janspeed

General Chat with an emphasis on BMC Minis & Other iconic cars of the 1960's.
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agricola
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janspeed

Post by agricola »

People might find this interesting

https://youtu.be/bP2Flch5cdc
irlmin
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Re: janspeed

Post by irlmin »

What a brilliant insight , thanks for posting this , I am now more knowledgeable than I was before , didn't know the connection to Nevill Tricket , I did know the relationship with alcohol and the Richmonds and its effect on the decline and closing of the business . again thanks for posting .
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maxidave
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Re: janspeed

Post by maxidave »

I found the Janspeed article interesting although Jan's version of his departure from Downton is different from Bunty Richmond's .I also felt he
might have given a little more credit to Gordon Allen for his contribution to the SCA project. Just minor points.The alcohol consumption was not
a factor in the decline or closure of the company.If that had been the case they would have had no staff whatsoever.
There were several contributing factors.Many staff had left to start their own businesses,all key people and too many to list.It's doubtful if any
other tuning firm had such a pool of talent.The BMC contract had gone.The workshops needed major investment,everything being very dated and
cars were coming off the production line that had performance built in.
Anyone who worked at Downton even at time of closure would now be close to or well past seventy years old.Many are no longer with us.
It seems as time goes by Daniel Richmond's and the company's achievements have not been given the credit they deserve.There are many
good engine tuners today but could i suggest that apart from component materials nothing has changed much in sixty years.The Richmonds
were far from perfect but they made a massive contribution to every aspect of the mini story.Enough said.
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UHR850
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Re: janspeed

Post by UHR850 »

maxidave wrote: Mon Oct 21, 2024 11:32 pm I found the Janspeed article interesting although Jan's version of his departure from Downton is different from Bunty Richmond's .I also felt he
might have given a little more credit to Gordon Allen for his contribution to the SCA project. Just minor points.The alcohol consumption was not
a factor in the decline or closure of the company.If that had been the case they would have had no staff whatsoever.
There were several contributing factors.Many staff had left to start their own businesses,all key people and too many to list.It's doubtful if any
other tuning firm had such a pool of talent.The BMC contract had gone.The workshops needed major investment,everything being very dated and
cars were coming off the production line that had performance built in.
Anyone who worked at Downton even at time of closure would now be close to or well past seventy years old.Many are no longer with us.
It seems as time goes by Daniel Richmond's and the company's achievements have not been given the credit they deserve.There are many
good engine tuners today but could i suggest that apart from component materials nothing has changed much in sixty years.The Richmonds
were far from perfect but they made a massive contribution to every aspect of the mini story.Enough said.
:P Many thanks for your coment about Daniël Richmonds Downton imperium.

Kees.
DOWNTON Mini is what I like a lot.
Collecting 60th wooden steeringwheels.
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