Longbridge prototypes spotted

[Dick Cheeseburger]

Looks like this lot may be saved. I'm amazed they survived this long without being sent to the crusher as with most other prototypes tbf. 

On a personal level, it would be good to see the MGF coupe in the metal if it does manage to end up safe at Gaydon. Fingers crossed.

http://BBC News - 'Rare' MG Rovers 'to be moved from Longbridge car plant' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-66992433

[SiC]

Link broken 

[Schaefft]

Fixed: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-66992433

[Dick Cheeseburger]

I knew the site was partly derelict - it transpires there's basically nothing left. 

 

[sierraman]

I’d doubt very much if MG have any interest in preserving these, it’s probably just a massive ball ache for them. I don’t know why they don’t sell them off. 

[quicksilver]

36 minutes ago, sierraman said:

I’d doubt very much if MG have any interest in preserving these, it’s probably just a massive ball ache for them. I don’t know why they don’t sell them off. 

Or just write them off the books and give them to Gaydon. They're unlikely to have any financial value or use to  SAIC and are just liabilities so a donation would surely be easier than trying to value them and put the sale through their accounts.

[Dick Cheeseburger]

Someone within SAIC valued their significance at some point. The fact they've remained intact and in dry storage onsite until recently says it all. However, something's clearly changed for them to be unceremoniously dumped out front - lots of the remaining buildings appear to be derelict - I wonder if the place where they were stored is being stripped out for demolition?

I'm not convinced any conversations with Gaydon happened until the public noticed the cars left outside. 

[goosey]

2 hours ago, Dick Longbridge said:

I knew the site was partly derelict - it transpires there's basically nothing left. 

 

The building with the round tank outside near the end of the drone footage just as he’s zooming in on the Vivaro security dog van on the right of the shot is the research and development building. Or at least it was back in 2014

[Dick Cheeseburger]

9 hours ago, goosey said:

The building with the round tank outside near the end of the drone footage just as he’s zooming in on the Vivaro security dog van on the right of the shot is the research and development building. Or at least it was back in 2014

I do wonder what the skeleton staff remaining on site actually do. 

[Alusilber]

These prototypes/mockups should have been transferred to Gaydon back in 2005, since they were hardly going to be of any use to SAIC. Moving them "temporarily" into open storage without so much as a tarp over them shows how much Chinese MG really cares about its heritage.

[lesapandre]

12 hours ago, Dick Longbridge said:

I do wonder what the skeleton staff remaining on site actually do. 

Security, firewatch and probably for insurance purposes. It's a wonder MG even need it.

So really just 'The Elephant House' - BMC's original circular showrooms and the 'Kremlin' - the main office block survive - both of which are unlisted buildings - so vulnerable to demolition even now.

Some of the site may still be zoned as industrial land - but it is difficult to see what use it would be for - given the terrain, the ringing in by residential development and the relatively poor road access. 

All such a pity. In the expansionist 50's and 'Austin of England' era who would have foreseen it would come to this...

"Nothing beside remains. Round the decay of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare the lone and level sands stretch far away.”

Percy Bysshe Shelley

[lesapandre]

On 10/4/2023 at 8:02 AM, Dick Longbridge said:

Looks like this lot may be saved. I'm amazed they survived this long without being sent to the crusher as with most other prototypes tbf. 

On a personal level, it would be good to see the MGF coupe in the metal if it does manage to end up safe at Gaydon. Fingers crossed.

http://BBC News - 'Rare' MG Rovers 'to be moved from Longbridge car plant' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-66992433

The trouble for any museum is capacity and storage - but let's hope they find a home.

The grave, which can be visited, of Lord & Lady Austin - Herbert Austin, is in the graveyard of  Holy Trinity Church at Lickey - just a couple of miles from the Longbridge factory and a mile from his house at Lickey Grange (which survives and is now flats.)

The fascinating 'Austin Village' also survives - which again is worth a trip if you are in the area. 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_Village

[lesapandre]

This clip (without sound) gives a flavour of the works in 1951 - all sunny optimism. Fellow with the glasses is Leonard Lord - the Austin chief. 

This is just pre- the BMC merger. At this point Austin were independent.

[Dick Cheeseburger]

Looks like the building where the prototypes were being stored is 'being refurbished'.

That old chestnut! 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-66992433

 

[Lankytim]

Is it true that a massive VAT bill would need to be paid if these prototypes escaped into the wild? It’s something I heard a while back and is apparently one of the reasons so many manufacturers crush test and development cars. 

[sheffcortinacentre]

I believe that is so, also that some won't meet things like type approval.

I believe this is why the RWD mk5-6 escort RS2000 was only on the road upto the point of needing it's first MOT ( it's now in the German ford collection).

[Dick Cheeseburger]

I'm still surprised SAIC didn't weigh them in years back. Clearly there was some sort of plan which has now changed. It would be great if Gaydon could squeeze in the most unusual motors. I wonder what the score with the MGB Roadster is? 

[Dick Cheeseburger]

Good news. Gaydon have agreed to take them on. 

https://www.aronline.co.uk/news/mg-rover-prototypes-saved/

[tooSavvy]

..... ahh! ♥️

[hairnet]

in the article they mentioned vauxhalls

are they on display at the moment

will be not far from gaydon in next few days

 

[PiperCub]

On 05/10/2023 at 22:10, sheffcortinacentre said:

I believe that is so, also that some won't meet things like type approval.

I believe this is why the RWD mk5-6 escort RS2000 was only on the road upto the point of needing it's first MOT ( it's now in the German ford collection).

That's my first thought, product liabilities etc etc are the reasons most prototypes are crushed or put in museums. 

As others have said, suspect SAIC don't  care about them at all. Having seen how good an MX5 NA looked in coupe form, the TF coupe would be interesting  to see.