B&B and self-catering
The
FORECOURT
Welcome
The Forecourt B&B and Self-Catering is a family-run establishment, located in Dordrecht in the Eastern Cape. It is conveniently situated near the Forecourt Coffee Shop for all your meal requirements.
All our luxury rooms are equipped with air-cons, DSTV, complimentary WiFi, bar fridge and tea & coffee making facilities. There is 24-hour security with off-street, undercover parking, and there is a braai area available to all our guests.
Our self-catering units are fully equipped, with DSTV, complimentary WiFi, and secure off-street parking. THere is a braai area available to all our guests.
The History of Universal Garage
Universal Garage was founded in 1924 by Pieter Frederick Greyling, grandfather of the present owner. Initially, he was a Chrysler, Ford, Overland and Studebaker dealer, but in 1928 he managed to secure the General Motors franchise. He managed to keep the business going through the depression and World War II, but it was his son, Casper, who joined the business upon his return from the war who turned the business around and made it one of the most renowned GM dealerships in the country. Under Casper's leadership the dealership won many awards and prizes including no less than 7 overseas trips!
In 1976, Casper's son Pieter jnr. joined the business as an apprentice mechanic. Casper believed that Pieter jnr. would only be able to run the business successfully if he learned the business from the bottom up and so after spending 8 years in the workshop of the dealership Pieter jnr. moved onto the Parts department and then onto the vehicle sales dept.
In 1990 Casper retired to Port Elizabeth, and Pieter jnr. took over the management of the business. The dealership continued to go from strength to strength and Pieter served as chairman of the Border Dealer council for a number of years.
Pieter's background in the workshop of the dealership stood him in good stead when he designed and patented the “Deasy Flow” which prevented diesel fuel freezing. The patent rights were eventually bought by Delta Motor Corporation and fitted to all their diesel bakkies as standard equipment. Other items which Pieter designed and which are still fitted to Isuzu products include a spare wheel locking device and a warning device which monitors the coolant level in the vehicle's engine thus preventing the engine overheating.
The next chapter in the history of Universal Garage is the upgrading of the Caltex Filling station which includes a new driveway and forecourt area as well as new sparkling, clean, toilet facilities, a new take away and coffee shop and also a new B&B offering.
