The last MG RV8 was produced in Cowley, England
Wednesday 22nd November 1995 The last MG RV8 was produced in Cowley, England. The MG RV8 was a hugely important step in the 1990s rebirth of its maker after more than a decade of saloon and hatchback-only production. Since Abingdon’s closure in 1980, MG had been reserved for the Metro, Maestro and Montego – and…
The Honda Motor Car Company Ltd announced plans to build a factory in Swindon, Wiltshire, England
Thursday 13th July 1989 The Honda Motor Car Company Ltd announced plans to build a factory in Swindon, Wiltshire, England. Honda’s decision to invest in production facilities in Swindon came as a result of Honda’s collaboration with British Leyland (BL). (Note Much of the engine manufacturing equipment was shipped to Japan and has most recently…
British Aerospace (BAe) purchased ‘The Rover Group’ for £150 million
Thursday 11th August 1988 British Aerospace (BAe) purchased ‘The Rover Group’ for £150 million. The Rover Group plc was the name given in 1986 to the British vehicle manufacturer BL (formerly British Leyland), which had been state-owned company since 1975. It initially included the Austin Rover Group car business (comprising the Austin, Rover, Mini and…
Austin-Rover was renamed the Rover Group
Thursday 12th June 1986 Austin-Rover was renamed the Rover Group. It initially included the Austin Rover Group car business (comprising the Austin, Rover, Mini and MG marques), Land Rover Group, Freight Rover vans and Leyland Trucks. The Rover Group was owned by British Aerospace (BAe) from 1988 to 1994, when BAe sold the remaining car…
British Army Brigadier John Hemsley and his wife and Dr Lucy Hemsley, driving a Range Rover began their record-breaking journey from Capetown, South African to London
Saturday 8th January 1983 British Army Brigadier John Hemsley and his wife and Dr Lucy Hemsley, driving a Range Rover began their record-breaking journey from Capetown, South African to London. The 11,674 mile road route was covered in 14 days 19 hours 26 minutes. Apart from the Channel crossing they were the first to drive…
British Leyland announced a new deal with the Japanese car and motorcycle giant, Honda
Thursday 12th November 1981 British Leyland announced a new deal with the Japanese car and motorcycle giant, Honda. They planned a joint venture of a middle-range executive car for the 1990s, codenamed ‘Project XX’. The new models (Rover 200, 400 and 600 series) would slot in between the group’s Triumph and Jaguar ranges.
British Leyland (BL) announced it was to end production of all MG models
Monday 10th September 1979 British Leyland (BL) announced it was to end production of all MG models. The history of the marque has been a bumpy one since the creation of the brand in 1924 by Cecil Kimber, who chose the letters MG as a tribute to William Morris, the owner of Morris Garages.The original…
British Leyland Motors Inc
Friday 30th March 1979 British Leyland Motors Inc., the United States subsidiary of BL Plc, changed its name to Jaguar Rover Triumph Inc.
The International Motor Show made its first appearance at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham (England), and attracted record crowds of 908,194
Friday 20th October 1978 The International Motor Show made its first appearance at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham (England), and attracted record crowds of 908,194. Cars introduced included: the Austin Montego Estate (the Design Council award-winning family estate from Austin Rover), the Reliant Scimitar SS1 and the Dutton Rico.
British Leyland Chairman Sir Richard Dobson resigned over remarks he made about ”wogs”
Sunday 9th October 1977 British Leyland Chairman Sir Richard Dobson resigned over remarks he made about ”wogs”. The controversial words were spoken during a speech to business men at a privets lunch. He said ”Who would have thought that the Daily Mail would have the bloody nerve to bride somebody 5,000 to reveal the documents…