Forget a Jaguar, lion is garage’s mane event
“KEEP clear of the lioness” – not the traditional warning sign you would expect when buying a new car.
But that’s exactly what customers at Harvey’s Garages in Penarth Road, Cardiff, were faced with in the 1960s.
The garage, owned by Cardiff millionaire Norman Harvey, at one point had its very own resident lioness.
With a flair for publicity, Norman took the saying “Putting a tiger in your tank” quite literally and came home with Sheba.
Weighing over 160lb at just four months old, the unusual pet was brought to the Welsh capital from Birmingham in late 1968.
While she was usually chained up in front of customers, it was not uncommon for the queen of the jungle to wander around the garage – and unless the customer had warned of their visit, they’d likely be faced with the beast roaming free.
At the time, Sheba’s owner, Norman Harvey, said: “She is a fantastic animal, and I can do anything with her.
“She’s getting a bit strong for me now, but she has a good temperament and there are no problems with her.”
With her inch-long claws and piercing green eyes, it’s easy to see why members of staff were wary of her. Nevertheless, Sheba became famous among the people of Cardiff, with many stopping off at the garage to pay her a visit.
“She could tear a man’s arm off but I’ve trained her not to, she keeps them [her claws] in when she is playing around,” said Mr Harvey.
“I think she is going to be a loyal animal – much better than a guard dog. Obviously if there were any problems I’d have to think of getting rid of her.”
While there were believed to be no incidents involving the beauty, Sheba was eventually given to a safari park after Penarth council grew concerned.