My BMC  (later BL, Rover…) tradition goes back to 1956 when my father wanted a small car and decided for a Morris Minor, 1956 model, split screen, 800 cc, black and obviously built at Cowley. The Minor lasted till 1963 when my father bought one of the first MG 1100s followed later on by a Morris 1300.

In May 1962 I bought a second hand Morris 850, 1960 model,  white painted grille, straight magic wand gear change and starter on the floor. I sold the car in 1964.

From now on all my following cars were built at Longbridge until the new MINI was introduced, a Cowley built car again. However I know that the first preproduction Minis were built at Longbridge
 
When I attended the National Riley Rally in July 2007 at Hoar Park near Nuneaton, I first drove to Longbridge and noticed how many buildings had gone. I hope that when I shall return in AUGUST 2009,  when the Mini will celebrate its 50th anniversary, Q-Gate will still exist.

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Bought in May 1965 in Basel/Switzerland from a Austin dealer. 848 cc, de luxe,  island blue, grey trim extras: metal door surrounds, corner bars “Paris extra bumpers” nearly all Minis in Paris were fitted with these extra bumpers made of aluminium. I bought a pair in Paris and was the only one in Switzerland to have them.

Factory Tour Longbridge, 13 May 1969

Left London very early in the morning of 13 May 1969 and drove up the M1 towards Coventry where I took the short bit of the M45 followed by the A45 all the way to Birmingham and onto Longbridge.

Parked my Austin Cooper S in Lowhill Lane and went to Q-Gate to join the Tour. Remember the cut-up Mini model at the entrance hall. We first went to the foundry to see how they poured liquid metal into the sand mould to make engine blocks and cylinder heads. Once cooled off, sand mould were hammered away. In an other part of the factory we saw how gearboxes were assembled. In the bodyshop we saw the panels been welded together to make the body.

Lunch was provided and the tour continued to the paint shop and finally we saw the assembly line. I was impressed how many people made so many cars. It had a lasting effect to this very day.

The ultimate Mini Cooper S, Ordered and delivered directly by DOWNTON Engineering, Downton Wilts. On 16 May 1968 April Production. 1275 cc, island  blue /snowberry white top. Black trim, Downton Touring conversion Heritage certificate,  Extras: Rev Counter, Britax seat  belts, rear heated window, 
 

Registration  MOP516F Personal export scheme, no purchase tax. Imported into Switzerland May 1968
 
Sold in 1970.

The Mini had been absent from Switzerland between 1982 and 1992 because of the strict emissions and noise regulations in Switzerland.

I was one of the first buyers of a Mini Cooper when reintroduced in 1992

Bought May 1992 1275 cc, British Racing Green, extras: metal door surrounds, wooden steering wheel
 
Sold the car in 1997, still on the road

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On the occasion of the RILEY Centenary in July 1996 at Coombe Abbey I organised a factory tour for the 20  members of the  Swiss Riley Club.
The tour concentrated on the new West Works  where we saw how Rovers 200s and 400s were made. Quite a change from 1969.

The Club’s President, Beat Fischer, a Research Director of ABB Switzerland (formerly Brown Boveri), was pleased to see robots carrying the ABB logo. We were convinced that with BMW as the parent, the future of Longbridge would be assured for many years to come.

Bought in 1999, Rover 2door, British Racing Green,
 
Excellent small car, good reputation for the K engine. My wife liked the car. Not many on the road in Switzerland, thus exclusive
 
Sold in 2001, when I became one of the first owners of the new BMW Mini (Cowley car)

Shortly after the 35th Mini anniversary at Silverstone in 1994, I found an Elf in Practical Classics for sale. Flew to London and drove her to Switzerland were she came out of a total restoration in May 1996, just in time to drive to Coventry for the Riley Centenary. Colour of body changed to dark blue a Rover colour (eclipse blue) retained pale ivory top.
 
Built at Longbridge on 8 March 1968 (still a BMC car!) Fawn-brown / pale ivory top, red trim, 1000 cc Heritage certificate, Registration: PUL709F
 
Member of Riley Motor Club and attended many National Riley Motor Club rallies in places like: Woburn Abbey, Longleat, Gaydon, Breamore Hse nr Downton, Banham,  etc
Often obtained first in show, first in class, still in my hands.

Picture: On the occasion of the National Swiss MINI meeting, Paddy Hopkirk and Alec Poole were present and very impressed with my MINI

Bought August 1997 1275 cc, platinum silver, sport pack extras: metal door surrounds, full leather seats, wooden door handles, window winders and door opener, over-riders and corner bars, electric sun roof
 
When the last upgrades and modifications came in 1996, I decided to sell my 1992 Cooper and 1993 British Open.
 
This MINI is still in my hands.
 

It all started in 1938 when it was first registered on the 25th March. It is not known who the first owner was as unfortunately Cambridge records office does not have the vehicle registration records.

It was in found in a scrap yard in Holbeach St Jones, belong to J Wright - Wright Engineering, and bought for the princely sum of £35 in 1968 by Norman Green. The colour scheme was maroon and black, and somebody had converted it to flashing indicators at some point. There was no signage on her, everything was complete and original although the engine was unserviceable. We can only guess what it might have been used for in those thirty years. It was probable doing what vans are supposed to do, delivering groceries, a tradesman's van or even a general farm vehicle, working in the Ely/Chatteris area. Although these possible suggestion seem to indicate this, it was strange that no sign writing could be detected on the sides.

Work was started on the restoration, but progress was slow. So in 1971 it had a new owner, Pete Mumby in North Waltham who continued to work on her until she was back on the road in June 1978. Pete Mumby had a cosmetics business in Grimsby and was responsible for the addition of the sign writing that can still be seen today. Peter sadly died about 10 years ago and CVE 126 passed to his son, also Peter Mumby. Peter decided to sell the van having been in the family for nearly thirty five years.

This is when I purchased it, and my wife Kirsty immediately thought it was one of the cutest Austin's she had ever seen and loves it. It will stay with us for many years and become a cherished part of our family just as it was for Peter's.

Today she is enjoyed by my wife and daughter, and it gives a lot of pleasure attending local shows in the Bedfordshire area.

Crich Tram Museum 2006

If anybody knows any history on this vehicle, please contact the owner on this link mark@abalis.co.uk

I purchased my Austin from my brother in law in 1995 in Sacramento, California. I believe that it had been in his possession for at least three years. I drove the car from Sacramento to Olympia, Washington, there it is kept in a dry secure environment. The car was painted white some time back and the interior leather was replaced with cloth. Various things have been overhauled including the brake system, replaced the exhaust system, carburetor and fuel system. I recently replaced the wide white wall biased tires with wide white wall radial tires, which made a huge difference on the drive and handling ability down the road. It gets driven occasionally if the weather is dry, doing an annual mileage of around 200 miles.

Grey Langemo