Thursday, October 13, 2011

Fergus Motors- New York

Courtesy Morgan History Info
I ran across this gem of a photograph while trolling the net and it is a great example of how a number of  European auto manufacturers found customers in the US - through independent small importers.

The photo is featured on Hermen Pol's website Morgan History Info - a site with something for any Morgan enthusiast. Based in the Netherlands, Pol offers a more scholarly approach to marque enthusiasm. Any Morgan aficionado will find enough information here to waste an afternoon or two.     

Fergus Motors of New York was the official regional  importer of  a number of European marques with Morgan, Standard-Triumph and Alvis among them. The photo captures one of the firm's showrooms (there were three) with a rather tasty selection of cars on the street and inside the two story showroom.

See if you can identify them.

17 comments:

  1. My name is Cliff Gorham, I have a 1937 Daimler DB 17-1 Saloon, that was sold by Fergus Motor Company. To the Knowledge of the Daimler car clubs this is the only one in the United States, and 1 of only 2 in the world, the 1937 was only produced OCT - Dec 1937, then changes were made to create the DB -18,
    I am here in Springfield, Mo.

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  2. 2nd from the right ground floor is a Singer roadster - Peter McKercher, Singer historian

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  3. I have an English Ford Zephyr Zodiac, I think it's a 54-55, not sure as it has no title, it was sold By Fergus Motors, it has an ID plate under the hood that says 14771

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  4. I have a 1952 Siata Daina that was imported and sold by Fergus Motors of New York City. Any information on it`s history would be much appreciated.

    larrycrainich42@gmail.com

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    1. In 1952 Joe Ferguson (son of Fergus Motor's founder and a VP in charge of sales) drove a Siata Daina in the very first 12 hour race at Sebring, Florida, only to have head gasket problems force him to retire. He also raced a Siata Daina (the same car?) in the Giants' Despair Hill climb and Allentown Convair Trophy Races that same year. I don't know which car this was.

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    2. Yup- that was my grandfather - I have one of his racing trophies somewhere.. I'm his oldest grandchild ;)

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    3. March 7, 2021 To whom it may concern, please call on me for information pertaining to competition records for Fergus Motors, including Watkins Glen 1949, Bridgehampton 1951, Sebring 1952, etc. Sincerely, Andrew ps. call/text (2oh6)779-oh573

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  5. My husband and I have a Triumph Mayflower - Type 1200T imported and sold by Fergus Motors of New York City. This car is number 14028 on the Fergus name plate attached to the engine compartment wall.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Pat Mock. I have Fergus Mayflower NO. 14029 - Vin # TT33168LDL. I hope you receive this. Please respond to druth1939@live.com. I'm in Woodbridge, VA; where are you located? Are you in the Mayflower International Club?

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  6. i have a 1965 Morgan 4/4. i am looking to find the Fergus vehicle identification number as it is not stamped on the vehicle. does anyone know where we can get information from the Fergus archives?

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    Replies
    1. There are no Fergus archives. If yours is a Fergus car the plate will probably have been fixed to the toolbox on the scuttle under the hood.

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  7. I own a 1954 Morgan +4 which retains its unblemished Fergus plaque mounted on the (LHD) driver side tool box: #14333.
    The car happens to be one of the 19 very rare interim low headlamp production units.

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  8. That was my great-grandfather's shop: JB Ferguson. My grandfather, JB Ferguson Jr. used to race his dad's cars. Would love to learn more! Anissa Manzo (daughter of Denise Ferguson- JB Ferguson's granddaughter)

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    1. Anissa
      Send your E-mail address to me at part6@aol.com. I knew your Great-grandfather and can give you some information about him and the Fergus company.
      Harvey

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  9. Anissa,I am the owner of a 3.5litre Jaguar saloon,which was imported by your grand.-grandfather in 1947. FergusNo.11948.Its in the original colour suede green and we enjoy it very much. It came via the netherlands toGermany in 2019.
    Kind regards, Theo Scharmann, Germany

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  10. March 7, 2021 To whom it may concern, please call on me for information pertaining to competition records for Fergus Motors, including Watkins Glen 1949, Bridgehampton 1951, Sebring 1952, etc. Sincerely, Andrew ps. call/text (2oh6)779-oh573

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  11. Ed Johannemann Alexandria VA
    I am in the process of detailing the engine compartment in my 1958 Plus 4 and just removed the dealer plate from the top of the toll box section. I too am a MGB owner (3) and MGA owner (1) The Morgan has a little more character but I love the MGs. Very sorry to hear the family sold to a company but all good things come to an end.
    Does anyone know of an information source from Fergus Motors?

    Thanks
    Ed

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