AS SPRY’S of Launceston ends its nearly 90-year partnership with Ford and goes back to the independent status it started with, The Post takes a look back at how it all began and the reason behind the change. Ryan Cox reports

Established in 1913, Spry’s started out as an independent supplier and repairer of vehicles and did so for 13 years until becoming a Ford dealer in 1926.

During their time as a Ford dealer, Spry’s have been car and commercial distributors for Morris, Triumph, and Rover, but mainly Fords — they even sold tractors for a period.

The decision to bring the company back to its original roots and status as an independent supplier and repairer was made earlier this year, and was realised as of August 1.

Managing director Philip Spry is the third generation of Sprys to run the businesses, following on from his father, Douglas, who took over from his father, Percy.

In January 2016 it would have marked the 90-year partnership, but Mr Spry felt it was the right time to make the change.

He said: “With the complicated nature of the franchise business, restraining customer choice, the decision to go back to an independent operation allows us more freedom to trade.”

In an article in The Post in 1976, on the 50th anniversary of the Ford partnership, sales director of the Ford Motor Company, Mr S E G Toy, presented Douglas Spry with a certificate commemorating the milestone.

Mr Toy spoke about the ‘Ford family’, and said Spry’s were very much part of that family, as a privately owned family company, adding: “you represent exactly what we want”.

Keen to keep the family and community aspect of the company alive, Mr Spry said times had changed and Ford is a ‘different animal’ now than it used to be, so ending the partnership in order to ‘keep individuality to the business’ was something that had to be done, albeit somewhat reluctantly after many years of success.

With Spry’s cementing itself firmly in the heart of Launceston for over a century, there will not be many, if any, who do not have a memory or story to tell about the company.

Percy Spry first opened ‘Spry’s International Garage’, in 1913 on Old Hill in Launceston, closing down in 1916 to enlist in the Army, but reopening in 1919, this time in Market Street — where many people now will know as the back of Harvey’s Bar and Bistro.

It was in 1926 that he moved to Exeter Street where the company would stay for years to come — also becoming a Ford dealer at this time.

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week’s edition of the Post.