Joe started his car engineering career as an apprentice at Waghorn’s Garage, Town Hall Square, before the Second World War. After the war he bought a tumble-down property in Belle Hill from his father – it had previously been the site of Bexhill Steam Laundry, at 19-25 Belle Hill.
Joe developed his motor engineering and car sales business until he sold the site to Caffyns in 1982, by which time it was facing the new dual carriageway King Offa Way.
Devonshire Garage Advert
Joe Davis at his petrol pumps in 1979
Advertisement from Bexhill Observer, 1960s.
Joe Davis at his petrol pumps in 1979. In 1964, Joe was agent for Singer and Fiat cars, by 1966 Chevrolet, Fiat, Mercedes-Benz, Singer & Volkswagon and later Toyota.
Joe died at his home at Gotham Farm, Whydown, in July 1987, aged 63.