History of Tippetts

Tippetts have been trading for the past 83 years, since Mr Walter Tippett first opened business in 1919. Repairing motorcars on Arlington Road, Surbiton till 1937. The firm then moved to it's present location on Ewell Road. By now the main focus of the business had shifted to motorcycles and a steady supply of AJS and Matchless machines passed through the doors.

As the war ended he took on two young men in the workshop and when, in the fullness of time, Walter died these two young hopefuls agreed to carry on the business and the Tippetts name. Thus were the foundations of the present company laid. Phil Alexander and Jack Wheeler brought a wealth of enthusiasm and hardwork to bear on the venture and in 1959 Tippetts Motors (Surbiton) Ltd was launched as a Limited Company. A stroke of luck in helping Honda to retain the Mordes Trophy resulted in the offer of the Honda franchise and so Tippetts were the second British Honda dealer appointed and remains the only original solus dealer in the country.

Of course, it wasn't all hard work. There was lots of fun as well. Usually this was the result of some 'error' on the part of one or both of the 'boys'. Like the time that they had a large order for six bikes and were in such a rush to make sure that they were on the road on time that they took one end of a bike each to prepare. This resulted with unmatched number plates on the front and rear!

The 'new' workshop, built in the 1970's nearly didn't happen when the Polish crew delivering it got lost, with the prefab building, for 3 days in the Lake District. However, it finally turned up and was finished, in the pouring rain, just in time for the launch of the GL1100DXB. Tippetts have always been involved with Goldwings - right from the day that Dick Emery bought his first machine from them - and are still one of the major supporters of the Wing movement.