Austin Centenary Weekend at Longbridge:

Joe and Maureen's Page.

With Thanks to Joe and Maureen Vavra, who came over for the Centenary Celebrations from Canberra, Australia.  Read this brilliant account of their Centenary Weekend.
The Austin Centenary Celebration at Longbridge 9 – 10 July 2005

 The original purpose of traveling to the UK was naturally the Centenary Celebrations of Austin and Longbridge. Our trip ended up going for six glorious weeks. On arrival at Heathrow, we finally got to meet the wonderful people from the Austin Sheerline and Princess Club (ASPC), whom I have been emailing for years.

 Maureen and I were given the red carpet treatment, from the time we landed in Heathrow till we parted company. We truly appreciated our hosts, Nickki and Jonathan Pearson with whom we stayed. They took us to their home in Linton, Cambridge via the scenic route. Ah! Cambridge shire has some of the prettiest countryside we saw in England. The lovely thatched roof homes, the narrow, hedge lined winding country roads, the old windmills and the stately manor houses were things we only saw previously on the telly but now we were there looking at them for real. That evening we were taken to dinner over a British ale or two at a traditional and gorgeous local pub called the “Dog and Duck”.

 The next day we toured around Cambridge where we saw canals, the Ely Cathedral and Cambridge University. On the way we heard the shocking news on the radio of the London bombings. If our mates hadn’t had us stay with them we may very well have been staying in London. The thought of what happened there is repulsive.

 That evening Jonathan had arranged a surprise for us, which was to meet his local car club members at a pub called the “Bull”. This is where this club regularly meets, very civilized I thought. It was great to see the old cars – Jaguars, Vauxhall, Humber, Ford Popular, Austin 7, a special build Cadillac roadster and many more.

 It was Friday now and after a very lazy start to the day, our hosts made breaky after which Jonathon took me to see a private collection of shiny Sheerlines and pristine Princesses (including an authentic Princess Landaulet Limo, number 12 of 18 built). All I can say is that it was just brilliant that he took me to see them. I would hate to pay for the storage shed or was it a hangar. Maureen went with Nickki shopping (compared to seeing cars that would be exciting – not!).

 That afternoon we traveled to Birmingham with Maureen reclining in the rear lounge of a magnificently posh and shiny DM4 Austin Princess Limousine and me in a very rare and limited production, hand-built, drop dead Austin Sheerline - a DH1 Hearse. Jonathan asked me if traveling the hearse bothered me, I replied "the view through the windscreen was the great". Maureen preferred to travel in the DM4 saying her time will come soon enough and she preferred not to travel in the hand built, limited production vehicle. Both cars travelled and ran very smoothly as we travelled the highways to Birmingham.

 I don't know why but as we approached Birmingham I could feel the adrenalin pump and an excitement building within. I think it was the anticipation of meeting the ASPC members combined with actually visiting the birthplace of so many of our Austins - Longbridge. It was most unfortunate though that the Rover – MG plant was forced to close down displacing so many workers. It makes one wonder about the effect on the families of those workers – I am sure it would make Herbert Austin most distressed.

 We arrived at the hotel to be greeted in the car park by people standing around Austins, obviously owners and enthusiasts. We made our way, carrying more baggage than necessary (man’s point of view), into the Hotel to check in. Our progress was arrested as I spied a number of dodgy looking characters loitering around the foyer. They were obviously ASPC members who were there for the same reason as us. It was a thrill meeting each and every one of them as they welcomed us. After depositing our baggage in the room and having a quick tub, we met downstairs for dinner and a quiet drink or two then retired exhausted (still a little jet lagged).

 We were invited to be passengers, next morning, in the Cavalcade of Austins, in a magnificent light metallic green DS1 Sheerline. The Cavalcade of 100 or so different Austin models would depart from the centre of Birmingham city in the procession to Longbridge. We took a few photos and the signal was given for vehicles to prepare to move. As each vehicle was waved off by the Mayor of Birmingham, each driver was given a commemorative medallion. Hugh, our driver, whispered to the kind man something about “do you think you could spare a medallion for our friends from Australia?”. The reply with a broad smile was “But of course – it’s the least we can do seeing they made the effort to attend”. Well weren’t we chuffed. Not bragging or anything but what a souvenir to take home.

