Good luck with the event, best wishes David Thompson.
I found you via a link on the ATDC website. Very pleased to find out aboout you and your Centenary Event. I have three elderly Austins: a 37 10 Cambridge (my first car ownwd now for 47 years), a 37 Big 7 (owned for only 11 years) and a 38 28hp Ranelagh Limousine (owned for 6 years and one of only two still in existence - they only built 350 or so of these monsters with their 4.1 litre straight six side valve engines at 17'2" long they are the same size and weight as a RR silver cloud and the bonnet isn't much shorter either. Good luck with the organisation Kind Regards Vic Hind
A very interesting site. Heaps of information. I have a site too - at www.vintagecar.netfirms.com where I am restoring an Austin A40 Devon. Austins are the best cars ever made - down with all others!!!! Have a happy day everyone.
I wish you well with the great event, and will make every effort to get there. When I was young my father had an Austin Big 7 ( EO 7083 ), an Austin 10 ( GYM 420 ), an A40 Countryman (BHD 789), an A35 van (346 GTE): after we sold it, it appeared in the local newspaper having crashed, with a whole football team in it! An A55 (DEO 399) was the last, annd I learned to drive in it. I then had an A55, then an A60, both very friendly cars. In successive years they took us to Spain (lads), and the A60 crossed its 100 000 doing 80mph, near Avignon. The drive from Barcelona to Paris took 13 hours ( I think it was 780 miles ). Three days after our return, a rear spring broke : a VERY friendly car. Then a Mini, then a Princess. Wonderful memories. I have also been to the Centenaries of Peugeot, Leyland and Tatra.
I am definately coming to the 100 Year Austin Anniversary. Having been born and bred in Birmingham and had relatives work at the Austin a return is a must. I own a 1937 Big Seven , 1951 A40 Devon, 1957 A50 Cambridge all restored and on the button plus a 1970 A60 Pickup under restorstion. Cannot wait for July 2005 regards to all Austin enthusiasts.
We are planning our 2005 holiday dates around this event & will drive up in our 1929 16/6. We want to camp, & possibly bring our small camping trailer with all the necessary stuff. Are we able to park the Austin with the tents for us campers? We would prefer to if possible. Good luck for this event. Really looking forward to it.
Have a lt 12/4 open road tourer,1936. looking forward to the centenary event. Good site. Regards
Keeping my A40 Devon on the road is a labour of love and gives me the opportunity to be a part of the remembering process of a vehicle manufacturer who was one of the direct causes of the automibile industies fantastic rate of progress in just 100 years. Fantastic web site
I DO OWN A BN-2 1956 AND I AM VERRY HAPPY TO HAVE A WEB SITE LIKE YOURS ,KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK .IS BMW STILL WORKING ON A NEW AUSTIN HEALY ?REGARDS MARTIN
Thank You For Inviting Me To Sign Your Guest Book I Own A 1938 Austin Cambridge, I Am A Member Of The Austin Ten Drivers Club.... You Have A Wonderful Website Well Done. Kindest Regards Gordon
Good to see there is a website to commerate the centerary of AUSTIN,I wish I was able to attend next year,pleased that I will be able to keep up with the celebration.
I started work in 1948 in the truck rectification dept when Harry Austin was the super. I think the place where Herbert lived over here is not far from here at Barwon Park Winchelsea which was built by the Austin family. They also brought the rabbit problem to Australia .
An interesting site, and one which I shall be following in the coming months. Hope to be present at the centenary event.
First time I have seen your website,found it most interesting and will be back for more!Hope to bring my 12/4 to the celebrations next year
We are joining a group of friends from New Zealand and plan to become involved with the celebrations. Would you please advise us of any information which may be helpful to us. e.g. How do we register?
I am a member of the Essex Austin 7 Club and will be at the event with my 1938 RUBY (CNX742). The web site is turning out to be a very useful source of information about the event.
Great site, I own at present a 1969 Austin 1800 and a 1953 Austin A30 and will be going to the Australian 100 years of Austin events. Hope to see some pictures from UK and will send some from down under if I get some good ones Peter A. J
Greetings and congatulations on your quality website. I am looking forward to being at the centenary as I was at the 50th and still have some memorabilia (somewhere). I remember it well, particularly the parade and the commentary by the 'fruity voiced' Kenneth Horne. Best of luck to everyone involved in this event.
Planning to attend in July as part of a vacation trip with my spouse KC. Currently own an Austin Healey 100 M (1956)
An owner of 3 mini's as a young man I never forgot the pleasure that those vehicles gave me. Now in retirement (and somewaht larger) I have purchased an 1800 to restore. I am about 80% there. Hopefully I will get to the UK next year to be part of the celebrations.
I HAVE A 1938 10 CAMBRIDGE THAT I HAVE VERTUALLY FINISHED RESTORING AND NEED A PAIR OF RUBBER RUNNING BOARDS TO BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THE VEHICLE AND WOULD BE VERY GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD HELP. THANKYOU.
