123 replies to this topic

[mab01uk]

In order for this rather 'beat up' Mini Clubman bodyshell to reach the 20K mentioned by some at auction you would need to have at least two people with 'far more money than sense' bidding against each other...........it will be interesting to see what happens on the day and who was closest to guessing the final selling price achieved.

[mk1leg]

 

NO he was the rebel Union strike leader......

exactly, I suggest you read a little more deeply into the saga of the decline of the British motor industry before making sweeping statements.

 

whats your problem..............the unions killed off the motor industry............you were only a kid when this happened........I might not know all the facts but I'm a little bit older then you and went through these strikes,,,,,,the workers on the production line left out head gaskest and other engine gaskets and on the bodys forgot yo seal panels so water got in .....so as when the cars were going back to the dealers with these faults it was BL-rover who had to foot the repair bills..................

[Tamworthbay]

NO he was the rebel Union strike leader......

exactly, I suggest you read a little more deeply into the saga of the decline of the British motor industry before making sweeping statements.

whats your problem..............the unions killed off the motor industry............you were only a kid when this happened........I might not know all the facts but I'm a little bit older then you and went through these strikes,,,,,,the workers on the production line left out head gaskest and other engine gaskets and on the bodys forgot yo seal panels so water got in .....so as when the cars were going back to the dealers with these faults it was BL-rover who had to foot the repair bills..................

I may have been only a kid but my family lived through this, they and I were there, I now work with people who were there, not reading the BS in the red tops and living hundreds of miles away, so what's your problem?

[mab01uk]

An interesting in depth account of the Cowley 'Washing Up' strike well worth reading on AROnline here:-

http://www.aronline....-all-washed-up/

 

Also interesting comments from Transport and General Workers Union Oxford district official David Buckle who led the Cowley strike and retired from the TGWU in 1989 and wrote his memoirs, ‘Turbulent Times in the Car Industry’, in 2011. Although David Buckle was hostile towards BL management, he is full of praise for BMW, the present owners of the Pressed Steel site (MINI Plant Oxford) that he began working at in 1950:-

 

‘BMW is the present owner of the old Pressed Steel Factory where they have substantially increased investment to make it the plant we should all have had from the 1950s to the 1980s. Employees now enjoy much safer working conditions in a factory, which is far cleaner, safer and much quieter than in the old days. No longer is there lead in the atmosphere causing lead poisoning, nor extremely high levels of noise causing many employees to suffer from tinnitus. Power assisted tools are banned and the factory is very clean, quiet, and much brighter compared to the appalling conditions of the past.’

[mk1leg]

Its a shame that if the Union leaders put as much effort into the work place then going on STRIKE then the BMC and the like would still me making great cars today in stead of the Japs, Germans, Italians and French

[Tamworthbay]

An interesting in depth account of the Cowley 'Washing Up' strike well worth reading on AROnline here:-
http://www.aronline....-all-washed-up/
 
Also interesting comments from Transport and General Workers Union Oxford district official David Buckle who led the Cowley strike and retired from the TGWU in 1989 and wrote his memoirs, ‘Turbulent Times in the Car Industry’, in 2011. Although David Buckle was hostile towards BL management, he is full of praise for BMW, the present owners of the Pressed Steel site (MINI Plant Oxford) that he began working at in 1950:-
 
‘BMW is the present owner of the old Pressed Steel Factory where they have substantially increased investment to make it the plant we should all have had from the 1950s to the 1980s. Employees now enjoy much safer working conditions in a factory, which is far cleaner, safer and much quieter than in the old days. No longer is there lead in the atmosphere causing lead poisoning, nor extremely high levels of noise causing many employees to suffer from tinnitus. Power assisted tools are banned and the factory is very clean, quiet, and much brighter compared to the appalling conditions of the past.’

Having been around Pressed Steel Fisher as a kid I could not believe how clean and bright the new MINI plant is, it felt more like a hospital. It is an amazing facility. Perhaps BMW should buy the Longbridge mini and put it on display. They aren't short of a bob or two after all!

[mab01uk]

The Oxford MINI Plant has a suitable Mini museum in the old toolroom building......

[Shifty]

I've been thinking about the value of this car and I think I've got caught up in the hype. £10k  is silly money for it, lets hope everyone else comes to their senses as well.

[slivers501]

If u have a proper business plan there are proper investors out there to approach they will soon tell you if your idea is worth anything or weather it's just a dream

[minicrazy.co.uk]

Hi All,

 

Wow....... So we've go from a simple idea to a discussion (well some may call it that) about the demise of the british car industry......... Its a shame I do not have enough time to engage in that converstation.

 

Back to my orignal ask...... I feel it would be right to try and purchase this car, thats it really! I have an idea that I am woking towards and thought this car would be a great addition to that. There are servel arguments, pro's and con's  and opinions. I just though for a small sum everyone could be doing there bit.

 

If everyone who has viewed this post donated a £1 we'd have a great staring point... what is a £1 really! They could all come and view the car in situ in 6 to 12 months amougst some other great Mini's for free (due to their donation) knowing they helped create this. Or alternative stop being negative and actually listen to what im saying and offering in return for a stake in this car...... If we went do the synidcate route.

 

There are hundards or investors out there and I have funding if I want it but after a conversations with the current owner I felt it would be better to either buy it myself or offer my idea to the mini community to see if they would be interested. This could be the first step to something really quite special in all of our mini lifes.

 

I have a business plan for the attraction centre and have the funding in place. I just need the entire collection now, which we all know is going to take me some time but you have to start somewhere.

 

Thanks again

 

Samuel

[TheMiniDream]

What iu honestly dont get is how someone really dont want it?? like before this is a iconic piece of history. some museum must want it. was it a matter of did you want the longbridge mini for 20k or did he actually arrange an interview?? think its worth looking into more, may even be able to get a musem on side fund for it and place it their. is that not worth a try?

[AndyMiniMad.]

You are asking folk for money!! the last time I watched Dragons Den the folk asking for money have to provide information on the business plan and potential investment return. Those that don't, or cant, end up looking a bit foolish and go away with nothing!! I commend your passion for getting your museum up and running, and indeed for trying to purchase this pile of scrap!! (My opinion), to which I'm entitled, but I fear that unless you can prove your business plan then no one will invest in an "IDEA".

Good luck to you and I hope you succeed with your venture, all be it without my investment..

[minicrazy.co.uk]

The car has alreday been offered to a number of museum's and there has been no interest and this is something i have explored but unfortunatly it all takes time, which we are very short on. Im sure when its purchased it may end up in one but more than likely restored.

[Tamworthbay]

Why would anyone restore it? It then becomes 'just another' clubman. This is the strange dilemma of it, you cannot do anything to it without making it worth only a few quid more than any other clubman. So really the question is how much are you willing to pay for a rusty ornament?

[minicrazy.co.uk]

Because that seems to be the more likey currenty outcome due to the interest in it though the auction. It would be a shame to see it restored. I think it may go as high as 10k but am hoping to high hell it doesnt due to my own personal financial limits.