30 replies to this topic

[mab01uk]

The Mini Clubman was used for testing purposes by BL and the underground tunnels were used during the war military production years and then in later years mainly for storage and testing purposes I think.
Most of the Longbridge site is currently being redeveloped, the remaining buildings still standing are owned by the Chinese owners of MG Rover.
Full Details and pictures of the current re-development here (scroll down):
http://www.austinmem...e84/page84.html

Although Longbridge has mostly gone now, the rest of the British Car Industry (although foreign owned) is actually expanding production and doing well, especially Nissan with the top selling British designed and Sunderland built Nissan Qashqui and of course the highly successful ex-Morris now BMW owned MINI factories at Cowley in Oxford, Swindon and Hams Hall near Birmingham. Many car component parts are also sourced from the UK over 60% of a modern MINI is built from British designed and manufactured components.

Edited by mab01uk, 02 March 2012 - 10:09 AM.

[CLCBurnout]

thats a amazing website never seen it before

[MaxAndPaddy]

Love the underground tunnels, kinda eerie but stunning

Great website cheers Mab!

[typer andy]

i love that site there are a load of old raf bases around where i am and there are loads of threads about them on there,

i really doubt some of those tunnels are still there that thread was posted in 2007

[Dan]

The Mini Clubman was used for testing purposes by BL and the underground tunnels were used during the war military production years and then in later years mainly for storage and testing purposes I think.

The tunnels at Longbridge CAB1 are original to the factory and built specifically for it after the war. They are not the same as the earlier wartime shadow factory tunnels. Go to any modern car factory and they are all multi level, this was a groundbreaking factory. The tunnels were used so that large units like engines, axles and even painted bodies could magically appear out of the floor at the right point in the line etc. They were integral to the design and layout of the production line. There are loads of tunnels under Longbridge, or were. Some for production, some leftover from the war as said, and at least one used to move a river.

[george91]

I have to admit i find 28 days later fascinating, i was looking through one of the many threads on longbridge, and i found this one with a picture of some overalls with the name Dave Walker on them?! Is this the same man behind emerald 3D? if so thats kind of cool.

The first picture here: http://www.28dayslat...read.php?t=9321

[mininuts]

There are some really sad pictures of Longbridge on 28DL but, I think this one sums up the whole Rover fiasco for me



If you don't already know, this book is excellent if you've got an interest in Longbridge etc

[mab01uk]

MG opens its gates for factory tours:
"If you’ve ever fancied visiting Longbridge for a factory tour, now’s your opportunity. MG Motor UK is opening its gates for two-hour tours of the facility starting on 15 March. The tours take place every Thursday, start at 1.00pm, and last for approximately two hours."
http://www.aronline....-factory-tours/

Edited by mab01uk, 02 March 2012 - 07:06 PM.

[njathind]

I saw that years ago and being that its longbridge, i think the building (and most likely the car, tunnels etc) are gone.

You most of it is long gone, think they still have C.A.B 1 and 2 though. What I want to know is what the bloody hell happened to that mini to get in that state.
I've heard rumor before that it was an accident on the assembly line and it was hidden from managment or something.

How accurate that is I dont know, and I guess I never will

[mk1leg]

Wow what a differance to when I was there in 2009 at IMM and Mini50.....................stunning redevopement....

[DeanP]

Although Longbridge has mostly gone now, the rest of the British Car Industry (although foreign owned) is actually expanding production and doing well, especially Nissan with the top selling British designed and Sunderland built Nissan Qashqui and of course the highly successful ex-Morris now BMW owned MINI factories at Cowley in Oxford, Swindon and Hams Hall near Birmingham. Many car component parts are also sourced from the UK over 60% of a modern MINI is built from British designed and manufactured components.

You missed off the billion pound profit maker Jaguar Land Rover

[Spud_133]

Just spent half an hour reading though their random photo thread, I love derilict building photos, car factories are my favourite, merely due to my high intererst in cars!

[olds_kool_lews]

i went on a tour around longbridge many years ago, i was probably only about 7 or 8 at the time, my dad used to work there making the seats and lights for most rover cars, they used to have big open days as well, i have many memories of the place, with all the roads out the front lined with conker trees we used to go conker picking there too! good times!

[Down&Out]

I saw that years ago and being that its longbridge, i think the building (and most likely the car, tunnels etc) are gone.

You most of it is long gone, think they still have C.A.B 1 and 2 though. What I want to know is what the bloody hell happened to that mini to get in that state.
I've heard rumor before that it was an accident on the assembly line and it was hidden from managment or something.

How accurate that is I dont know, and I guess I never will

I read somewhere many moons ago that it was something along the lines of a container got dropped on it, but as you say, we'll never know.

[mini_in_progress]

its a great site tho, you seen these poor cars,... i want them....

http://www.28dayslat...ead.php?t=69086