I am restoring a '36'37 Ruby. I felt in love with my first Ruby several years ago when I met one in London very close to Lord Nelson statue in Trafalgar Square. Since then I began a very long and tiresome research here in Argentina to find one. The last year a man sold me my Ruby in a very poor condition. Now the car is in process of restoration. I had the help of a very good english friend, Mr. Andrew jarmin who gave a very soundy engine. If your club is intrest I can send more details. Regards Fernando de Arostegui
I am the editor of the Austinette, the magazine for the Austin A90 Atlantic Car Club of Australia. I am going to print some details of your centenary in our next magazine to be published in late November. We have three Austin A90's, 2 hardtops and 1 convertible and 1 A70 Hereford. We would like to be able to come over for the Austin celebrations next year - here's hoping we can get there!
I am the proud owner of a 1928 Austin Seven, and a member of the Austin Seven Club of Canada. I plan to be in Europe next July and certainly would like to attend the Austin Centenary. I wish I could bring my little car with me!! It would be very helpful to get information about places to stay, events scheduled as the program matures, etc., so that we can begin to plan our trip. Please keep us informed. Good luck with what sounds like a fabulous event.
Would it be possible to mention a new run for classic cars in North Yorkshire next year? The Herriot Mini Run takes place on Sunday 3rd July 2005 and is open to all Austin, Morris and British Leyland classics. The run starts from Thirsk, North Yorkshire and each car that completes the event will receive a certificate, t-shirt, car plaque, sticker and other goodies. For more information, please visit our website: http://herriotminirun.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk or drop us an email to: herriotminirun@fsmail.net We look forward to seeing you there!!
hi blue bear how are you are you alrite i hpe you are any way is the others alrite ihope they are to to blue bear and his friends from amarna
Great site.
Excellent site. Keep up the good work. Needs a few tweeks on the front page and compatability with Macs. Other than that great. Pip Austin Maxi OC
Came specifically looking for the weekend schedule of events for the 2005 Centenial Celebration. Unfortunately this is not yet displayed.
Fresh looking site, promising, good luck with the Centenary celebrations.
Perhaps our Aussie friends could let the A7CA Registrar have details of their A7's for inclusion in the Register of Surviving A7's, due to be published in Jan 2005 ready for the Anniversary. The Registrar has been trying for a long time to get details, so far without luck. Sandy Croall Check http://www.a7ca.org/
Excellent start for next year, Mike. Let's hope all visitors pas the word on about both the site and the centenary Event.....
Excellent start for next year, Mike. Let's hope all visitors pas the word on about both the site and the centenary Event.....We will certainly be visiting as part of the Ridgeway Austins Group visit.
looking forward to this event and will definately be there !!! Any idea of costs for viewing events ??? Are they open to the public ??
Pleased to see the ever expanding number of web sites for Austins.... looking forward to the celebrations. Will be there in My 1930 A7 owned since 1957. Good Luck Mac
Looking forward to the event having lived within walking distance of the works and having completed my apprenticeship there
I will try my best to be there with my 1949 A40Devon. It is a unique event that I want to be part. Austin is embedded in me since my childhood. Our regular taxi back in Mauritius was a 1938 Austin 10. My first car was an A40 Devon. All the best for a grandiose event.
I just can belive it! So many people workig and loving Austin Marque.Im so Happy to know about comming events! I own four Austins Mini,Allegro3,A70 Hampshire, and A55 pick up.God Save AUSTIN of England!!!!
Just found your site,very good indeed.Ilook forward to any updates.I have run Austin 7s since 1962.I have a 1928 Chummy and a 1929 Fabric Saloon
I have a 1962 Austin A40 MkII Farina, registration 21 VKN. It is restored, and I am only the second owner, having had the car since June 1964. The car has done 160,000 miles ( I have done all but 6,500 of those miles). The engine is the original, although recently overhauled, and I should very much like to take part in next July's event. I am not a member of the A40 Farina Owners Club. Any information would be appreciated.
Great sirte - just joined the Austin gang with a 1984 Ambassador - hope to be there in July 05
We are funeral directors in East London who are currently using an Austin 16/6 as part of our fleet!
Had we all better have a crash course in one of the many Chinese languages for this event, now that Phoenix appear ready to sell out to the Far East ? I'd like to be able to understand the commentary that may be made over the tannoy system !!! What would Sir Herbert say to all this ????
Very interesting web site. looking forward to the event in July and meeting lots of old friends. My first car in 1962 was a 1935 A7 Ruby and my first event the 1963 Beaulieu A7 Rally. Now runnung 2 vintage heavy 12/4s and looking for another A7.
Looking forward to the party...we spend a lot of time in the UK and always enjoy expanding our travels. I recently bought an FX3 that may be too big of a restoration project but might work as a restomod...undecided as yet. I did just buy a VP Princess Mk I that I anticipate using as a daily driver. Cheers! see you in July!!
