Two white Bentleys at Portland Autos

About Us

Over 40 years of heritage

Portland Autos is a family run company that has been supplying prestige cars since 1983. Our experienced and friendly team will handle every part of the buying process for you including assisting with your initial enquiry, test drives, finance, delivery and transfer, or allocation, of personalised number plates.

Driven with family values

We have a 40 car indoor showroom, purpose built preparation centre, and plenty of room for the 120 cars that we have on site at any time. We pride ourselves on providing a fantastic customer experience that is supportive and hassle free.

For over 40 years

Entrance of Portland Autos
Our team has over 70 years of Portland experience between them. Just get in touch and we will be more than happy to help or you could look at some of the cars we have sold in the past and the customers we have helped.

Our history

Here’s a look at Clive and the Portland Autos journey.

Clive Watson
1977

Where it all started

Clive Watson showed an interest in cars from a young age and was an apprentice tool maker at International Harvesters when he started buying and selling cars at the age of 17 years old. He has been the backbone of the business ever since and has seen it grow in size and stature making it into the successful business Portland Autos is today.

Clive Watson car sales
1983

We opened our doors

In 1983, Clive decided to take his redundancy from International Harvesters to set up a VAT registered company buying and selling cars. He started as a sole trader, mainly buying from and to the motor trade. Over the following five years strong foundations were established across the Yorkshire motor trade allowing him to move onto the next chapter.

Portland 2000 premises
1988

We moved to Sheffield

An opportunity presented itself to move to an ex Datsun showroom in Sheffield on Rutland Road. This was a change in direction from supplying the motor trade to retailing cars to the general public. The previous owners gave Clive the trading name and that is where Portland Autos was born.

Car sales forecourt Bawtry Portland Autos
1998

We moved to Bawtry

By now, The business was flourishing and Clive decided to move the business to land adjacent to his home where the business still operates on today. Once again, The business vision shifted slightly incorporating more upmarket cars and importing and exporting.

Adam Watson and James Watson
2012

Adam and James join the business

After University, both Adam and James decided to join the family business to give Clive a much needed helping hand. Portland now retails over 80 cars per month and is one of the leading independent car dealers in the country.

Storage Facility Portland Autos
2015

New storage facility

Enabling us to expand further, we gained planning permission for a 40-car indoor storage facility.

Portland autos team
Today

Continued growth

The company is a very proud family run business which employs 13 full time members of staff. It sells over 800 cars a year to customers in the UK, Europe and across the globe. We pride ourselves on providing a fantastic customer experience that is supportive and hassle free.

Meet the team

Clive Watson Portland Autos
Director

Clive Watson

Adam Watson Portland Autos
Sales

Adam Watson

James Watson Portland Autos
Sales

James Watson

Rob Wright Portland Autos
Sales

Rob Wright

Sales

Josh Daniels

Matthew Smethurst Portland Autos
Head of Preparation

Matthew Smethurst

Gavin Shawcroft Portland Autos
Vehicle Preparation

Gavin Shawcroft

Dan Brooks Portland Autos
Vehicle Preparation

Dan Brooks

Matt Amsden Portland Autos
Marketing & Photographer

Matt Amsden

Julie Gibson Portland Autos
Administration & Accounts

Julie Gibson

Maggie Watson Portland Autos
Secretary

Maggie Watson

Meet The Team Portland Autos
Valeting

Alex Shawcroft

Bella Portland Autos
Meeter/Greeter

Bella

Chief Of Security

Solo

Entrance of Portland Autos

Come & Visit us

If you’re interested in purchasing a prestige car, simply click the buttons below for directions to our showroom or to contact us today.

Customer
Reviews

"James wot a star super smooth transaction, purchased 72 Plate Defender absolutely as described. Definitely we will come back again, my new car showroom of choice Thank you again"
Steve Gray
"James - Top bloke! Absolutely nothing was too much trouble, very knowledgeable, great stock selection - can’t thank you & the team enough for the hassle free purchase of our new motor! And of course the complimentary bottle🍷 See you when we’re ready for the next 1😃 Highly recommend!!!"
Jay Manion
"I saw a car I liked on the Portland Autos site and started communication with Adam via text message and WhatsApp. Every question was answered promptly and he could not have been more courteous or accommodating of my requirements for information, or erratic contact (I travel quite a lot and..."
Mike Simmonds
"Purchased a Porsche 718 over the phone after seeing the images on the website. The first time I saw the car in the flesh was when I collected it which is something that I would normally be cautious about. However after speaking with Adam and seeing the quality of their..."
Paul Monaghan
"Fantastic , personalised customer service from my initial contact enquiry , to the moment I collected my vehicle . I have dealt with Rob and nothing has been too much trouble, he even made sure my cherished plate was on my vehicle ready for when I collected it . The..."
sharon myers
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