3.58 Paeroa Motors Showroom 1954

Job No 77

Interior 1950s

Paeroa Motors opened in 1955 on the corner of Normanby Rd and Victoria St in Paeroa, selling cars and Europa petrol. The business was owned by Ben McDonald, who later sold it to David Whyte in 1976. The site is now occupied by Pascoe Motors.

The building is a straightforward structure with the large roof over the front section carried on rigid steel joists at 21 ft centres. These allow uninterrupted traffic flow in the showroom below. Massive 7-feet-wide glass windows on three sides ensure good views into the showroom. Large sliding doors provide access to the showroom, shop and store. Internal partitions facing into the showroom are mostly glass, ensuring both good surveillance and an open effect for the display. Even the counters incorporated glass tops for display.

The rear of the building has a lower ceiling height and houses the shop, offices and stores. The drop in ceiling height allows the use of clerestory windows that add to the illumination of the showroom below. The building has been altered slightly over the years, with one additional bay being added and the north wall of the showroom being filled in to accommodate additional offices.

The cars in the photograph all appear to be Morris models from 1954-55, so it is likely that McDonald had the Morris agency for Paeroa at that time.