Hi and congratulate on Your 100 yearday! I have restored one of to Finland imported sports GD3-52 and are now working on my GD2-51. It is only imported 3 sports to Finland and i am now lucky to own too of them. I am going to visit England in July and see all Your beautiful Austins! Merry Christmas!
As a fan of the British car and in particular, the Austin marque, I wish you well with your endeavours this coming summer and hope to be in Birmingham to witness the parade. DBG
Hi, I thought the London to Brighton Run in April was part of the centinary events calender please advise, Jon
Maureen and I are looking forward to coming to the UK to help celebrate this Austin milestone in history. We own a 1949 Austin A40 Tourer, 1953 Austin A40 Countryman, 194? Austin Sheerline Saloon and 1964 DM4 Austin Vanden Plas Princess Limousine. As you see our illness is terminal. Looking forward to being there to feed our passion in Austins.
Hello,Just surf'n the net and found your site.I'm in the process ...(maybe that's not the word I should use).I've got a 1948 Austin A40 Dorset and a 1950 Austin A40 Dorset.Trying to get them on the road.It seems that every nut and bolt is an adventure in itself!I've added your site to my "favorites" Good Luck!
hello i absolutely love Austin's especially the Metro's. At the moment i am persifically looking for a C-E Reg New shape Austin Metro. If anyone has one just let me know! Excellent site by the way! Elliott
Thanks for your email dated boxing day and I hope to be there with my Austin Montego! David Geere
owner of 1932 austin tourer and 1972 austin mini cooper
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE A.T.D.C NATIONAL RALLY AND SEE THE INSIDE OF LONGBRIDGE?
i am the owner of a 1982 pricess 2 shes bronze and in good condition and has a full M.O.T with only 28,000 miles on the clock thinking of selling her as ive just moved house and dont have drive space for an extra car send me a mail .
good site,my father-in-law has a 1929 austin 7 had it for about 40 yrs now not run since 1982 turns over but no spark could any body shed sum light on what the problem may be thxs
I own a 1928 Austin Clifton Tourer 5tt model. This is in the final stages of a full restoration. Date on rear axle housing 4-7-1928.
I wish that I could attend this event, I had worked at the Austin Motor Co as a New car tester from 1959 till 1963, I came to Canada I 1963.I have a 1951 MG-TD now.
Chairman.....Pre-War Austin Seven Club plc.
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm ?????!!! do you do AUSTIN ALLEGRO 1100cc deluxe with 79k on clock ????????????? (after spares ((repair wing panels)))
Hello, we are looking forward to visit the Austin Centenary in July with our Austin Princess DS 5. At the moment the car is preparing for new paint, and hopefully it will be finish soon. Please cross your fingers that the Princess keeps rolling on this long jurney. best Regards, Bert
am proud owner of 1959 A40 Farina Mk 1 found the site very interesting.
Hi, Great site.I have loved Austin cars and all BL cars since I was young and yes took all the stick from my friends. But have remained loyal. Does anybody have any information on testing new cars in the early years. I have a large collection of papers concerning BL cars From the early 70s,these include type speechs by Michael Edwards and Roy Horricks and many copies of Sale Talk a company news brochure if anybody is intrested in looking at any of my collection we could meet at the Centenary Celebrations. Im not to hot on the mechanical side but love the cars and the company and welcome any information about Austin.
I have a booklet entitled 'Running and Maintenance Instructions' from a 1949 Austin 16 together with the jacking system from the car. Are these two items of interest to any Austin car enthusiast
Please keep the information flow coming
Today a MG enthusiast, my first car was a Austin 850 1963 Old English White, a lovely little car !
Excellent site. I have owned a number of Austins during the years. My first car was an Austin Ten/4 Lichfield US 9011. I replaced that with an Austin 8 Saloon HPU 558. I was disappointed not to see the 8Saloon in your gallery of pics, although it is in a feature in Auto Express issue 848 Inside Story Longbridge hits the Ton! I hope to get up to Birmingham to see some of the display. You may be intrested to know I still have a BMC product - a Wolseley 4/44 Saloon 1955 and am a member of The Wolseley Register (5793). Hope all goes well Mike Coates
I am a member of the Austin Seven club in Western Australia I would like to wish you all the best for your centenary celebrations.
