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Longbridge classics in pictures
The Austin Allegro is synonymous with the 1970s
Long before BMW bosses set foot in the West Midlands, Britain had a car industry that was all its own.
Longbridge, the Rover plant that, on Thursday, was sold to a firm of venture capitalists called Alchemy, played a pivotal role in that history.
Since it opened in 1905, under the direction of Herbert Austin, many classic models have rolled off its production lines.
Patriotic principle
The plant's heyday was arguably 1939-1960, when Austin held a steel-like grip on the UK market and car ownership was a point of patriotism.
Longbridge, the Rover plant that, on Thursday, was sold to a firm of venture capitalists called Alchemy, played a pivotal role in that history.
Since it opened in 1905, under the direction of Herbert Austin, many classic models have rolled off its production lines.
One of the all time classics, the Austin 7
Sportier than an MG, the Austin Healy 100 first rolled off the production line in 1952
Not the prettiest of the lot, but the Farina was a 50s and 60s favourite all the same
Despite its celebrated charm, even the Mini could run into parking trouble
Nicknamed the Landcrab, the Morris 1800 was a Longbridge staple between the mid-60 and mid-70s
The Mini Metro - gave a new boost to British car making at the start of the 80s
The plant's heyday was arguably 1939-1960, when Austin held a steel-like grip on the UK market and car ownership was a point of patriotism.
Other old Longbridge models |
The Hampshire (1948-51) The Atlantic (1948-53) The Riley (1957-65) The Lancer (1957-1959) The Ital (1982 to late 80s) |
That urge to be identified with Britain was reflected in the naming of the cars. The Devon, the Somerset, the Hereford, the Cambridge and the Westminster were all models that bore the Austin badge.
The 1960s was the decade of the Mini, the revolutionary front-wheel drive car that captured the vibe of Swinging London and won legions of devotees around the world.
But by the 1970s, things had begun to turn sour. Longbridge, by then in the hands of British Leyland, had become a byword for union militancy and restrictive work practices.
Yet many of the cars turned out in those troubled times are remembered with fawning enthusiasm today.
The 1960s was the decade of the Mini, the revolutionary front-wheel drive car that captured the vibe of Swinging London and won legions of devotees around the world.
But by the 1970s, things had begun to turn sour. Longbridge, by then in the hands of British Leyland, had become a byword for union militancy and restrictive work practices.
Yet many of the cars turned out in those troubled times are remembered with fawning enthusiasm today.
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