The tyre business followed, with a retreading service proving to be a smart move due to the high cost of new car tyres, which they also stocked. They used steam boilers in what was called ‘recapping’ and, even though the equipment was quite primitive by today’s standards, they must have done a pretty good job, because they had customers in their cars lined up around the corner that unfortunately led to the odd traffic jam.
Eventually the brothers shifted the business to bigger premises with more options when they purchased 83 Rokeby Road, on the opposite side of their original site, closer to Hay Street.
Vern takes up his story again:
“Because the electrical business was going so well, and growing so fast at that stage, the tyre and battery side was ‘put on the shelf’. Besides, there were a number of other bigger tyre companies opening up in the area. So, they switched their focus to the electrical business, which boomed because of the close relationship the business had with Subiaco and its people.
“Dad said that he was pretty glad to see the back of the tyre and battery business because of the smells. They would vulcanise the rubber to patch the tyres and recap them and the stench of burning rubber would fill the air.
“And then there were the batteries, bubbling away with their harsh acid-smell they created while they were recharged. Combine that with the steam from the boiler and unbearable heat of the furnace, all confined within the walls of a solid brick property, originally designed as a shop, with no ventilation, it was not only unpleasant but also a fire trap.”
Pictured: Our original premises, 140 Rokeby Road, Subiaco
Excerpt from our book: ‘100 Not Out’ by Ross Addison