I would like to have any information about Austin A-10 1937 model. Tahk you very much.-
hello, I own and hope to bring along in July, an early Austin 1800, a pre-production car, chassis 17. Is there anybody in your club who might have any information on pre-production cars, or even that period at Longbridge. It belonged originally to the Marketing Dept., and then Mr Arthur Price who lived in Droitwich. Apparently it wnet to Scotland for a pre-production launch. Thanks, Michael
Hi We are members of the Austin Vintage Register of New Zealand. (Auckland Club) We have a l935 Austin Lichfield in excellent working order and an Austin 7 which should be fully restored pretty soon. We are planning to come to the Centenery, would love to catch up with some members while there
For the sake of the workforce and suppliers of MG Rover, I'm sure we all wish the possible joint venture between Phoenix/ Shanghai Motor Co/ UK Govt. £100m investment, every success, but painfully, it does not look too promising. If it should go pear shaped, where will this leave the Centenary Event ? I understand Phoenix were a sponsor for the Rally ? Perhaps someone from the organising side can let us all know the situation as it evolves, possibly on the front page of this site ?
I will be in the UK during the celebration weekend and I look forward to joining you. Thank you for an informative website, but don't be surprised at the Australian interest. If it wasn't for the Australian "market" in the 1950's and the development of the manufacturing base here the Austin company would have found it very difficult to keep operating.
just been given what we think is an a40 somerset that has been in blackberries for 20 years.a long term restoration project. fortunately the car is complete and all things considered body rust is minimal.we were able to identify the car from similar photos on this website so, thanks for your help even though you didn't know bob & julia
Congratulations on an excellent site. Found an article in an English Magazine enabling us to find this site. We own a 1924 Austin 20 tourer, 1929 Austin 7 Saloon (body by Holden), 1937 Ausitn 7 Tourer, and a 1937 Ruby Saloon. We are making enquires regarding taking a vehicle to the event. Unfortunately cost and insurance will be a factor.
Congratulations on an excellent site. Found an article in an English Magazine enabling us to find this site. We own a 1924 Austin 20 tourer, 1929 Austin 7 Saloon (body by Holden), 1937 Ausitn 7 Tourer, and a 1937 Ruby Saloon. We are making enquires regarding taking a vehicle to the event. Unfortunately cost and insurance will be a factor.
At last a site dedicated to the great man and his cars. I came across the site via a link, I'm glad I did. Wish you well with the 100th anniversary.
Looking forward to our trip. I have been invovled with Austin 7's since 1952. Will be good to catch up with our friends and others that share the same passion.
Tony - Just keeping myself up to date! - Peter
I am a Morris Commercial Cars Ltd Ex-Apprentice. I am anxious to establish what became of our Motor Club silverware when our club folded. In particular the "Henly Trophy" and "Clubman Trophy", both large perpetuals that may have been passed to the Austin Apprentices Motor Club. The MCC & Austin clubs were quite close and had many co-promotions in 60's. With present sad situation at Longbridge, where are these trophys? are they safe? Our ex-apprentices association is re-convened within the "Morris Commercial Club", see website. www.morriscommercialclub.co.uk Any news I recieve I will pass to the committee
I will be atteding the celebrations in my 1923 Austin 12/4. Hopefully my brother Phillip Davis with 35 years service with the Austin and one of those 5000 workers laid off this month will be with us too.
Gefeliciteerd met het 100 jarig bestaan van het auto-merk Austin. Wij hopen met onze austin 1100 glider langs te komen.
Hi there I'm the proud owner of a 1954 A40 Somerset. Very sorry to hear of the closure of MG Rover and the loss of so many jobs and the last British volume car manufacturer. Hope the centenary celebrations go well.
As a young teenager I undertook a school project which was the history of the BMC. This site brought back fond memories.
Pleased to see that Rally appears to be going ahead. I have very early Rover 75 Left Hand Drive Registered on S plate Jan 99 Used in Launnch and as demonstrator in Cannes France. Not a Longbridge product so probably not welcome! 1958 Frogeye Sprite 1956 Early Austin A35 owned since 1972 I think that will have to be car of choice. I am trying to find one of the MG ZT 260 SE with a V8 engine at the right price. Any ideas welcome. I have tried many ex Rover dealers and MG Rover Direct at Longbridge who are still selling stock cars from within Q Gate Tel 0121 482 5961. Prices are keen but not give-away!
Good site, Hope to see all my old Essex AUSTIN 7 CLUB mates at this event and catch up on all the gosip.
enjoyable site
If ownership of SKODA by the VW group can turn a joke car firms products into cars people want to buy it shows that BMW didn't really try at Longbridge and Towers and his pals didn't care. Hopefully from the ashes someone will be able to rebuild a viable business. Why not call it Austin?
Best wishes to everyone. The sad events of recent weeks at Rover should make people realise what they have lost through apathy and ignorance. Lets hope that as many people turn up at the Centenary as possible. I would like to suggest that all marques from the BL group should be welcome to attend, even if a special parking area is allocated for cars built at Longbridge and another lot for all other ex-BL vehicles. This will demonstrate strongly how much affection MG Rover and its predecessor companies command. There is interest in restarting production from two parties, if the Press is to be believed; a strong display of loyalty from marque enthusiasts can only be a positive thing.
