- Hardcover: 272 pages
- Publisher: J H Haynes & Co Ltd; illustrated edition edition (18 Sep 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1859606717
- ISBN-13: 978-1859606711
- Product Dimensions: 27.2 x 21.2 x 2.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 926,771 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
Since 1905, Herbert Austin's Longbridge car factory, known locally as "The Austin" has provided a livelihood for thousands of families in the West Midlands. This is the story of the vehicles produced there, and the factory itself , in the words of those intimately involved in the styling , design, testing and building of cars. It provides historic detail, human experience and social history, and aims to be of great interest to motoring enthusiasts as well as those who have worked at Longbridge under the various ownerships, including BMC, British Leyland, Austin-Rover, BMW and Phoenix.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
This 272 page book takes you right back to the shop floor at the longbridge factory, from 1905 to current day & their take over. It really gives you a feel for the ins & outs of how the cars we have come to love over the years were born and the day to day developments as car designers go from ideas to production and post production teething troubles are ironed out. Its as if you are stood by the tea machine as Sir Herbert Austin / Sir Leonard Lord & Sir Alec Issigonis go about their daily business to product history day by day. Fantastic previously unpublished photos with great text makes the book truly "unable to put down" it is a must for the Austin enthusiast or expert alike and well worth any cover price. The detail can leave you speechless.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Barney Sharratt's warm and detailed account is a delight to read-even if you never owned a car or worked at "The Austin", His conversations with the post war car makers are a revealing insight into the passions, the pride and the pig headedness that made Austin great but finally brought the world renowned company to a sad end.
I was very impressed with his research. When Austin could sell every car it could make, the customer came second as many motorists with collapsed suspension, blown gaskets and leaks galore discovered. Engineers who ran the company often ignored the staff who tested the models and the customers who bought them. Mr Sharratt explains why the company was both ahead of its time and behind the times.
Despite Austin's ultimate decline, this is a highly readable account that is full of the reminiscences of talented designers and engineers who brought motoring to the masses. Austin was even so so generous that it helped rebuild the Japanese car industry after World War 2...and we all know what happened then.
Martin Henfield
I was very impressed with his research. When Austin could sell every car it could make, the customer came second as many motorists with collapsed suspension, blown gaskets and leaks galore discovered. Engineers who ran the company often ignored the staff who tested the models and the customers who bought them. Mr Sharratt explains why the company was both ahead of its time and behind the times.
Despite Austin's ultimate decline, this is a highly readable account that is full of the reminiscences of talented designers and engineers who brought motoring to the masses. Austin was even so so generous that it helped rebuild the Japanese car industry after World War 2...and we all know what happened then.
Martin Henfield
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
I really enjoyed this book, Albert "Joey" Hancock, Austin's Chief Designer from 1905 to 1941 was my Grand Father. I am proud of his contribution and character which did not sit easy with the abrasive character of Leonard Lord.
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