s sales brochure for 1935:
http://www.lov2xlr8.no/broch1.html
HTH,
I believe that trailer is a Covered Wagon brand, made in Mt. Clemens, Michigan.
In the shot on the rear, you can see this same logo:
http://home.earthlink.net/~reetjournal3/GilmoreCar_CoveredWagonLogo.jpg
And here’s a recent photo of one that’s been restored:
https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1086/5100583873_436d40d1a0_z.jpg
Brad, Thanks for the information.
The tow car is a 1935 Chevrolet Master Deluxe 5 window coupe. It was the only Chevy 2 door model made with suicide doors.
Technology of 1935 .. Too good, too perfect .. It was wonderful.
I worked for this company in 1979 and 80. Not sure when but sometime between when these pictures were taken and when I worked for them they dropped the “b” in the name and it became “Womwell (pronounced “Wom-Well) Auto Parts.”