1935-2022
Numerous tributes from former employees and customers have been received by the Gabriel family following the death of Don Gabriel on 15 December, aged 87.
Don was in the motorcycle trade for 48 years (1950-1998) and following retirement maintained his enthusiasm for two-wheels until dementia denied him that pleasure.
Don, with business partner Peter Batten, bought and ran E Hamilton Ltd, building it up to five main showrooms on the busy A23 at Streatham High Road, South London.
Born in Mitcham, Surrey, Don got his start in 1950 as a 15-year-old apprentice mechanic with Pride & Clarke in Brixton, one of the big hitters in the post-war London motorcycle scene claiming to have 1000 bikes in stock at that time.
Following an apprenticeship Don moved to GP Motorcycles of Balham, South London. His duties included taking scooters for MOT testing at E (Evelyn) Hamilton’s workshop in Streatham.
When Evelyn wanted to retire in 1962 Don and fellow GP employee Peter Batten bought her out, keeping the E Hamilton name for continuity and financial purposes.
Don and Peter made a success of the business thanks to their motorcycle and scooter mechanical skills and Don’s paint spraying work, especially on scooters.
Taking note of their competence Eddie Marley of Greyhound Motorcycles, Croydon, Surrey, become a friend and mentor, supplying them Honda Cubs on sale or return terms.
Honda step-thru sales were about to take off, so the timing was fortuitous. As a result, “The boys”, as Marley called them, moved into bigger premises, a former flower shop in Streatham High Road.
Further expansion ensued, with E Hamilton taking on franchises for Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha and building up to five showrooms on the busy A23 Streatham High Road. Staff levels reached 25 at their peak.
The business suffered a severe blow in 1977 when the main showroom and spares stores at 442 Streatham High Road burnt down. Friends in the trade helped get them back on their feet.
Kawasaki was added to the franchise list in 1983. On 1 August that year Hamilton’s plated more than 60 new bikes, and during the good years sold 1500 new and used bikes.
Kawasaki and Yamaha became key players, especially Yamaha with its commuter lightweights, which Hamilton’s forward ordered in large quantities. In a joint deal, Hamilton’s and Derek Baker of Lamba Motorcycles bought 102 Yamaha Bop 2 and QT50 mopeds. Some of the crates had to be stored in Peter Batten’s front garden because they had run out of space.
As the business grew, Don became responsible for sales and business, and Peter for the workshop and spares. Don had a natural flair for sales. He combined a sense of fun with a very caring attitude to his customers, winning various dealer awards and proving popular with fellow dealers on business trips and on the golf links.
He retired in 1998 aged 63, Hamilton’s being bought by the Pendragon group.
Says son Jon Gabriel, a Hamilton’s employee from 1976 to 2001: “I have received many messages from former employees saying he was the best boss they ever had. He insisted on honesty with customers and really looked after them and his staff. Hamilton’s had a good reputation both with customers and the trade. This speaks volumes for the man my father was.”