A battered mini clubman that lay in the tunnels under birminghams longbridge factory for 30 years making it the last mini to leave the site. Inside the eerie factory tunnels safe from german bombers daily mail. The last classic mini will be built at longbridge on wednesday, october 4, 2000 at approximately 10. The longbridge tunnel mini clubman 1275gt heads to auction. Clubman in the longbridge tunnels page 2 mini chat. The mini countryman lets you embark on a unique adventure every time you switch on the engine. For decades, the last mini from british leylands former longbridge plant near birmingham, england, sat abandoned in the maze of tunnels. Australian clubman saloons were marketed under the morris mini clubman name when introduced in august 1971, and as the leyland mini, without the clubman name, from february 1973. Needs some work around the edges but a great project. Buy mini clubman saloon estate handbook 8th by british leyland isbn. For those of you who have been curious to know why mini is evolving the brand and.
Containing unique images from the offical company archive, this book charts almost 100 years of carmaking at longbridge near birmingham. Return to longbridge eastworks tunnels uk urban exploration cheyenne. Are there direct trains from northfield to longbridge. Francis frith the uks leading publisher of local photographs since 1860. Final longbridge factory mini sold at auction bbc news. The picturesque roads and stunning scenery will have you on the edge of your seat. All new mini vehicles sold in the uk as of july 2018 are. The story is a few years old at this point, but check it out here on, which starts up following its rescue and eventual auction. The car, which has an interesting history goes to auction, and its. Sheldon, coventry rd to longbridge 6 ways to travel via. Mar 31, 2000 longbridge the inside story as the west midlands prepares for britains biggest industrial protest in years, angry and demoralised staff talk of their despair and fears for the future rover in. It perfectly blends versatility, spaciousness, craftsmanship, and performance to deliver an enjoyable drive that fits everything you need in.
Blackout below birmingham in the abandoned wwii tunnels atlas. The mini was a fairly loaded example as these cars go, being a clubman 1275gt. Rail around birmingham takes a look at the changing face of the railway in and around birmingham and the west midlands, past and present. Do it yourself servicing and maintenance for practical owners abbey, staton on. Mini clubman city unveiled in the uk as more affordable choice.
The austin motor company was founded here by herbert austin in 1905 and it has since been home to british motor corporation, british leyland, rover group and latterly mg rover. Trial of mobile app to book space at longbridge park and. Mini clubman found decaying in a longbridge tunnel to be sold at auction. This was essentially a cooper s in clubman body, equipped with the same 7. The mini clubman so famously rescued from the longbridge tunnels in 2012 fell short of impressing at auction. My first car was a 1967 classic austin mini 850, then i aspired to own a clubman or 1275gt never did though. Longbridge tour an account of a visit to the longbridge works in 1929. To which is added, observations and informations to those who intend visiting llandrindod. This is a niche product that is probably fairly small, in the opposite.
Since our office and factory are in a rural area, our staff travel to work individually by car and we have enough space to maintain social distancing, so in consultation with our staff, we have decided to remain open for business unless government policy changes. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Mini clubman found decaying in a longbridge tunnel to be. Longbridge plant is an industrial complex in longbridge, birmingham, england, currently. The mini is a small economy car produced by the englishbased british motor corporation. The mini clubman so famously rescued from the longbridge tunnels in 2012 making it the final new example of its type to leave the factory will be going on sale at silverstone auctions on 27 july. Mini clubman found decaying in a longbridge tunnel to be sold at. When the tunnel was set to be filled in, enthusiasts rushed to extract the mini from its tomb. All disused and operational railway stations and lines are covered in detail with both historical and contemporary maps provided, photographs of the present station andor site and information about their history and evolution. This model is aimed at giving a more goanywherereasonable capability rather than. The longbridge works of the austin motor company is situated seven miles south of birmingham on the main road that runs from the city centre to worcester. Entrance to the longbridge tunnels all photographs by the author. Dec 02, 2014 blackout below birmingham in the abandoned wwii tunnels. May 14, 20 image caption the mini clubman was found in a tunnel under the longbridge plant.
But longbridge is on its way back the giant plant, focus of the british car industry during the tumultuous 1970s, is being recreated as a town of 2,000 homes and. A decaying mini clubman that lay hidden in the tunnels under the longbridge factory for 30 years, making it the last mini to leave the famous site, is being put up for auction. The tour begins with a short powerpoint presentation in the adjoining lecture theatre, which covers the history of the. There are 4 ways to get from evesham to longbridge by bus, train, taxi or car. The tour begins with a short powerpoint presentation in the adjoining lecture theatre, which covers the history of the longbridge site and the austin and mg marques. Photos, maps, personal memories and local books of longbridge. How to get from evesham to longbridge by bus, train, taxi.
The last mini to leave the longbridge factory has sold for. With its iconic split rear doors, the mini clubman is the perfect car for those with personality. Last longbridge factory mini in sorry state but sold at auction the. It is a softcover book of 191 pages and was written by gillian bardsley and colin corke and published by the history press in the uk in 2010. Used mini clubman estate for sale used cars gumtree. The mini lineup gains its eighth member in march when the clubman all4 is unveiled at the new york motor show. Buy making cars at longbridge by gillian bardsley, colin corke isbn. Bmwmini board member peter schwarzenbauer took time out of the clubmans european launch to chat about the car and the evolution of the mini brand. Travel by train from northfield to longbridge in 2m. Longbridge tunnels, birmingham aug 20 derelict places.