Congratulations for you celebrating the Austin Centenary and 100 years of car producing in Longbridge. We drove cars from your factory since the seventies and have a classic Mini (1972)in our garage, for daily driving my wife has a Rover 200 and I drive a Rover 75 CDTI. We regret the demise of Longbridge MG Rover and hope, that once production of British cars will be continued there: new AUSTIN cars please!
We are looking forward to the rally we will be coming in our Austin Ten Lichfield which we have owned since 1974. We are a member of N>E>C>P>W>A> Northeast Club for Pre war Austins. Does anyone know if there is anywhere to park a car trailer. Hoping for a nice sunny weekend Eric and Anne
Nice site, found when cruising the web. Pity about the death-throes of Longbridge. I learned to drive in my sister's 1939 (NZ) Austin Big 7, registered in September so one of the last new cars before war stopped imports. I drove it in the early 1970s when it had something like 36,000miles on the clock. One day we parked next to an older one, with wire wheels, with 28,000 miles only! We also owned a very tired '57 A55, grey with cream two tone (you could get cream with grey too! i.e. the colours the other way around). Dad bought it because most of Auckland's taxis were A60/Morris Oxfords or variants, regarded is reliable, but they were too expensive, so we got the older 1500cc beast. In my opinion it was a hideous car. Heavy, waddling, underpowered, column change, everything inside symmetrical but not at all ergonomic. My sister pulled the starter at speed when she wanted the wipers! She also put into overdrive at speed, except we didn't have overdrive, so re-engaging third nearly bust the motor! It burned oil by the gallon, and the suspension sagged alternately left and right at the beginning and end of a hard holiday trip over unsealed Coromandel roads. Third gear failed, probably because I chopped down too frequently. It wiped out horribly in front of another car on a wet greasy road; I heeded a sign indicating a steep hill and gunned it, but the curve was steeper than the hill, and Newton took over! And we had overlooked the need for those funny wiggly lines on all the tyres! One was bald. Then the brakes failed one Sunday, at a "T" junction onto a main road, going to church! He must have been looking after us because the chopping down experience came in handy, to third then second. The pistol-grip handbrake got used too but it wasn't so effective. The car going down the main road swerved around us tooting furiously. The Big 7 was lovely, except the top hose split one day and the water blew out the bonnet side vents and streaked down the bodysides leaving the car looking like a Lancaster bomber back from an arduous mission over Germany! Eventually she (my sister, the driver and owner) stopped. The total damage was that some of the radiator top tank solder came away. The engine itself was indestructable! We never fixed the rad properly as we couldn't afford to. One memorable journey was from Auckland over the harbour bridge to Orewa beach. It must have been around Christmas 1972. One of the rear "parachute" or "suicide" doors popped open near the top of the harbour bridge, and swung back against the bodyside. The girl in that seat went to lean out and grab it. I yelled to leave it alone. We slowed, and once over the bridge summit with no-one behind I braked sharply and the door swung forward again. Then we delighted in rocketing up the motorway past brand new Aussie monsters such as Holden Broughams and Valiant Regals with "Running in please pass" signs in their back windows! You see import restrictions were just coming off allowing these expensive cars into New Zealand! We were easily doing the 60 mph limit. We occasionally had to stop to top up the radiator from a glass half-G (half gallon beer jar) which rattled around the rear footwell. The Big 7 brakes were woeful. I just managed to WHOA! the old girl in Queen Street outside the Town Hall when an old dowager's mayoral-style Daimler stopped in the traffic lane to let her alight. The steering had a quarter-turn free play which made the first-ever driving lesson in Auckland's rush hour a lane-and-a-half affair! But it was responsive, proven when a trolley-bus, about 11 tons tare, anything up to 20 loaded, pulled out across my path! I managed to swing around the back of it and regain my original path! We called this car the Puddle Jumper. It only let me down once, when a rear hub leaked diff oil into the brakes, which had to be boiled in dishwashing detergent. This was the day before my driving test, so I had to take the A55 which I had never driven before..... I failed. Fortunately some more practice and I got my licence a little later on the second attempt, still aged 15 (yes that is the driving age in NZ). We loved the Puddlejumper, or Hottentot, I'm not sure why. We had to part with it to get the deposit for something else, now forgotten. The A55 was big and practical, and lasted for years, in a sort of plateau of decay! It was largely easy to fix, except the sharply narrowing chassis rails under the bonnet area combined with an engine block design going back pre-WW2 meant changing the oil-filter or doing anything with the distributor was very difficult indeed. The nasiest thing I saw happen to an Austin was an A50 struck by a Commer truck on the rear wing. It shot into the air and rolled landing on the roof. There was much blood and crying as the Maori family inside emerged battered, bruised and bleeding, but all alive. The image engraved in my memory is of all their fish and chips flying out the windows as the car rolled!! Their meal was the biggest victim, apart from the Austin, which lost the wing, and the roof was rather flat. I guess I drove home again later! I don't think they had seatbelts, though I put Kangol magnetic ones in the A55. Drilling the floor took about half an hour for each hole so hard was the steel. Good luck to you all with the Centenary. Keep the Flying-A flying! Regards George Gray, from New Zealand, now in Ireland.