 The start of the procession was “interesting”. You see there were no marshals to direct us. The procession had disappeared out of sight. Before too long due to Hugh’s superior navigation skills, despite the ribbing from his passengers, we were back on track. We waved the Aussie flag as we motored along the spectator lined route (thinly lined in some spots). We quickly arrived at a point where we saw the Longbridge factory – no big deal for the locals but for us it represented something akin to visiting one of the great wonders of the world, a century of being the birthplace to so many vehicles. The plant is as big as a city all on its own. We traveled for some time before we reached the extremities of its many buildings.

 We had arrived at Cofton Park, just across from the plant and the celebratory gathering place of staunch Austin enthusiasts with their many and varied vehicles. My eyes did not know which way to look – Austins were everywhere. There was a whole paddock set aside for Austin 7, 8 and 10s, Hundreds of them. We progressed into a small arena where each Cavalcade vehicle entered to be introduced to those waiting to see them. Soon after we found the other D Series (Sheerline & Princess) vehicles and their owners, some of whom had managed to secure a shady spot under a tree or two. After a quick introduction around the members, my camera and I were off; Working overtime capturing the many DS1, DS2, DS3, DS7, DM1, DM4 vehicles incase it was all a dream and they should all of a sudden disappear. What a lovely collection of D series, they are all a credit to their owners.

 I strained as if on the leash like a puppy eager to go for a walk, when a member said “come on Joe & Maureen let’s go and have a look around”. Now I haven’t told you yet but that weekend Birmingham experienced a heat wave complete with humidity. Well the sight and reflection of uncovered white English flesh was blinding – I had to put on my sunglasses. But never mind before too long the white turned to red J.

 We saw just about every model Austin made along with some fine examples of late model Rovers and MGs. Wolseleys were also there to mark the relationship to Herbert Austin. There were hardtops and soft tops and some with no tops. There were Trucks (oops sorry Lorries) and commercial vehicles from the tiny Austin 7 and A30 pick ups through to a delightful and beautifully restored A70 Hampshire shooting break. There was the Austin fire-engine from the Longbridge plant and another with an extendable ladder. There was a DA3 Princess Ambulance in very nice condition. There were London Austin Taxis. Two Austin campers graced the side of the hill among Cambridge A50s, A60s, A90s, Westminsters, Vanden Plas Rs and 3 liter.

 How about the huge display by the hospitable members of the Austin Counties Car Club – with an extremely rare and restored Austin A40 Dorset 2 door flanked by no less than eleven A40 Jensen bodies sports, many A40 Devons, Somersets, some A70 Hampshires, Herefords, a nice arrangement of Atlantics, a big Austin-Healey and pre war oldies. I was given an autographed booklet as a memento of our visit from this club. The booklet was printed only two days previous and would not be released for yet another week. I clutched it in my hot little hands. The booklet contains a collection of Austin advertisements and shows the location where each photograph was taken. What a gift – and the first one in the world to be issued. We are now members. Our 1953 Countryman now carried a Counties Club badge generously given to us by one of the members, who point blank refused to take payment for it.

 A clutch of A30s including two after manufacture convertibles and a rare pickup from the A30 Car Club graced the silhouette of the hill top. The four rows of A40 Farinas by the friendly A40 Farina Car Club would blow the minds of those with Farinas in OZ. My attention was captured by a unique early Austin 12 with a crank wind up and down soft top – who would think they made one. I saw a hundred or more Austin 12, 16 and huge 20s in rows looking splendid. The beautiful Edwardian Veteran Austins courtesy of the British Motoring Heritage Trust, were parked at their display tent. How about the Austin tractor and oh! so much more. Austin Minis in their droves, 1100s, 1800s, Allegros and late model 4 cylinder, wedge nosed Princesses were all there. What about the beautifully restored Metropolitans, hours of work there.

