Austin Centenary Weekend at Longbridge.
By
any chance - are you of an age that remembers the days when most cars on
Britain's roads where either Ford's made at Dagenham, Morris's
made at Cowley, or Austin's made at Longbridge?
Driving lessons cost five shillings
for an hours tuition on quiet
roads, and
petrol was sold by the
gallon. Then came the new Austin
A40 Devon!! My first ever employer managed to
get one - brand new in 1950. Black,
with creamy
beige interior, independent front
suspension, real leather seating
- the smell
was something wonderful. It also
had an overhead valve engine - (no need to remove
that plate
on the inner
front
wing to adjust valve
clearances). I wanted one, but as a teenager
earning thirty
shillings a week! Having money
wouldn't have made any difference, as almost all of the
cars were destined for export, leaving UK buyers with three to four
years on the waiting list. Wonderful days which I don't want to
forget. And it appears many others feel the same.
Just a
few years later, other Austin devotees had the same feelings for
the cars manufactured during the first
fifty years by the Austin Motor
Company. So, in July 1955
they staged the Golden Jubilee
Celebration to mark the
first 50 years of Austin, and car making at Longbridge - at
Cofton Park.
As Ju
ly
2005 is now rapidly
approaching, arrangements are being made to Celebrate and
commemorate the founding of the Austin Motor Company, and 100 years of
continuous motor vehicle making at the Longbridge factory.
The dates for the event are, Friday 8th July, Saturday 9th July, and Sunday 10th July 2005. The Centenary event will also be held at Cofton Park, South West Birmingham, close to the Longbridge works, and will be the largest gathering of Austin Motor Vehicles ever held. Arranging and planning the Centenary event is the responsibility of The Federation of Austin Clubs, Registers, and Associations - supported by Greenwoods Exhibitions.
Attractions
include an Autojumble,
Trade Stands, Funfair,
and Beer Tent.
There will also be an opportunity to visit sites of Austin-based
interest including the 'Austin Village'. which was built in 1916 to
accommodate the increased influx of workers during he First World War.
Site Plan.
Event Programme:
Friday Evening - 8th
July.
The Centenary Black Tie Dinner
will be held at the
Chateau Impney Hotel, located just north of
Droitwich Spa on the A38 (between Junction 5 on the M5 and Droitwich Spa
town). More Information:
Application Form.
Saturday Morning. 9th July:
Cavalcade: Procession of 100 vehicles
from Birmingham Victoria Square to Cofton Park, via the Longbridge
factory. More information :
Saturday Afternoon, 9th July.
Parliamentary Classic
Car Run: Will
take place on the Saturday afternoon. 65 cars would set off from
Westminster and others might join them later. They will spend up to an
hour at Cofton Park and charity would benefit.
More Information:
.Saturday
Evening 9th July.
Hog Toast.
Great news - the hog roast is
back on for Saturday evening. More info to follow.
Sunday Morning, 10th July:
A
Celebratory Service of Thanksgiving with the Anglican
Bishop of Birmingham. (Again, subject to confirmation).
Admission Charges:
All
Visitors:
£6.0 per person
each day - with accompanied children under 14 years of age admitted free.
(Please pay on entry).
Accommodation:
Please click
to see listing of establishments offering accommodation in the South
Birmingham area.
Travel Information and Map:
The Logo:
The logo for the event was designed in July 1955 by Jean Beddows for the Golden Jubilee event and adapted for the Centenary Event by Aubrey Edwards. The emblem will be used to mark the event, and hopefully all Austin Enthusiasts world - wide will be familiar with it by the time of the event in July 2005.
During the coming weeks and months, as more information becomes available, it will be added to this page, so please look in from time to time.