I just came across this site. My father would of been proud of it. He served his apprenticeship at Longbridge as a tool and die maker, his name was Eric Coughlin. We must keep the Austin name alive!
Tengo un Austin 8 1947, que estoy restaurando, quisiera saber si puedo conseguir fotos, folletos, y todo lo relativo a este auto, a fin de poder seguir con la restauracion, sobre todo del interior.- Desde ya muy agradecida.-
This Lady's name is Claudia - she has recently bought an Austin 8 1947, which she is presently restoring. She would be grateful for information about the car, some pictures, an owners manual, and brochures. Information about the cars interior would be a great help to Claudia.
We are grateful to Andres Chapman - Buenos Aires,
for the translation.
Website 19th June 2005.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Hi, I need to Austin Rover Montego 2,0 turbo diesel front and rear axle weights capacity. Thanks for intresting Have nice days....
In view of recent events, I am particularly keen to try and get to your event. I was born within the sound of the works hooter (I have a recollection that it was known as "The Bull") and both my Grandfathers and my Father worked at the Austin. I have two gold watches, one given to my Paternal Grandfather in 1955 for 25 years service, appropriately inscribed, and one given to my Maternal Grandfather by workers at the Aero Engine factory in 1943, also inscribed. The latter eventually became Works Manager at Longbridge until his retirement in 1960 due to ill-health. I also have his copy of the book that was published to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the Austin Motor Company in 1955. I remember Cofton Park well, as one set of Grandparents lived on one side of the park in Lickey Road and the others lived on the other side at the bottom of Grovely Lane. As a child I frequently had to go from Lickey Road to Grovely Lane across the park, accompanied only by a large Airedale Terrier, which Grandfather Spear used to breed. This particular animal used to escort me up and across the Lickey Road, through the park and see me across Grovely Lane before returning home!
Can any one help me? I am trying to find some information on my grandfather, Henry Charles Coughlin. He worked at Austin between the 1920's and 1939, when he retired. I understand he worked in the engine plant. Any information would be appreciated.
I am looking to find the web page of the ex apprentices association of the Austin Motor Co in the UK. As a an ex myself am keen to join the group and seek more info on the celebrations
T1:
Robert George Dewsnap
T2:
Sölvesborg, Sweden
T3:
Date:
25 Jun 2005
Time:
15:59:51
Remote User:
Comments
Thank you for your excellent website. - Re the Dixi 3/15 PS, the German version of the Austin Seven, for anyone who is interested: - the structural engineer who, on Sir Herbert Austin's personal recommendation of 25 March 1927, went out from Longbridge to Eisenach, where he fitted out and ran the factory in which the Dixi 3/15 was built, was my grandfather Hubert Charles Johnson (1884-1963). Hubert's two tasks were to get the first of these cars on the road within six months, and to achieve a production rate of 120 vehicles a week within the second six months, by April 1928. He successfully completed both tasks. - In late 1928 BMW bought out Dixi and continued to foster the racing career of the 3/15 PS. And that is how the fast and silent BMW cars that run the roads of the world today, 2005, under the slogan "The Ultimate Driving Machine", obtained their start, with Hubert Johnson's help, from Herbert's humble little Austin Seven. - Full details of all this are given in the large book (2004) by Rainer Simons and Walter Zeichner, superbly translated to English by Colin Brazier, _The Development History of BMW Automobiles 1918-1932_, ISBN 3-932169-36-0, which is said to be obtainable from any BMW dealer under BMW Order No. 01 09 0 032 337. The book has many fascinating pictures of this little "People's Car for Germany", and the cover illustration is of the first complete BMW 3/15 PS saloon, "emerging into bright spring sunlight" under the watchful eyes of a white-coated technician and of Hubert Johnson. - Hubert Johnson has 23 descendants in England, Sweden and Germany.
good to see the austin clubs getting together for this celebration i hope you all have a wonderful day. i have just purchased a 1970 austin vandem plas princess 1275cc it is in very good condition, i would like to join one of your clubs maybe some one could advise me on a address etc. regards ernie.
"the Austin" works had many memories for three generations of my family. My Father held 40 years service with the company and I almost beat him with 38 years and finaly, my daughter, she being the last one to work for Longbridge but, transfered to Landrover before BMW pulled the plug. It is so sad to see the demise of such an important local employer, that I can not convey in words the depth of this melancholy. I would like to thank you for such a wonderful website and I hope that the centenary events are a great success. I hope to be there with my family, to give our support.
Happy year for Austin in La Argentina built Austin for Siam Di Tella Automotores .License.BMC
I spent 32 happy years working in transmisssoin engineering at Longbridge & am still in touch with some of my ex colleagues.
