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Post by seacutter on Feb 12, 2009 17:28:16 GMT
Hi,
Found a report sheet today shoved in the rear window pillar of one of my P5, first time it's seen day light in 40 odd year.
There are 4 drawings of a P5 on one side with remarks on the paint work and on the other side there is a check list there is nothing written on this side
I would post a copy of the report but I don't know how to send a scanned document!
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Post by Colin McA on Feb 12, 2009 18:19:52 GMT
If you have it in electronic form then it is easy enough to do.
If you email me a copy I will post on the forum for you.
Colin
arthuy_@hotmail.com
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Post by johnwp5bcoupe on Feb 12, 2009 19:10:04 GMT
It's strange what you find  I found a wine wholesalers book under my bottom rear arm rest dated 1969  well the first owner was a professor at a well known Cambridge college  |
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Post by Colin McA on Feb 12, 2009 23:00:03 GMT
Very interesting. It looks like it was a Rover inspection check for when the bodies arrived from"pressed steel" Linwood Scotland. There is a man who lives down from me and a few miles away from the factory. He remembers them building P5 shells and in particular the size and weight of the subframes. Nice piece of Rover history. I like the check sheet wording "shape and finish knee cracker" Colin The writing may not be clear on the photo the comments are "run" "dirt" "crator" "flat" "h/paint"   |
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Post by Warwick on Feb 12, 2009 23:29:04 GMT
It's strange what you find I found a wine wholesalers book under my bottom rear arm rest dated 1969 well the first owner was a professor at a well known Cambridge college It would be interesting to know what was on offer John. I doubt that English tastes in wine in the '60s would have been any better than here in Australia. Dreadful stuff. I didn't realize that Pressed Steel was in Scotland. How far did they have to transport the body shells? |
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Post by Phil Nottingham on Feb 12, 2009 23:31:53 GMT
Pressed Steel who were an independent bodypress business then supplying anyone who would pay for the tooling, were bribed along with Rootes Group for their new Imp to open up a factory in an unemployment blackspot in Scotland with waht looked like geneorous government grants Whilst wages were much lower than Cowley and West Midlands productivety was also lower as the workforce was less skilled but equally militant.
Rootes Group had to buy the factory off them in the end to secure its body supplies even though they were almost bankrupt.
Rover as with Rolls Royce who used them then had no leverage over its limited body supply contracts especially when Pressed Steel sold out to BMC and then merged into their Fisher pressing division.
P5 bodies were made in various factories as the tooling was "portable"
Subframes were made by another independent company Thomsons who made the P4 chassis as well - This firm was used by Rolls/Royce and Bentley too!
The Linwood facilities never made a profits for anyone but 3 Litre bodies were far better built (and with thicker stee and more spot welds l) than later P5B's were with BLMC - pity they were not rust-proofed better even though unlike cheaper Fords, BMC's etc of the time they did have some extra protection underneath
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Post by Colin McA on Feb 13, 2009 0:11:46 GMT
There was a railway line into The factory complex at Linwood. Pressed steel made the first 303 class "electric blue" trains at the site 1959-1961. since electrification was only arriving in the west coast the easiest thing to do was send a little steam engine down to collect them and deliver the new units to the depot. I have seen this photo of the IMP which was also built at the same site, the over night trains to the midlands started in 1963. I imagine that they would have done something similar. Check wikipedia for history of pressed steel, interesting reading. I wonder what the carbon footprint of these cars would have been !! You should hear the stories of what went on in these factories, sneaking parts out the gate or over the wall. one of my favorites was the guy delivering tyres/wheels. Story goes he worked out that be taking a few extra tyres every run would give him the opportunity to get an imp in the van and disguise it will a wall of tyres. As he had his quota delivered no one would notice. I expect similar things happened at other site I just hear lots of first hand accounts living so close. Colin  |
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Post by seacutter on Feb 13, 2009 8:23:38 GMT
Thanks Colin for posting the sheet onto the site, if anyone wants a better copy let me know your e-mail address and I will send you one.
Was it the normal practice to leave the report sheets in the rear pillar or was it a one of?
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Post by eisdielenbiker on Feb 13, 2009 9:39:30 GMT
Interesting what you have found in your P5. I have found a tea spoon 'Made in Sheffield' in my P5B center console . I like using it for breakfast cereals now.
Mark
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Post by johnwp5bcoupe on Feb 15, 2009 9:39:55 GMT
It's strange what you find I found a wine wholesalers book under my bottom rear arm rest dated 1969 well the first owner was a professor at a well known Cambridge college It would be interesting to know what was on offer John. I doubt that English tastes in wine in the '60s would have been any better than here in Australia. Dreadful stuff. When she comes out for spring Warwick I will give you some prices the book is in the glove compartment  |
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Post by Warwick on Feb 15, 2009 23:51:48 GMT
Seacutter, Yes, I'd like a copy please. Thanks, Warwick. warwick at regscom dot com dot au When she comes out for spring Warwick I will give you some prices the book is in the glove compartment Let's see if I can guess John - Black Tower, Blue Nun, and perhaps some Ben Ean from Australia. And we couldn't forget Mateus Rose. (Sorry Miguel). Actually a chilled glass of Mateus with lunch on a hot Sunday in summer was not bad. |
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Post by seacutter on Feb 16, 2009 12:58:04 GMT
Hi Warwick,
Copy on it's way to you.
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miguel
Rover Fanatic
Posts: 462
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Post by miguel on Feb 16, 2009 18:24:20 GMT
Actually Mateus Rose cant really be considered a wine... With so many fine wines that one dont make the minimum for the olimpics. In fact I'm sure most of the best wines are consumed within doors... If you need something to cold down in a hot summer I would recomend a super fresh bottle of a green white wine "Alvarinho". If you can find one of course... |
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Post by johnwp5bcoupe on Feb 16, 2009 18:52:06 GMT
Get one on ice for September/October Miguel Description: Alvarinho is the same grape as the Spanish Albariño from just over the border in Rias Baxas. But this is more expressive than most Spanish styles. Aromatic, ripe yet with an apple skin structure - quite delicious and beautifully different. Note too that although strictly a Vinho Verde this is not a wine to have its expressive character hindered by more than slight chilling! Alvarinho Aveleda "Follies" Region Vinho Verde Grape type Alvarinho Producer Aveleda Colour White Wine style Aromatic fruity white Bottle size 75cl Vintage 2006/07 Food The crisp, fresh style means that almost any fish is a candidate for accompaniment, whilst the ripeness will be a foil for a heavy sauce. Goes well with mackerel. Serve too with starters - again in almost any style. £8.75!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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miguel
Rover Fanatic
Posts: 462
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Post by miguel on Feb 16, 2009 21:58:59 GMT
One for September will be!
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I found a wine wholesalers book under my bottom rear arm rest dated 1969 
well the first owner was a professor at a well known Cambridge college 
