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The chart below illustrates the mergers and regrouping of the famous names within the British motor industry which became, first, the British Leyland Motor Corporation and later the MG Rover Group.
Brief History of Rover:
When John Starley and William Sutton went into partnership in 1877 to manufacture penny farthing cycles and tricycles at Coventry, they laid the foundations of the Rover company. The name Rover was first used for one of their tricycles which was produced in 1884. After a succession of motorcycles, the first car, an 8 hp model, was introduced in 1904. In 1906, the company became the Rover Company Ltd.
In 1907, a Rover 20 hp car won the International Tourist Trophy race on the Isle of Man. Production of cycles, motorcycles and cars continued up to the First World War when Rover turned to Government contracts for military vehicles, mortars, gas shells and other munitions work.
In 1920, the Rover 8 hp was produced and more than 17,000 were manufactured up to 1925. The 14/15 hp model of 1924 was awarded the Dewar Trophy by the RAC. The company gained more prestige in 1930 when a Light Six car raced the Continental Express, 750 miles across France for 20 hours and reached Calais 20 minutes ahead of the train.
During the Second World War, more than 21,000 people were employed producing aero engines, tank engines and aircraft wings. Behind the scenes, the company was working on the secret development of a small gas turbine engine. On March 8, 1959, the world’s first gas turbine propelled car was launched, culminating in the T4, an advanced car with four-wheel drive, disc brakes and independent suspension. In 1963, Rover raced at Le Mans, covering 2,588 miles at an average speed of almost 108 miles per hour.
In 1967 the Rover company merged with the Leyland Motor Corporation and the following year became part of Britain’s largest motor manufacturing organisation, with the merger of the Leyland Group and British Motor Holdings to form the British Leyland Motor Corporation.
In June 1984 the Rover range was extended to include a highly specified range of smaller cars; the Rover 200 series. The latest version of the Rover 200 series was launched in 1989, followed by the Rover 400 range of mid-sized executive cars in March 1990.
In July 1986, the Rover 800 series was introduced, a luxurious range of executive cars with advanced styling and technology in design and manufacture.
In 1998, the Rover Group was sold to British Aerospace and six years later to the German car maker BMW.
The 1999 London Motor Show represented a historic milestone in the evolution of the Rover marque beneath BMW ownership, with the world-debut of the new Rover 25 and 45 ranges. Positioned alongside the successful Rover 75, the new 25 and 45 ranges provided a clearer indication of the future role and direction of the Rover marque.
In 2000, MG Rover Group Ltd took responsibility for the Longbridge car facilities producing the Rover 25, 45 and 75 models plus MGF the top selling roadster.
In 2001, the plants will additionally build the Rover 75 Tourer model and a range of three MG sports saloons.
For more detailed information on the history of the Rover Marque, take this link.
History of the MG and Rover Marques
Brief History of Austin
Herbert Austin built his first car, a three-wheeler, in 1895/1896 while working for the Wolseley Company. In 1899 he built a four-wheeler which won its class in the Automobile Club of Great Britain’s 1,000 mile trial.
Austin founded the Austin Motor Company at Longbridge Birmingham in 1905 and in 1906 unveiled the first "Austin" - a 25-30 hp estate with four speed gear-box and chain drive rear axle.
The business grew and by 1910 nearly 1,000 workers were making a wide range of car models from 6.8 hp to 60 hp.
After the First World War Austin decided to concentrate on just one model, a 20 hp car styled on American lines. The decision brought the company close to disaster but the introduction in 1922 of the Austin Seven completely transformed Austin’s fortunes.
Weighing only 9 cwt and only 8’ 9 " in length, it provided seats for four people. The Seven brought motoring to the family and became the most popular light car in the world.
The Seven laid the foundations for growth in inter-war years and by 1934 there was a choice of over 40 Austin models.
In 1936, Austin, who had already been made a Knight, became Lord Austin of Longbridge.
The war years meant production was turned over to military needs. But at the end of the war, Austin quickly moved to peace-time activities. The first post-war model was the Austin Sixteen.
In 1951 there were two significant events; a new assembly building was opened at Longbridge, modernising the production and, and after 30 years of intense rivalry, it was announced that the Austin and Nuffield (Morris) organisations were to merge the following year, forming the British Motor Corporation.
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The early history of the MG Rover Group reflects the way the British motor industry in developed in the early 1900’s. As many people tried their hands at manufacturing vehicles at this time, a wide range of independent vehicle manufacturers emerged. The majority of these lasted only a few years or were quickly taken over by other companies. |
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