In 1956 after having resigned from Metropolitan Police and moving to Weymouth, I started a Driving School using my knowledge as an authorised Police wirelss car driver. My father-in-law bought my first A30 - JFX 758 for £600.00 brand new from Tilleys, Weymouth. Eventually I had five Austins changing from A30 to A35 and A40 Farina. Fantastic servbce was got from all the Austins and I was hardly ever let down because of their reliability. Long since retired from driving school proprietor, DIY shops owner, Director of a Flying School at Hurn Airport that my friends and I bought after learning to fly when 52 years old. Flying School crashed in the 1987 recession so no more quick trips to France! Currently own a 1957 registered A30 ULE 59 four door saloon and hoped to come to the B'ham rally. Unfortunately now in the throws of getting radiator a new core so won't make it. Member of Dorset Group Owners Club, Chairman Kim Henson, author of that super book 'ENJOYING YOUR AUSTIN' from Classic Car Publishing. Wonderful informative reading and I thoroughly recommend it to any A30/35 owner. Now hitting 82 years old but still enjoying the Austin! Have a great Rally at Longbridge - how sad to see the demise of the company.
We are all looking forward to the forth coming event. Dad, Ivor Greening, will be looking down on us all!
It is with great dismay that we have heard of the events in London today. We hope that it has not affected anyone intending to enjoy your celebrations this weekend. Will your site carry pictures/comments from the celebration itself in the near future? Here in Sydney we are planning to celebrate 100years since the first car on March 12 2006 at Castle Hill Showground. While it will not be of the calibre of your event, we hope to attract as many models as possible including many "badge engineered models. Austin vehicles still bring back good memories for many people and it is through the dedication of your organisers and the vehicle owners that we have the oportunity to pass this era of industrialisation, inginuity and transportation on to the next generation. Best Wishes Ian Mann
My father owned what was believed to be a rare Austin and I drove it for several years in the early 60's. Sadly it was sold in Hereford and my efforts to trace it have proved unsuccessful. It was a Heavy 12/4 with a 'dicky seat' and it was a convertible. It was built to the specification of a lady and when first registered was AAB 100, when my father purchased it she kept the number for her newe A40 farina! The registration became WFK 596 as we lived in Worcester at that time. I do have one photograph of the car and having only heard of the centenary celebrations this morning 8th July, I hope to try to attend tomorrow. If anyone has any knowledge of this car I would welcome contact. Have a good celebration! Peter
Looking forward to seeing the show and all that it promises
looking forward to going to the event on saturday.worked at longbridge for nearly 32 years.hope to see some of my workmates there.should be a great weekend!good luck.
All the very best for a wonderful week-end. Best wishes Val and Peter Knight
Had intended to join all you lot for this weekend but health issues just got in the way. Hope you all had a great weekend and that the bomb scare we heard about from over here didn't interupt things.
Wow! what a super event, congratulations to all involved. I am now very sorry I didn't attend the meal on Friday, Mum thoroughly enjoyed the evening, and is looking forward to next weeekend at Abbots Salford. I need your help now to trace a very kind Lady and Gentleman, who I meet at Lickey Church on Sunday 10th, they came to the meal on Friday at the Chateau, own an Austin Ten called 'Mary-Fox', and come from Gloucester direction. The Gentleman very kindly gave my son an Austin Ten Drivers Club badge, I wanted to say 'Thank you' to them again for their kindness, is there any way you can pass this message on to them? Message for Tony Osborne:- thank you for your previous email, sorry I didn't catch up with you over the weekend, Dad would have been very proud with the gathering of all the clubs.
We enjoyed taking part in the vehicle parade with our 1954 A40 Somerset and the 2days of celebrations in the park.Thanks to all who did the organisation for this weekend.Many participants felt that the vehicles could all have been displayed in the ample space available in Victoria and Centenary squares and this was a missed oppertunity as far as the general public were concerned.Royston Morgan
An excellent event and one all involved in its organisation should be very proud of. Well done!
Many thanks for your excellent website. On the occasion of holding of Austin Centenary, we tell about celebration heartily. Cars produced in Austin give us big joy, and now it continues.Also, we recall that Austin watches it historically and gave the auto industry of our country a great achievement.
Centenary event was first class. Well done all organisers!
A great weekend for all. My thanks to the Federation committee, especially Tony Osborne for all the hard work right up until the very last day.
