I found writing on the Bonnet under paint.

[TECH396]

I've been stripping my car of paint lately. I've found two bits of fun under the paint.
The scuttle has writing that states "S Spear" followed by a upside down heart.and Upon stripping the bonnet, I found the following, written.
Here's what it says

ENG. 1 .......
Spain. Nil
Someone decided to write a Match score, so everyone down the line could see the results of a football match.

My car was assembled April 19 1968,
I looked on the web to find England did play Spain April 3 1968, and Won 1-nil
https://www.englandstats.com/matches.php?mid=420

I know there's a couple of members here that worked in the BMC Body Shop in the Mid to late 60s, so maybe someone could shed light on the "OK" .. was it normal to write on a bonnet that passed inspection?

[Dr S]

No I idea but it’s a lovely discovery. I’d be inclined to think there was a book being run on the line that day..

[mk1]

That's a great find. I have heard of people finding similar writing on shells after they have been soda blasted.

[woodypup59]

I'm sure that writing is about sport of some sort - but not the World Cup.

-----------------------------------

Our family was on holiday in Spain in '66 while the World Cup was on.

My folks used to drink in a tiny bar in a village back street with a TV with a wavy, snowy picture.

Every time time the "other team" scored against Spain, the locals would smash their glasses on the floor.

Luckily we'd left for home when the Spain Vs England game was on !

[TECH396]

Just found more writing under the paint on the scuttle. Anyone here know of a "S Spear" that worked for BMC in 68 ?

[Peter Laidler]

You could find the local Birmingham newspaper on the web and write the story with some photographs to the Editor.

You can be rest assured that it would certainly make a big splash in the local press - and even make it to the local national press.

It has happened here in both Oxford for Morris cars and Abingdon for several MGA's as I recall

[Polarsilver]

On the production lines at Pressed Steel Cowley there was always someone having the Crack ( Banter ) with whatever tricks to make their day shorter along with putting spurious bolts in the production line Track to stop the line so they the "Workers" could have a "Rest" have a Fag & do their Football Pools & Pick the Horses and yes there were Bookies Runners on the production lines to place the bets .. I was a Maintenace Millwright & in our Cage ( small workshop) there was a Shop where most anything was available or could be put on order .. some Millwrights made from scratch replica Flint Lock Pistols,along with Fancy Garden Gates & in my case Mini Heads were rebuilt the Forman caught me one day the punishment was just "Put it Away" .. that was how to earn a Living in the Cowley Factory way back when
In the end i just Left & got a proper job

[TECH396]

You could find the local Birmingham newspaper on the web and write the story with some photographs to the Editor.

You can be rest assured that it would certainly make a big splash in the local press - and even make it to the local national press.

It has happened here in both Oxford for Morris cars and Abingdon for several MGA's as I recall

Thanks Peter. I might just do that. It'll keep me out of trouble for 20 min or so.And who knows, maybe it'll lighten up someone's day...

[TECH396]

On the production lines at Pressed Steel Cowley there was always someone having the Crack ( Banter ) with whatever tricks to make their day shorter along with putting spurious bolts in the production line Track to stop the line so they the "Workers" could have a "Rest" have a Fag & do their Football Pools & Pick the Horses and yes there were Bookies Runners on the production lines to place the bets .. I was a Maintenace Millwright & in our Cage ( small workshop) there was a Shop where most anything was available or could be put on order .. some Millwrights made from scratch replica Flint Lock Pistols,along with Fancy Garden Gates & in my case Mini Heads were rebuilt the Forman caught me one day the punishment was just "Put it Away" .. that was how to earn a Living in the Cowley Factory way back when
In the end i just Left & got a proper job

Great stuff, and enjoyed reading what it was like " back then"
I was born in Fleetwood, and heard many ICI stories from the 40s and 50s handed down from my Grandad, Dad and Uncles, of how conditions were so bad, they had to make the best of it somehow,& Cowley would be no exception. Thanks for sharing:)

[Pandora]

I believe such messages are very common on TVRs, scribbled on before the trim goes in (later to fall off, obviously ) Some rather less PC than a football score

I think I heard professional warbler Alfie Bow talk about it somewhere, as he used to work on the assembly line there.

Al

[TECH396]

With the Euro Cup happening soon, and with it being Spain vs England, I thought to resurrect my old post of the writing found while stripping the paint off my S bonnet.
Eng 1 Spain Nil.

[Peter Laidler]

Did you ever contact the Birmingham Post local newspaper?

[TECH396]

Did you ever contact the Birmingham Post local newspaper?

I did Peter, with no reply

[winabbey]

With the Euro Cup happening soon, and with it being Spain vs England, I thought to resurrect my old post of the writing found while stripping the paint off my S bonnet.
Eng 1 Spain Nil.

That's magic and very timely.

Surely the media covering the event would be interested in that story, and prediction perhaps?

[peasantslife]

Is there anyone here with more that a cursory comprehension of mini production at Longbridge (or Cowley)? - this is a huge subject..
My car is Longbridge assembled autumn 66, so thats my focus.
Primary panels from Fishers at CB?
West works for BiW?
Which paintshop?
I think by default all(?) minis were T&F in CAB1 until when?? certainly not in the 90's, but in CAB1 there were 3 unique lines, so presume intro on a single line and built up over what time to 3 lines - what timescale?, but what differentiated? Coopers and S always on TrackX?
Am I right in thinking that Elf/Hornets were actually framed at Fishers, painted and T&F'd at CB too?

[AndyPen]

Unfortunately my friend who worked on the floor panels in Llanelli Fischer plant has just passed away, but he recalled doing the toe boards, floor pans and alloy bonnets there. I am also aware of front ends coming from there as he mentioned the way they were stacked and sometimes mixed up, e.g. as hydro cars were being developed, the later panels became mixed in with the current ones, way before they were supposed to be used. But as they had targets to meet they grabbed anything they could when the numbers were short.

On a personal level, back in the early 90s genuine wings and A panels (external hinge type) were being made there too. Plus one of my friends had the long arm spot welder out of the factory - so was a popular guy on rebuilding shells.

Disputes were not that unusual, and he mentioned inspection rules that messed up bonuses. At some point they did some parts for a BMC (funded?) light aircraft of some kind?

[Polarsilver]

I have mention before ..my Father in Law was a Lorry Driver for British Road Services .. one regular job was to deliver "Body in White" Mini Shells from Cowley up to Longbridge.. so clearly not all Longbridge produced mk1 Minis had the bodyshell made at Longbridge

[Exminiman]

I have mention before ..my Father in Law was a Lorry Driver for British Road Services .. one regular job was to deliver "Body in White" Mini Shells from Cowley up to Longbridge.. so clearly not all Longbridge produced mk1 Minis had the bodyshell made at Longbridge

………and it would of been good manufacturing practice, keep the line going, balance capacity etc……