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That’s Me! Ron Thompson

We have a match! 
We posted the original photograph from our archives for the site launch at the end of January of this year, it shows a group in the TR section of the Assembly Shop at Canley.

The photo was from the Standard News, the in-house company newspaper dated May 1959. The subject is Fred West and Fred was 69 and for six years worked as a sweeper in the section. He retired Easter 1959. Handing over the retirement gift of a wallet and £11 is Shop Steward Jack Griffin. Continue reading “That’s Me! Ron Thompson”

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Standard or Triumph?

A Brief History: The Standard Motor Company was founded in Coventry in 1903 by Reginald Walter Maudslay. By 1924 the company had a share of the market comparable to Austin, but by the late 1920s profits had fallen dramatically due to heavy reinvestment, a failed export contract and poor sales of the larger cars. John Black joined the ailing company and by increasing productivity, masterminded the huge success of the company in the 1930s.
Continue reading “Standard or Triumph?”

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Strikes!

Strikes were a huge part of the motor industry, arguably the leading factor into its downfall. If there was a dispute at BMC, for instance, the unions would bring in all the other manufacturers so the ‘Big Six’ would all be effected. 

Continue reading “Strikes!”

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Veronica Lenehan

Not sure of year – thinking late 60’s. I am in the middle with very short hair. The woman with a bun was Eileen and the guy on the right is Peter Murray. Looks like we are playing cards during lunch.

Triumph Works Canley
Triumph Works Canley

More to follow…

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The Last Innsbruck – Derek Hitchins

I started in August 1959 and for over 20 happy years I worked in the new Assembly Hall known as the Rocket Range as a Line Inspector and over the years I was promoted to Quality Foreman.

When the plant closed I accepted a position in the South African motor industry in Pretoria where I now live.
Continue reading “The Last Innsbruck – Derek Hitchins”

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Alan Woodier

Alan Woodier. Service: 1968 to 1975. I started my 5 year apprenticeship in 1968 after leaving Whitley Abbey School even though I lived in Allesley Park.

I wanted to be a body development engineer but the options were every other year it was body and then trim development and my year was trim so trim it was (possibly in the long run the best choice as for my sins I am still working making custom motorcycle and scooter seats).  Continue reading “Alan Woodier”