McKendry Ford Company History
The first Ford dealer, Edward Parker, a general trader, took on the franchise about 1913. About 1920, Dix and Sons obtained the franchise and shifted to dedicated motor garage premises. However when they took on Chevrolet in 1927, they lost the Ford franchise which went to Lucas Brothers. Ed Lucas, and his brother Fred, had started a service garage at Seddon in 1919 and shifted to leased premises in Blenheim to operate the Ford garage, still keeping their branch at Seddon.
In 1929, Lucas Brothers showed their commitment to the motorists of Marlborough and constructed a purpose built Dealership in Alfred Street. (Which remained for over 60 years)
When Ed Lucas retired in 1958, his son Ted took over the business, which he ran for another 33 years. Ted Lucas remembers the day he made his biggest ever sale, to Montana Wines in 1973. He delivered 26 new Ford Tractors together with a variety of ploughs, cultivators, loaders and water tankers. How could he forget a sale like that!
In 1998, Colonial Motor Company purchased the Ford Franchise in its existing location in Nelson Street and operated till 31 March 2010 when it was sold to local vehicle dealers Paul and Andrew Mckendry "This will be the start of a new era for Ford in Marlborough" We intend to increase the numbers of vehicles on offer, the size of our servicing department and offer Ford Owners a new level of personal attention that they deserve.