British mobile valeting heritage

Preserving the story of Autosheen and its place in motoring history.

An independent heritage archive collecting original photographs, vehicle memories, press features and the stories of the people behind Autosheen.

Explore the vehicles Share a memory

Autosheen team working at Silverstone Racing Circuit — Autosheen staff and vehicles at Silverstone Racing Circuit for a BMW corporate event.

The story

A specialist mobile service before detailing became mainstream.

Autosheen became known for mobile car and commercial valeting, distinctive branded vans and work supporting manufacturers, magazine shoots, ride-and-drive programmes and corporate events across the UK.

The archive brings together material from the Wellingborough Head Office years, former franchisees, original photographs, printed memorabilia, newspaper coverage and video memories.

Developing timeline

A working timeline of Autosheen history.

Late 1980s

Early mobile franchise vans and red Autosheen branding.

1991

Head Office activity in Wellingborough and corporate event work including Silverstone.

1993

Citroën C15 vans purchased new from Moto Baldet Citroën in Northampton.

1996

Auto Express publishes the “Vac Attack” feature on professional mobile valeting.

1997

Auto Express reader survey includes Autosheen mobile valeting as a prize.

Vehicle Fleet

The vans were part of the identity.

These photographs show Autosheen branding across working vans, customer driveways, Head Office and corporate event locations.

Fleet

Ford Escort 1.3 petrol van F43 KKL

Ford Escort 1.3 petrol Autosheen van photographed during a working mobile valeting visit.

Fleet

Ford Escort 1.8 diesel van on driveway

Mobile valeting setup with hose running to a Ford Escort 1.8 diesel van outside a customer property.

Fleet

Ford Escort 1.8 diesel van side profile

White Ford Escort 1.8 diesel van with blue Autosheen graphics.

Fleet

Ford Escort 1.8 diesel van on street

Ford Escort 1.8 diesel van photographed in a residential setting.

Fleet

Vauxhall Astra 1.7TD van rear view

Rear view showing Autosheen branding and mobile valeting markings on the Vauxhall Astra 1.7TD van.

Fleet

Vauxhall Astra 1.7TD bonnet logo

Bonnet view of the Vauxhall Astra 1.7TD van wearing the square Autosheen mark.

Fleet

Ford Escort rear branding

Rear doors showing Autosheen identity and period stickers.

Fleet

Autosheen van and Yamaha bike

Period photograph showing Autosheen branding alongside a Yamaha motorcycle.

Corporate Events

Autosheen beyond driveway work.

Corporate event photographs show Autosheen supporting vehicle manufacturers and professional promotional work.

Events

Ford Escort 1.3 petrol van at Silverstone

Ford Escort 1.3 petrol van photographed at Silverstone Racing Circuit as part of a BMW corporate event.

Events

BMW corporate event at Silverstone

Autosheen staff and vans working at Silverstone Racing Circuit for a BMW corporate event.

Head Office

Wellingborough Head Office archive.

Building, yard and signage photographs preserve the working environment behind the Autosheen operation.

Head Office

Vauxhall Astra 1.7TD van at Head Office

Vauxhall Astra 1.7TD van photographed outside the Wellingborough Head Office premises.

Head Office

Wellingborough Head Office premises

Autosheen signage and vehicles outside the Wellingborough Head Office building.

Head Office

Head Office vehicles

Autosheen vans photographed outside the Head Office building.

People of Autosheen

The people behind the vans.

The archive includes Head Office staff, franchisees, senior valeters, suppliers and people who kept the Autosheen story alive.

People

Steve Cokayne with Autosheen van

Steve Cokayne beside an Autosheen vehicle during the Head Office period.

People

Steve Cokayne and Colin Murtagh

Steve Cokayne with Colin Murtagh, preserving personal links behind the Autosheen story.

Press Archive

Autosheen in print.

Newspaper and magazine coverage preserved as part of the archive.

Press

Auto Express “Vac Attack” feature

October 11, 1996 Auto Express feature showing Autosheen’s professional mobile valeting work in a national magazine product test.

Press

Tom Miller newspaper feature

Clean local newspaper cutting covering former Autosheen franchisee Tom Miller and his expanding mobile valeting business.

Contribute

Do you remember Autosheen?

If you worked for Autosheen, owned a franchise, used the service, supplied the company or have photographs, paperwork, video or memories, your contribution could help preserve another piece of the story.

This is an independent heritage archive created to preserve Autosheen history, motoring memories and original material before it disappears.

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