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MGA/MGB INFO
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Dear Taff,
Prior to being at
Rover, I started work as an apprentice for the Pressed Steel company in 1947,
and we made bodies for all the Manufacturers, the only exception being Vauxhall,
we made Rolls Royce, and tried to make a mini Rolls, but found the cost was the
same as full size Rolls, as labour was the main ingredient cost not materials,
and these models were sold off below half cost as the Rolls engine'd Austin 3
Ltr, so anyone getting those, had a real bargain.
Did you know, probable yes, but the MGA & MGB cars were manufactured by a
different process, all other cars were designed and drawn then manufactured, but
the MG's were made by Mr Sid Enever, then given to the draftsmen to draw,
probably why we didn't have so many teething troubles, getting bits to fit.
We made 6 peoples cars in 1948, but Lucas refused to supply us with the
electricals needed, and told us we were body makers not Car manufacturers, had
that not happened you would have seen a rival to the Beetle, long before the
Mini, but in truth, we made, painted and trimmed many makes, and supplied
Austin, Rover, Morris, Hillman, Standard, Ford, Etc for them to put in the
engines and gearboxes and call them their cars. Jaguar and Rolls were supplied
in the white metal.
Kind Regards,
John Austin - 250025
