Les Johnson ran a grimy new car sales lot which was visited by Brian Tilsley and Gail Potter in May 1979 when he was persuaded to sell his motorbike and buy a car instead. Les tried to lead Brian towards the more expensive cars and gave the usual salesman’s patter on the cheaper models but Brian wasn’t taken in. When Brian showed interest in one car which needed some work on it, Les told him to make his mind up quickly as his cheaper cars moved quickly but Brian pointed out that snow from February was still under the vehicle.