BMC Period Photos

[mab01uk]

Selection of the nice period photos available from Motographs:


Ado 15 Prototype (Mini) 1958
http://motorgraphs.motorfilms.co.uk/mot ... -5717.html


ADO 15 (Mini) 1959. In the Styling Studio at Longbridge being inspected by Jack Daniels. He is comparing it with a Morris Minor and Austin A35 which are on display nearby.
http://motorgraphs.motorfilms.co.uk/mot ... -6022.html


Alec Issigonis and Mini 1964. Issigonis with a completed example of his famous Mini design, a Morris Mini Traveller, by the production line in the Car Assembly Building (CAB1) at Longbridge.
http://motorgraphs.motorfilms.co.uk/mot ... -5992.html




BMC dealership 1966. A company rep visits the retail counter where BMC spare parts and other car supplies are being sold.
http://motorgraphs.motorfilms.co.uk/mot ... -6305.html


BMC Rosette stand 1960s. Displaying the array of approved BMC accessories available including wing mirrors, fog lamps, wheel trims, polishing mits.
http://motorgraphs.motorfilms.co.uk/mot ... -6300.html


Cowley factory BMC 1965. Mini production line. Austin and Morris versions are mixed on the production line.
http://motorgraphs.motorfilms.co.uk/mot ... -6835.html

More here:
http://motorgraphs.motorfilms.co.uk/mot ... r=name&p=6

[Andrew1967]

Great pics Mab

How much would the parts in the BMC stores be worth today and who wouldn't like to do a 'supermarket sweep' through it ?

[Pete]

They do have more than they put up on the galleries but you have to ask for anything specific (and it costs). I like the old J4 van, my old man had one of these, oh the happy memories of choking on the fumes inside the cab....

[captain]

like it thanks for posting

[InimiaD]

Great pics. Not seen those before. Thanks Mab.

[minitravellerman]

awesome photos - especially love the Morris J4 van (or is it an Austin?) - either way, it is seriously cool. Nice livery to do a Mini van or pickup in.

[Lord Croker]

Great photos, thanks for posting, they bring back many memories of my youth!

[mab01uk]

Plenty of NOS parts here......


Mini adapted for Peter Sellers 1963. The car was coachbuilt with wicker work sides and other special features.


Cowley factory BMC 1966. Mini body shell being spray painted with primer in the automated paint shop




Cowley factory BMC 1959. Adding final trim to the Morris Mini-Minor


Longbridge factory BMC 1961. End of the production line in CAB1 showing Austin Seven (Mini) and Austin A40 Farina.


Longbridge factory BMC 1965. Alec Issigonis, Technical Director of BMC, oversees the millionth Mini (an Austin Mini) as it comes of the production line in the Car Assembly Building (CAB1).


Longbridge factory BMC circa 1960. Austin Seven (Mini) CAB1 production line including Countryman and van, Austin A40s are also visible.


Minis in Union Jack formation 1960. Photographed on waste land near Cowley. Over 800 Morris Mini-Minors (Minis) were used for the photo shoot.


BMC Service 1966. At Sutton Courtenay near Abingdon. Mechanics in the workshop test an MGB (Registration mark HJB 527D) on the Crypton engine tuning machine. A Morris Mini and Morris 1100 are also receiving attention.

[mab01uk]

1965 Monte Carlo victor on display
Morris Mini Cooper S (AJB 4B) in 1966. The winner of the 1965 Monte Carlo rally driven by Timo Makinen and Paul Easter goes on display in the Morris Garages showroom with trophies from all its rally victories. Registration mark AJB 4B Competition number 52. The notice on top of the car is an ironic reference to the contentious disqualifications of the three Mini Coopers which came 1st 2nd and 3rd in the 1966 Monte Carlo rally.


Abingdon BMC Competitions Department 1966. Preparing cars for the Monte Carlo Rally - Mini Cooper S cars in the workshop. Timo Makinen is talking with mechanics near GRX 5D (Competition number 230) which was driven by Paddy Hopkirk.


BMC Competitions Department 1966 Abingdon. Mechanics prepare the Works Mini Cooper S and MGB cars for the Monte Carlo rally held in January.


Abingdon BMC Competitions Department 1966. Preparing cars for the Monte Carlo Rally - the Mini Cooper S cars in the workshop are GRX 195D (Competition number 87) driven by Raymond Baxter and GRX 55D (Competition number 242) driven by Rauno Aaltonen.

[JC T ONE]

Very nice pictures thanks for posting

[scott6058]

Truely special times.

[Lord Croker]

Very interesting, your second photo of the Competitions dept shows all the Minis with black roof, before the paint guys got hold of them, I like the shop type weighing scales on the nearest bench. I think the far wall in that photo, where the quick lift jacks hang, eventually filled up with rally plates removed from the cars after events. Thanks for sharing, this is real nostalgia, a reminder of times that were somehow more enjoyable, less restrictive & certainly less stressful!

[Austin Costin]

Very nice, was suprised to see David Bowie working on the production line !

[Old English White]

Some really great pictures there Fascinating and well found.
Not wishing to seem an "anorak" (definition elsewhere!) the one captioned "Longbridge factory BMC 1961" and showing an Austin A40 etc must be a little later as there appears to be a Vanden Plas 1100 behind the A40 and possibly an Austin 1800 further away? The Mini Countryman seems to have nudge bars on the front bumber and be painted Island Blue which both indicate a later date.

[chichestermini]

Very nice, was suprised to see David Bowie working on the production line !

My thoughts exactly!!

[36inter]

Thats a brilliant example of a Teddy Boy/Rocker hairstyle, love it.

Pete

[mab01uk]

Some really great pictures there Fascinating and well found.
Not wishing to seem an "anorak" (definition elsewhere!) the one captioned "Longbridge factory BMC 1961" and showing an Austin A40 etc must be a little later as there appears to be a Vanden Plas 1100 behind the A40 and possibly an Austin 1800 further away? The Mini Countryman seems to have nudge bars on the front bumber and be painted Island Blue which both indicate a later date.

Well spotted! I see what appears to be a Vanden Plas 1100 amongst the A40's.......would it be unusual at the time to have such a completely different car design running on the same track? I know this is now common in modern car factories.....eg. I have seen all the New MINI variants mixed up on visits to the production lines at Oxford but computer control makes it possible for all the right parts and options to arrive at the exact right time and place. Also on my visits to Longbridge in the 1980/90's the Minis and Metros were mixed towards the end of the line.

[mab01uk]

Acropolis Rally 1967

[JC T ONE]

Acropolis Rally 1967

cool pics the fuel tank asbestos plates are clearly visible .

[rich@minispares.com]

Very nice, was suprised to see David Bowie working on the production line !

health and safety would have a whole section on the unsuitability of a hair cut like that on a production line nowadays.

from the length of the hair to the 'lashings of brillcreame' used to hold it in place