A historic car dealership founded by two sets of brothers is celebrating 100 years as the main Ford dealer in Norwich. 

Founded in the early 1920s, Busseys was born when Charles ‘Reg’ and Alec Bussey joined forces with the Sabberton brothers, an engineering firm and iron works based in Norwich.

Ford Motor Company appointed Busseys and Sabberton Bros as official distributors in 1923, and as production ramped up over the next decade, the firm opened shops on a site which grew across Quayside, Bedding Lane and Pigg Lane, between the Wensum and the Cathedral.

Eastern Daily Press: Busseys workshops in full flow, c.1924Busseys workshops in full flow, c.1924 (Image: Busseys)

The company grew and when the Second World War broke out, it was entrusted with the repair and overhaul of countless army vehicles, although part of its site was destroyed during a German bombing raid.

Busseys continued to expand throughout the 1950s and 1960s, opening its first workshop and showroom at its Whiffler Road site, where its head office is still located.

Eastern Daily Press: Busseys delivery service van, c.1930sBusseys delivery service van, c.1930s (Image: Busseys)

Business continued to ramp up throughout the 1990s, as the firm set its sights on the rest of the county, acquiring the Main Ford Dealerships in Fakenham, south Norwich, Dereham and Swaffham, making the company the largest Ford dealership in Norfolk.

Eastern Daily Press: Busseys workshops in full flow, c.1930Busseys workshops in full flow, c.1930 (Image: Busseys)

Busseys became the main Peugeot dealer in Norwich in 2010 when it acquired the dealership on Hall Road.

A second Peugeot dealership was opened months later as an addition to the Dereham Ford branch.

Today, the company is still owned by the Bussey family, and has five sites across Norfolk.

Despite closing its Dereham branch two years ago amid doubts over its viability, Busseys director Paul Bussey said he was excited for the future. Eastern Daily Press: Lisa Brankin, Chair and Managing Director, Ford of Britain and Ireland presents plaque to Paul BusseyLisa Brankin, Chair and Managing Director, Ford of Britain and Ireland presents plaque to Paul Bussey (Image: Busseys)

He added: “Ford has been an important partner for our local family business and over the years together we have served tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of Norfolk customers. 

“We look forward to continuing our relationship with Ford and the exciting future their new products will bring to the county.”