Just a short note to express my thanks and those of the Austin Counties Car Club to Tony Osborne, Chris Tallents and the rest of the Federation committee for an excellent event, the like of which we shall not see again. Well done! Pete Simmonds
Hello! Just a quick message to thank everyone involved in last week end's Centenary celebrations. Wonderful cars, wonderful people, delightful weather... Everything was spot on. I travelled there with my friend Bernard and we were totally through the roof with the cars in attendance. So many of them we'd never seen before, they were there! This was a truly memorable day in our life. Many thanks... Dimitri
Like the site, as a present owner of a Austin Healey, BJ7 and a past owner of a 1955 Nash Metropolitan like the history of the car. I am a member of both clubs in the USA. I am in the British car hobby, cutting keys to code using american key blanks for the early cars. Have sourced the keys used on the early cars, wilmot breeden. Not a locksmith by trade. Best regards
What a splendid event. Congratulations and thanks to everyone who made it happen. Ted
Nice to see it's all remembered. My father took me to the 50th anniversary in 1954, I was 10 years old and remember it now a brilliant day out. The only time I went inside the works. In fact I was in Birmingham last weekend on a quick visit from Italy for the day. I heard of the celebrations but was confused as most of the publicity was about MG-Rover's 100th anniversary. 100 years ago MG didn't exist and Rover was in Coventry I think. I'm driving an MG around in ITALY showing the flag with UK registration 'TYS 84E'. If any of you are old train spotters you will understand the Birmingham connection. All the Best for another 50. I hope things are sorted out at Longbridge soon. Regards, Rod Liddiard.
Great site. I am the owner of a 1969 Austin America also known as an Austin 1300. I have a 1971 MGB GT, a 1976 MG Midget and a 1977 MGB Roadster too. All of these car are still on the road.
Very informative and well presented site.A credit to all involved. Keep up the good work
Can I just say what a top show that was at Cofton Park, to say that my Dad and my Uncle were gobsmacked at what they saw is a understatement, the both of them having owed Austin Westminsters between them the look on their faces was fantastic, It is in their words a day they will never forgot, Thanks to everyone who made this day very special and here's to the next one. Cheers Colin Rumbelow
I will thank you very much for the extraordinary event you organized at Longbridge last week-end. I came especially from Belgium on saturday, and I think it is one of most enjoyable events I saw since the last ten years ! I own Panhard and Tatra cars but have had Austin, but like very much te make, especially Counties, but have a big Austin brochures collection starting from 1928. I will now writing about your celebration for the french magazine Retromania. Very best regards from Bernard
I can only view from afar. Bitterly disappointed that I couldn't get to the 100 yr celebrations. I had a number of Austins before emmigrating to Oz. Now in retirement I have acquired 2 Landcrabs, one I have almost finished restoring, the other needs little work to get it road worthy. I also have an 1800 Ute in poor condition and a spare Mk1 as a donor. I have a friend who is giving away an Austin Somerset but I may be stretching the friendship at home should I take ownership. I'll keep an eye on your website should other events be listed you never know I may just get over to have a look
Tengo un Austin Allegro modelo 81 y me gustaría conocer sobre la mecánica.
see my site www.austin.openswarm.com
DESEARIA TENER CONTACTOS CON EL CLUB SOY POSEEDOR DE UN AUSTIN CAMBRIDGE A 60 DE 1963 Y QUISIERA TENER INFORMACION SOBRE DICHO COCHE
Please note that I still have a limited quantity of Centenary collectables available including the medal shown here as wallpaper (£24.50), along with other Austin related items such as Mouse Mats, Coasters, and of course beautiful bone china Austin mugs featuring the 1922 Chummy, 1928 Sixteen-Six, 1926 12/4 'Clifton', 1925 'Twenty-Four' and one featuring the company logos (early 1920's) Please telephone 01795 880165 for prices and availability. Cheers. - On the event itself, it took us almost five years to plan it, and it was all over in a flash - Another gathering? Let's just get our breath back on this one first - and count the cost! Jim Stringer (Joint founder of the Federation)
Dear All, My name is Pim Janus, owner of an 1953 A40 Sports, in our family are as well an A 40 Somerset Coupe, an A40 Devon and since a few years an A50 Pick Up what we imported from Australia. I think this car was never original deliverd in the UK and was assembled in Australia. We are using this car as a service car in several international historic Rallys such as the famous Tulip Rallye! Till now this car is prepared quite standard but this is not enough to compete in such events so we are thinking about modifying the engine, brakes and gearbox. As we dutch people know the base of all this knowledge must be in the UK. So if somebody can help us with experience on modifying this type of car please let us know. Many greetings, Pim Janus.
Long live Austin, restoring 1947 Austin8, won't be ready for centenary, a beatifully constructed car, solid but also light, send all robot which make cars today to view Austin construction techniques and we might get somewhere
Many interesting information on your site - keep up good work
I worked as a new car tester from 1959 untill 1963 when I left to come to Canada, mostly we tested the new (at the time) Mini's also the first Coopers, the company would put us on different lines from time to time, ie. A55 Vans-A60 cars, Wolsely, Rily, A40 and A35 Vans, some of the time on 15 mile road test, but mostly on the rollers which were out in the open shop at that time. My forman at the time was Len Banner and Harold Jelfs Trevor.