Posted on

Shadow Factory

Cutting the first sod of ground on the company golf course. Dated 1936.

John Black can be seen with the spade and members of Garlick’s, the Coventry building firm, can be seen in the photo (assuming on the right).
On the second left looks like Leslie Dexter (1897-1937) and 4th from left, Sales Manager (from 1931) and Sales Director (from 1945) Edward (Ted) Martin.

Garlicks – the oldest building contractor in Coventry, which started in 1834. Responsible for many of Coventry’s iconic buildings including those for Standard Triumph and here for the Banner Lane shadow factory, later to become Massey Fergusson.

Links:
R.B Cole General Manager of the Standard shadow factories
Banner Lane – Massey Ferguson

Posted on

Donald Healey

Born 3rd July 1898, died 13th January 1988. Works rally driver, Experimental Manager 1934-1939, and General Manager 1940 under Thos Ward’s ownership. Responsible for the Triumph Southern Cross and straight-eight Triumph Dolomite. Famed “Healey” car marque. Joined Triumph in 1933. Continue reading “Donald Healey”

Posted on

Activity at Allesley

The launching of the Triumph Herald in April was followed in succeeding months by its presentation in the capitals of Europe. In addition, all the other models in the Standard Triumph range had to be prepared for display in the company’s stands at motor shows on the continent.

Earls Court demanded the biggest effort of all, and Service Manager Mr A.G. Brown and his team at Allesley worked against the clock up to the evening of Sunday October 18, 1959 preparing the cars for the show, which was opened to the Press only two days later.

Triumph Herald
This is the immaculate Triumph Herald Coupé which attracted so much attention as it revolved on a turntable at Earls Court. Here, Tony Ewan (left), charge hand mechanic, and Matt Hamilton, painter, are pictured on the car before it left Allesley.

They handled 17 cars for Earls Court, three the the Berkeley Square showrooms and eight demonstration models, including a Herald Saloon in the latest colours of Signal Red and White. The cars for London showrooms and one for Berkeley Square were prepared – for the first time – by the London Service Division.

Here the same Triumph Herald Coupé can be seen on the rotating stand at the 1959 Earls Court Motor Show.

With all the cars all ready in their protective coverings, the Transport Department came into the picture for Phase 2 of the operation – successfully completed by Mr J.H. Holbrook’s* drivers, who delivered their precious cargo unmarked to the exhibition hall.

Meanwhile the Service Department had prepared and sent off six cars for the Turin Show and were getting 23 cars and commercial vehicles ready for the Scottish Motor Show.

Another show car, this time the flip-front bonnet is being demonstrated by Miss Triumph

Altogether, the Service Department prepared 117 cars and commercial vehicles for the shows in 1959, together with 29 vehicles for Press demonstrations – a total of 146.

*J H Holbrook – Jim. Transport Manager with 46 years Service. Retired 1972. MORE…