Coventy’s own Joe Elliott scoops prestigious automotive award

2/17/2012 6:30 AM EST

At the recent Car & Accessory Trader Magazine (CAT) awards ceremony, at the famous Twickenham Rugby Stadium, the highest honour awarded is The Lifetime Achievement award and this year it was given to Coventry’s Joe Elliott.

Joe, 68, has served the automotive aftermarket for over 40 years and his Coventry based company, ‘Elliott’s’ was so well known that it was arguably most successful single car accessory shop outlet of its time before he sold the business about seven years ago.

Joe who has lived in Coventry all his life was also the founding father of AIMS (the Association of Independent Motor Stores), which is now better known as A1 Motor Stores, the UK’s foremost independent motor retailers group with almost 300 outlets nationwide.

CAT Magazine is recognised in the automotive industry as the leading publication to serve the retailing and factoring aspects of the sector.

Former CAT man, Gary Barak presented the award: “Joe is as passionate now about the industry as he was when he first started out and his other love is, as many know, the City of Coventry itself. He is a main board member of the impressive Coventry Motor Museum and was recently awarded with the auspicious Order of Merit from the City of Coventry.”

Joe added: “To receive this award is a tremendous honour and I would like to dedicate it to the teams of people I have worked with at both Elliotts and A1, who have been part of my fantastic working life, which I have loved every minute off.”

Joe Elliot now joins the ranks of post-war architect Sir Donald Gibson, jet engine pioneer Sir Frank Whittle, cathedral architect Sir Basil Spence, poet Phillip Larkin, Jaguar president Sir William Lyons, Transport & General Workers’ Union boss Jack Jones, athlete David Moorcroft and former Jaguar chairman Sir John Egan, all of whom have previously been similarly recognised by the City of Coventry.

In addition to this latest honour, Joe is also highly regarded for his work with his beloved Coventry City Football Club. Since leaving the aftermarket he has invested much of his time in the football club. He is a former Chairman and Life President and on one notable occasion saved the club by pulling together a consortium that rescued it from the brink of financial collapse.

Joe is also a Life member of A1 Motor Stores, continually observing the progress of the group as it grows in membership and adapts to the requirements of today’s business trends.

For further information, or to interview Joe, please contact Gary Barak at chicane Tel: 01753 650004 or email:  





Editor’s notes:

A1
• 198 members and 290 outlets members

• Established in 1983

• Has a 13,000 sq ft support and distribution centre in Hinckley

• An A1 Motor Store is an independent business, which has joined forces with over 250 other stores nationwide to provide the best choice, the best price and most of all the best service to online and in-store customers.

• All of A1 stores are owner-operated with professional, highly trained, courteous staff giving you expert advice and prompt service with competitive prices.

• Whenever you need help or advice with any of your motoring requirements or problems, you can be sure that A1 Motor Stores will help. A1 can supply just about any spare part, accessory or state of the art gadgets available and, as motoring becomes more and more expensive, they can help the pound in your pocket go further.

• For further information, visit http://www.a1motorstores.co.uk