Thursday 16 February 2012

Flash repairs


I'm sure they do not mean 'repairs done in a flash'. Perhaps they mean that their repair jobs are 'fancy'. Who knows? But each of these shops is the sign of a dying breed of mechanical repair shop, that doubles as a smash repair shop. Being squeezed into back alleys through sky-high rents, and out of business by the omnipresent computer system that, I gather, is under the bonnet of cars nowadays.

Originally, I had no idea what 'Spies Hecker' was, but now know it to be a well-known brand of paint finishing for automotives.

I led with the Kings Cross repair shop because I like the font.

This is my contribution to the Signs Signs community.

16 comments:

Rae Walter said...

Such a contrast in signage Julie. Hard to pick between the top sign and the interesting and ambiguous Flash Auto.

Kay L. Davies said...

I like the 1917 photo. "Repairing automobiles since 1917"? I guess it's possible.
Nice assortment of smash repair shops, Julie.
K

hamilton said...

There is something about 'smash repairs' that makes me laugh. I remember that there was another (odd to my Canadian eyes) term for an auto repair shop when I was in Aus, but at the moment I can't remember what it was. Something to do with what we would call body work.
It'll come to me, eventually...

Carole M. said...

interesting to see what's still operating in these streets of Sydney

Jim said...

Quite a variety of inner city smash repairs there.

Ann said...

I like the little 1917 one. Hacked? Not that I know of. Why, are you getting spam from me?

Ann said...

I've had verification on for yonks. I was getting badly spammed by htose automated messages at one time and it stopped it. Cant' say anthing about wavy letters on black 'cause I can't see it myself but there's nothing in the settings about double verification.

Lesley said...

These are becoming rarer than hen's teeth in this part of the world, too. I hope they are still making some money.

RedPat said...

They seem to be moving farther and farther out from the city centre here as the rents rise!

Dianne said...

most auto repair shops here are very run down
I guess for the same reasons

I love the older signs

Gemma Wiseman said...

The worn auto repair signs give the feeling that perhaps here is a good repair stop - they have weathered time and still exist! Somehow their weary sign is a symbol of active business! (At least that is what I have found!) A glossy sign tends to imply that they are a little more desperate! Great photos and thoughts!

Joan Elizabeth said...

Auto repair shops take me back to my father's workshop back home. It's the smell of grease, paint blackened hands and grimy overalls.

Mark said...

Nothing like an Inner City Repair Shop. Good to see they haven't been turned into flash apartments.

hamilton said...

'panel beater' - that's the term!
we use 'auto body repair', or just 'body shop' or sometimes 'collision specialists'

hamilton said...

and I see this is almost exactly 24 hours later

Julie said...

Ahha ... we sound like we are literalists. I could not for the life of me think of the expression you were after. Just watch: I will see it everywhere now.