History
In 1950 while working as a motor mechanic for the local Ford dealer, Tom Bascombe noticed the rapid introduction of diesel engines into the farming, transport & fishing industries. Tom decided that he would service this growing market & in 1951 started his own business and rented workshop space in a warehouse in Porter street. In those early days it was common for Tom to load up his Ford panel van & head off to farms in the country to service & repair diesel powered equipment. Often he stayed overnight on the farm before moving on to the next job & didn’t return home till the end of the week. Tom purchased a block of land on New West Road which in those days was on the edge of the town & began to build his own workshop.
As the business grew over the years so did the workshop and the staff including his nephew John & later, son David. Much of the equipment in those days was powered by Perkins engines, especially Fordson, Massey Harris & Chamberlain tractors along with International, Leyland & Commer trucks. Tom was appointed a Perkins Engine dealer and West Coast Diesel Service is still a current Perkins dealer having sold & serviced many Perkins engines. Tom’s second son Mick joined the Company in 1975 as administration manager.
Photo of Tom Bascombe and Mick Bascombe outside new premises at 32 St Andrews Tce
Some years later Tom purchased the local diesel injection repair business from the owner who wished to retire, and relocated that business to the New West Road workshop but by the 1980’s the encroachment of housing & increasing size of trucks meant the premises was too cramped. The business was now operated by John, David & Mick & made the decision to relocate to the current premises at 32 St.Andrews Terrace. With the development of the Lincoln Cove Marina and the associated leisure boating business this proved to be a wise decision as the new premises offered a showroom, a drive through workshop & better staff amenities. West Coast Diesel Service was by then the authorised dealer for Volvo Penta marine engines, Scania trucks & marine engines, & MAN marine engines.
The business is now managed by Tom’s grandson Craig and also includes his step grandson Craig so it is truly family owned & operated.