Preserving the story of Autosheen and its place in motoring history.
An independent heritage archive collecting original photographs, vehicle memories, press features, business material and the stories of the people behind Autosheen.
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 VHS video footage.
Developing timeline
A working timeline of Autosheen history.
Early mobile franchise vans and red Autosheen branding.
Head Office activity in Wellingborough and corporate event work including Silverstone.
Citroën C15 vans purchased new from Moto Baldet Citroën in Northampton.
Auto Express publishes the “Vac Attack” feature on professional mobile valeting.
Auto Express reader survey includes Autosheen mobile valeting as a prize.
Vehicle fleet
The vans were part of the identity.
The vehicle photographs show how Autosheen branding appeared across working vans, customer driveways, Head Office and corporate event locations.
Events
Ford Escort 1.3 petrol van at Silverstone
Taken 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.
Fleet
Ford Escort 1.8 diesel van on driveway
Mobile valeting setup with hose running to the 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.
Head Office
Vauxhall Astra 1.7TD van at Head Office
Vauxhall Astra 1.7TD van photographed outside the Wellingborough Head Office premises.
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 1.8 diesel van on street
Ford Escort 1.8 diesel van photographed in a residential setting.
Fleet
Ford Escort rear branding
Rear doors showing Autosheen identity and period stickers.
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.
Fleet
Autosheen van and Yamaha bike
Period photograph showing Autosheen branding alongside a Yamaha motorcycle.
Press & magazine features
Autosheen in print.
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
Auto Express magazine feature detail
Additional image from the Auto Express magazine feature, preserved as part of the press archive.
Press
Auto Express Reader Survey 1997
Reader survey competition page offering Autosheen mobile valeting as a runner-up prize.
Press
Auto Express Reader Survey copy
Black-and-white copy of the 1997 Auto Express competition page.
Original material
Memorabilia and archive finds.
Memorabilia
Steve Cokayne business card
Landscape business card from the Head Office period, showing the Sanders Road address and Autosheen branding.
Memorabilia
Box of Head Office business cards
Original unused cards still in their printer’s box.
Memorabilia
Business card printer packaging
Original local printer packaging connected with the business card stock.
Memorabilia
Printer packaging label
Packaging label from the original business card print order.
Logo
Original Autosheen panel logo
Blue-and-white Autosheen Mobile Car Valeting branding with the star incorporated into the A.
People
The archive is really about the people behind the vans.
Autosheen’s story includes Head Office staff, senior valeters, franchisees, managers, suppliers and customers who remember the vans arriving on site.
Known names currently being documented include Steve Cokayne, Colin Murtagh, Tom Miller and others from the Wellingborough and franchise eras.
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.
People
Tom Miller archive photograph
Former franchisee Tom Miller’s Autosheen photograph, shared with permission for the archive.
People
Tom Miller newspaper coverage
Local newspaper coverage of Tom Miller’s franchise work.
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.