 Sadly, what about the forlorn DM4 Princess Limousine in extremely bad condition with a promise from its owner to be restored, he is an Ex-Longbridge Plant worker – good luck and hope he has lots of money. Now the best till last – the beautiful, most meticulously restored, silver grey 1950 DS1 Sheerline parked on its own. A restoration of this caliber does not come without many hours of dedicated labour and a truckload (sorry Lorry load) of money. In any case what ever the effort and expense was, it was a delight to see what I consider to be the nicest restored example in every aspect of an Austin Sheerline - a true credit to its owner.

 During the course of the weekend I rode as a passenger in a DH1 Sheerline Hearse, a DS1 Sheerline, a DM4 Princess Limousine and a DS7 Princess. I sat in and had a really good look at most of the ASPC vehicles there. I hope I didn’t leave any drool on the seats.

 When we purchased our DM4 Princess “Elizabeth” there were many loose bits that came with her. Only one part had me stumped as to its purpose or place in the car. It is chrome, about 24 inches long with a spring loaded clip at one end. Whilst inspecting a DM4 Princess like ours, I spotted the same part. It is located above the driver’s door and operates the Holland blind at the rear window. Lucky I didn’t throw mine in the scrap bin. How about that!!

 It was a real bonus when on the morning of the second day a chap offered a set of D Series vehicle blue prints for sale. They were rescued some time ago from a Longbridge rubbish bin. Naturally the club snapped them up at a very reasonable negotiated price. It would be brilliant to be able to have copies made for purchase by club members. We were very fortunate that a member from Wales was there to intercept the blue prints, otherwise they may have fallen into the hands of an individual enthusiast and never seen again.

 Now there are probably many things I have not mentioned and will remember later but that is the beauty of having been there and enjoying the experience, so, you can only ask questions of me and rely on what I have told you.

 However, one thing worth a mention is the Autojumble (swap meet to the rest of the world). We spent a good few hours looking at all the stalls - twice. Anyone with enough folding cash could have built a dozen or more Austin 7s using the parts offered on sale. One vendor was trying to sell Lucas P100 headlight lenses for 80 pounds each – yeh! right! Mate. I don’t think so. There was one vendor who had a 12 inch high stack of Austin A40 head gaskets. I did make a few discrete purchases only to be surprised to find Maureen looking over my shoulder, but she gave me a wink of approval and encouraged the purchase of a few more bits – I tell you that is a moment to be savoured – it does not happen often.

 The end comes to all good things and so did it for the Celebration. It was a bit sad as the ASPC members started to pack up. Almost a bit sadder for one member, when his gorgeous light silver bronze over light blue DS7 Princess slipped off the ramps as he was loading it onto the car trailer. Lucky there was no damage to the car – with a great deal of help from the team of members, the car was eventually loaded and secured for travelling. I don’t think he will forget that near catastrophe in a hurry. Don’t even ask why he was trailering a perfectly sound and beaut looking 2.5 Ton car and towing it with a Toyota Hilux.

 Some members had unfortunately already started to depart. Maureen realising this, with the agility of a Blue Healer, mustered the remaining lot into a group and co-opted a passing Austineer to take a photo. He was busy for quite a while because there were a number of cameras thrust into his hands as all realised it was a good idea to have a memento. We must admit parting was sad because we didn’t know when we would see all those wonderful folks again.

 Maureen and I are most grateful to everyone who helped make our visit memorable. We hope that one day we can help them share the same experience should they land on Aussie soil to visit.

Our congratulations go to those who organized the celebration, the result of their efforts and the good weather made it an outstanding success.

 Well that’s our experience of the Austin Centenary Celebration. I hope you enjoyed reading it and that somehow I managed to paint a virtual image of what we saw and did.

 Regards,

Joe & Maureen.

Canberra, Australia.
 5th October 2005.

Joe and Maureen's Austins:

The latest addition to the family 2006.