Cygan / Gygan the Robot AKA Mr Moto

Post by **dsco** » Tue 17 Sep, 2013 2:17 pm

Hey all, not often I post a new thread but after reading about the (failed) attempt to bring a 1950s robot back to Leeds I immediately went on SL and had a search for information. I was surprised that no one had mentioned it, as it seems like prime SL territory. Here's some more details:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-23978373So - does anyone remember this robot and does anyone know which Ford dealership it was located at during the 1970s? No one else online or elsewhere seems to know, but I have a suspicion that the good burghers of SecretLeeds can succeed where others have failed

Johnny39 · Post by **Johnny39** » Tue 17 Sep, 2013 3:38 pm

dsco wrote: Hey all, not often I post a new thread but after reading about the (failed) attempt to bring a 1950s robot back to Leeds I immediately went on SL and had a search for information. I was surprised that no one had mentioned it, as it seems like prime SL territory. Here's some more details:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-23978373So - does anyone remember this robot and does anyone know which Ford dealership it was located at during the 1970s? No one else online or elsewhere seems to know, but I have a suspicion that the good burghers of SecretLeeds can succeed where others have failed From surfin' the web it was bought by Tate of Leeds and renamed Mr. Moto.

Post by **dsco** » Tue 17 Sep, 2013 4:04 pm

Nice work Jonny, hadn't spotted the Tate bit - any idea which of their dealerships it was located at though? A quick bit of Googling brought me (almost inevitably) back to a 'Ford dealership' thread on SL: http://www.secretleeds.com/forum/Messag ... readID=995

Johnny39 · Post by **Johnny39** » Tue 17 Sep, 2013 4:14 pm

dsco wrote: Nice work Jonny, hadn't spotted the Tate bit - any idea which of their dealerships it was located at though? A quick bit of Googling brought me (almost inevitably) back to a 'Ford dealership' thread on SL: http://www.secretleeds.com/forum/Messag ... readID=995 My pleasure "dsco". Try surfin' "Mr Moto in Leeds" and see what you come up with.

liits · Post by **liits** » Tue 17 Sep, 2013 4:35 pm

Quite a few pics and some good info here......http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/26552including a link to a short film......http://www.britishpathe.com/video/gentl ... -aka-robot

Post by **dsco** » Tue 17 Sep, 2013 4:43 pm

I'm not seeing anything about which dealership it was, and Tate's had a number of them around the city: behind North St, on the ring road, and a few others. Sounds like the ring road site was their main location so perhaps it was there. It was the fact that no one seemed to remember which specific dealership it was at that interested me, and I thought a site member might be able to help.@Liits, nice one, been having a read/watch of those.Anyone out there remember this guy? At 8ft tall you'd have thought Mr Moto wouldn't be so easily forgotten by local residents!

Johnny39 · Post by **Johnny39** » Tue 17 Sep, 2013 5:03 pm

dsco, in the 50/60's we always considered Tate of Leeds in New York Road as the main Ford dealer in Leeds.

Chrism · Post by **Chrism** » Tue 17 Sep, 2013 5:09 pm

Johnny39 wrote: dsco, in the 50/60's we always considered Tate of Leeds in New York Road as the main Ford dealer in Leeds. In the late 60's my dad drove a mini and every year we would hire a bigger car to take us on our annual jaunt to Cornwall from that branch.

Post by **dsco** » Tue 17 Sep, 2013 5:32 pm

Johnny39 wrote: dsco, in the 50/60's we always considered Tate of Leeds in New York Road as the main Ford dealer in Leeds. Ah ha - getting closer then So it would have been on this building somewhere then? http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?reso ... _169818And it looks like it's now SafeStore? http://bit.ly/15Ajv69

buffaloskinner · Post by **buffaloskinner** » Tue 17 Sep, 2013 8:47 pm

Yes thats correct the HO was New York Road, in the early 70's I worked at Tate Trucks on Balm Road and was forever getting a call to tow Tommy Tates truck (Ford Thames Trader) back to his house.The garage and office were under where the Mecca bingo is now.However dont remember Mr Moto at all...........