Austin Rover

securespark · 24 Oct 2016

Have a look at this 1980's technical bulletin.

How crap were these cars if they had to be fixed by bits of tape, washers and tie wraps?

Seafarer1966 · 24 Oct 2016

Some brand new Maestro's and Montego's were delivered brand new from the factory to dealerships with hoses not connected behind the dashboards. The dealership mechanics had to go over them with a fine toothed comb to tighten up starter motor bolts, fuel line clips, everything. They were literally thrown together.
During industrial disputes, line workers at Leyland used to sabotage cars deliberately as a way of 'getting back at management'. Vehicles were never tested thoroughly prior to delivery to dealerships so they received vehicles with sabotaged gearboxes and engines that caused problems from day one. It backfired not surprisingly when even the most hardened 'Buy British Cars' brigade gave up and bought foreign motors that were reliable and worked.
It's a shame because whilst it was a rather ugly vehicle the Maestro was a very comfy car to drive with great fuel economy.

^woody^ · 24 Oct 2016

The British car industry of the 70's can be summed up by watching Carry on at Your Convenience.

Thanks for causing the demise of UK manufacturing lads.

And then they all moaned when the machines were shipped off to China and Longbridge flattened, ffs.

Seafarer1966 · 24 Oct 2016

Colossal amounts of taxpayers money was pumped into Austin Rover/ Rover/ Leyland whatever it was called that particular week. Funds were diverted from other things to prop up the gigantic money sponge. In the 90's a beautiful old water powered flour mill near my home was due to receive a grant towards its protection and renovation. The grant was pulled along with loads of others to prop up that joke of a car factory. It would have been cheaper to pay the ***** at Longbridge to stay at home.

DaveHerns · 25 Oct 2016

Having Issigonis on board didn't help either. Supposed to have been a brilliant engineer but didn't care if his ideas made losses for the company as long as he got his own way

Nige F · 25 Oct 2016

DaveHerns said:
as long as he got his own way

but he was vinndicated eventually - look @ the new Mini

And Ford aren't so clever - I've seen a KA that's as rot as any BMC 1100

JohnD · 25 Oct 2016

The Issy mini was a terrible car in a crash. You remember the doors fall off when hit? (often still see it in club racing). And the front wheels used to fall off (used to see them at the side of the road) just driving along.

And the petrol filler pipe used to get knocked off in a sideswipe or a roll, and gush fuel.

And there was no crush space at the front, except the driver's legs. Or at the back, except the passengers. And the steering column didn't deflect or absorb, it just went through the driver like a cocktail stick through a sausage.

It was never exported to the US because it fell far below even the pathetic safety rules of the time.

38mph crash
The engine and the drivers legs occupy the same space. Which wins?

EFLImpudence · 25 Oct 2016

Other than that, it was ok.

All sold at a loss, anyway so a bit of a waste of - everything.

Brigade77 · 25 Oct 2016

EFLImpudence said:
Other than that, it was ok.

All sold at a loss, anyway so a bit of a waste of - everything.

Imagine all those folk for who the Mini made motoring affordable at last.

Was it an overall benefit to the general economy, subsidise the cost of the vehicle then grab it back with the tax's !

Lets not forget that most were purchased on HP. Who benefits there then?

securespark · 25 Oct 2016

^woody^ said:
The British car industry of the 70's can be summed up by watching Carry on at Your Convenience.

Didn't you work for BL, Woody?

^woody^ · 25 Oct 2016

securespark said:
Didn't you work for BL, Woody?

Yeah, right up until I got dismissed for having sex with a Princess

securespark · 25 Oct 2016

Jammy sod.

EDITED.

ajrtd · 25 Oct 2016

Wasn't that just an allegro.

EFLImpudence · 25 Oct 2016

Dork Lard said:
Imagine all those folk for who the Mini made motoring affordable at last.

Are you saying BL was a socialist organisation?

Was it an overall benefit to the general economy, subsidise the cost of the vehicle then grab it back with the tax's !

So it was all a plot to relieve the buyers of more of their income.

It was just crap management.

Lets not forget that most were purchased on HP. Who benefits there then?

Finance companies. Ah, it must have been they who persuaded BL to sell them cheap.

motorbiking · 25 Oct 2016

My mrs always liked them - she wanted me to get an Austin Martin

She also liked the Harvey Davidson we had in California

Austin Rover

Brigade77

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