The stylish design of the exterior and interior is complemented by a particularly highquality array of equipment. May, 20 the mini clubman so famously rescued from the longbridge tunnels in 2012 making it the final new example of its type to leave the factory will be going on sale at silverstone auctions on 27 july. A battered mini clubman that lay in the tunnels under birminghams longbridge factory for 30 years making it the last mini to leave the site is to be auctioned. May 29, 2018 a desirable 1275gt, it was used to run errands around the property before an accident caved the roof in and it was abandoned in the labryrinth of tunnels beneath the plant. The austin motor company was founded here by herbert austin in 1905 and it has since been home to british motor corporation, british. If word out of britain is anything to go on, the clubman wagon could morph into something larger and more palatable to american audiences. The last mini of longbridge was sold at auction to a motor museum eventually, the back seat of the orange mini clubman 1275 gt can be. The mini mark i had three major uk updates the mark ii, the clubman, and the mark iii. Very rare convertible mini in lhd with ac and 1275 engine. The engine in the mini one d clubman city allows the brand to achieve emissions of 109 gkm, the lowest emissions of any clubman model.
There are 6 ways to get from sheldon, coventry rd to longbridge by bus, train, taxi, car or towncar. Book marks 110 years since herbert austin launched his motoring empire. Body panels were produced at swindon and sent by train via gloucester to the new west works. Apr 15, 2007 mini 50 years is a fresh take on a wellcovered subject, and with unusual packaging and character as unique as the cars themselves, this book is a good addition to the enthusiasts shelf. Page 1 of 31 longbridge tunnel mini posted in introduce yourself. Longbridge photos, maps, books, memories francis frith. It was used by workers to travel around the site until it was. Prices can also vary depending the time of day, route and class you book. And with all the charm of a mini plus a load of extra luggage space, it has won over drivers ever since. Repair manuals for the simplest of task to the most complex are described in detail with pictures from two of the best know publishers. Production of the longbridge mini will cease on october 4, after 41 years continuous build, it has been announced.
A desirable 1275gt, it was used to run errands around the property before an accident caved the roof in and it was abandoned in the labryrinth of tunnels beneath the plant. It was manufactured at the longbridge plant in england located next to bmcs. The mini brand has a long and renowned history and many books have been written on the subject for both your enjoyment and information. Blackout below birmingham in the abandoned wwii tunnels. 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. Select an option below to see stepbystep directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in rome2rios travel planner. Longbridge tunnels, birmingham aug 20 i popped down a couple of weeks ago without my camera and decided to pop back down technically i was on 1 10 so this is a dinner hour visit the entry is starting to get a bit dodgy, someone has gone through one of the bottom steps and one of the steps higher up started to crumble below my foot which. But longbridge is on its way back the giant plant, focus of the british car industry during the tumultuous 1970s, is. May 14, 20 this piece first broadcast on 14 may 20. Longbridge tunnel mini clubman to be auctioned bbc news. The car, which has an interesting history goes to auction, and its owner, steve morgan has confirmed its being sold at no reserve. Apr 09, 2012 visitors are met in the brandnew sales centre with complimentary tea and coffee.
Image caption the mini clubman was recovered last year. Page 2 of 3 clubman in the longbridge tunnels posted in mini chat. Last longbridge mini found decaying in a tunnel for sale. Final longbridge factory mini sold at auction 28 july 20 bbc. Mini heritage 5 motorsport legend john cooper saw star racing potential in the original mini so he created a model for the track. Longbridge the inside story as the west midlands prepares for britains biggest industrial protest in years, angry and demoralised staff talk of their despair and fears for the future rover in. Austin and morris minis, wolesely hornet, riley elf, clubman, 1275 gt, cooper and cooper s models and the minimoke. Dec 09, 2012 afrter being dumped down a tunnel under longbridge in the late 1970s where it was stripped and battered by everyman and his dog and is now out and going to be restored this is part 2 of its. Mark i mini cars on the assembly line at a british motor corporation bmc. A car hidden for more than 30 years after being left in a tunnel under the factory where it was built is to be. Longbridge tunnel mini goes to auction honest john. However, after a shipping container fell on the roof, the cost to repair was deemed to high and the mini abandoned. Image caption the mini clubman was found in a tunnel under the longbridge plant.
Austin and morris minis, wolesely hornet, riley elf, clubman, 1275 gt, cooper and cooper s models and the. The new mini r50 preparations to build it at longbridge it is necessary to explain how cars were produced at longbridge in 1998. Production of the mg 3 super mini began at longbridge in 2012, and by 2014 there were some 400 people working. Thank you for your continued support in these difficult times. Longbridge plant news newspapers books scholar jstor december 2015 learn how. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
Obviously bl discontinued the clubmans long before the normal mini, so sales must have been lower in the 70s. Jul 28, 20 the mini clubman so famously rescued from the longbridge tunnels in 2012 fell short of impressing at auction. There is a reasonable question to be asked about how many people want the clubman with a big power hike and fourwheel drive. Televised on uks regional television bbc1 west midlands. Most of the longbridge site is currently being redeveloped, the remaining buildings still standing are owned by the. Octane uk, august 2007 lots of unusual pics and bright design make for an interesting browse, even for nonmini maniacs. Longbridge mini assembly old photo by mini clubman, mini coopers, classic mini, classic. Mark i mini cars on the assembly line at a british motor.
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