Fisher & Ludlows factory

[chrissyrigsby]

My dad worked there to and we lived in Millinghton, what number did you live at ¿

Number 89

 

[Billie23]

Hi I'm looking for some information about Thomas Vincent who worked here in 1966. Before and after this year

 

[Wartimegal]

Hello Mallosa,

I came across your post whilst browsing the forum and I picked up on the name George Bousfield he was my Mother-in-Laws (Olive) brother (my Wife's uncle) who sadly passed away whilst working nights at Fishers. I asked my Wife if that was his old address & she confirmed that indeed it was. He had two children (Linda & John). A mention also for Ronnie Leek (Mother-in-Laws Brother-in-Law & also my Wife's uncle who also worked there for several years.

Lozellian.

Hi Mallosa, just read your old post to me, George came to my wedding in 1960. Along with my boss Alan Whittaker. I also went to school to Lozells Sec. Mod in 1951 ish, I noticed you lived in Lozells, I lived in Gordon St. opposite Burbury Park.

 

[Punch]

Better late than never - I've finally found the photos that I promised.

I think this was around 1970, My Dad used to organise the F & L Pensioner outings as a Welfare Officer working for the Company.

Fisher & Ludlow Snooker Team

Better late than never - I've finally found the photos that I promised.

I think this was around 1970, My Dad used to organise the F & L Pensioner outings as a Welfare Officer working for the Company.

Fisher & Ludlow Snooker Team

3rd photo down the guy sitting on the extreme left with glasses was Tom Jones who worked as a pattern maker. His wood working skills were unbelievable in his spare time he was a keen cyclist.

 

[castalla]

See my old neighbour Mr Bowen in a few photos, or as our kids new him was the Polo Man , because when he was going home always offered us kids a Polo Mint, lovely family

 

[Holtie]

My Dad used to drive past the factory and tell of how well the cars were built.I think I’m right in saying he helped build the Wolsey 1500s ?
My Dads name was William ‘Bill’ Holt.
I’d love a 1960s Wolsley myself now who knows I might get one my Father helped build!

 

[Allotmenttoddler]

3rd photo down the guy sitting on the extreme left with glasses was Tom Jones who worked as a pattern maker. His wood working skills were unbelievable in his spare time he was a keen cyclist.

My cousins father Alan Bellew worked at Fisher and Ludlow I think in the 1950s as did his father in law ( how he met his wife) Ted Caudle.
Ted was the youngest of the Caudle brothers and my own Grandad William was the eldest. Photos are great but I don’t recognise anyone sadly!

 

[changinman1]

W

 

[changinman1]

I wonder if anyone has anything on my Grandad Charlie Field , he definitely worked here but it may have been when he came out of ww2 as he was a sheet metal worker he was involved in aircraft manufacture I think at F&L

 

[Austin Champ]

Does anyone remember the Austin Champ. 1952 to '56, built as a Jeep replacement for the British army? Fisher & Ludlow built the bodies which were then shipped to Longbridge. I am writing a book about the Austin Champ and have been searching for many years for photographs of the bodies being constructed.
I would appreciate any information at all. Thanks in anticipation. Andrew W.

 

[Richard Dye]

Does anyone remember the Austin Champ. 1952 to '56, built as a Jeep replacement for the British army? Fisher & Ludlow built the bodies which were then shipped to Longbridge. I am writing a book about the Austin Champ and have been searching for many years for photographs of the bodies being constructed.
I would appreciate any information at all. Thanks in anticipation. Andrew W.

I Rembrandt the Champ although a little before my time. I always wondered why they did not use the Williys set up and put an Austin engine and trans in. It was a tried and proven design.

 

[nickcc101]

Does anyone remember the Austin Champ. 1952 to '56, built as a Jeep replacement for the British army? Fisher & Ludlow built the bodies which were then shipped to Longbridge. I am writing a book about the Austin Champ and have been searching for many years for photographs of the bodies being constructed.
I would appreciate any information at all. Thanks in anticipation. Andrew W.

I remember the Austin Gypsy the follow on to the champ mainly because I was caught speeding in 1966 when Birmingham city police used them for the radar speedchecks.

 

[bombed out brummie]

My father worked at Fisher and Ludlow's in Bradford Street in the 1930s, and when they moved to Warner Street, then to Castle Bromwich. He worked in the press tool try out until 1980, having done 50 years service. But I am sorry, but I don't remember him ever mentioning the Austin Champ, so I am afraid I can't help you. But good luck with your book.

 

[Austin Champ]

Thanks for taking the trouble to reply, and thanks for the other recent comments.
The Champ was designed by a specialist team at the Ministry of Supply who all thought they knew better than the established manufacturers of the day. (They didn't and the Champ ended up with two gearboxes, five reverse gears and the ability to drive through 6ft of water, attributes it very rarely, if ever, needed in service). The army's stock of Willys and Ford Jeeps of WW2 vintage was diminishing and Willys were due to discontinue the model anyway. The Production Specification, originally dated 12/10/48 included compulsory use of the Rolls Royce standardised B40 engine, the B-series (B40, 4 cylinder, B60, 6-cylinder and B80 8-cylinder petrol engines) had been selected as the future for the army's range of what were called 'Combat Trucks'. As a result of the very strict design criteria Land Rover were forced to pull out of the tendering for the new vehicle, leaving Austin to continue with the prototypes and subsequently the production run. The initial order was for 15,000 but it was cut short and only around 11,800 were manufactured for British forces and 400 for Australia. A 'civilian' version with the Austin A90 engine was made for export but only around 750 were made. It is likely that Austin made a loss on the whole project. (A bit like the Mini!)
All the bodies were made at Fisher & Ludlow and transported to the Longbridge production line. Spare bodies were probably delivered directly to Army stores depots.
The Ministry used to have photographs taken of every mortal thing so, somewhere, there would have been a shed full of photos of Champs at F&L. I have been searching for over 20 years and have never found one. Not one. And of course, as a new and secret vehicle for the military, it was not uncommon for the taking of personal photographs to be discouraged or even prohibited. Sadly I am coming to the conclusion that these photos have been disposed of years ago.
Ultimately the cost of the Champ and the fact that it ended up being used more as a runabout rather than the front-line combat vehicle it was designed as, meant that the Land Rover (1/2 the price to buy and far cheaper to maintain) took over and the Champs were all sold off at auction. They'd all gone out of army service by about 1969. It was possible to buy a Champ in 1964-'65 for £25 whereas a Land Rover at the same auction would be £100 or more. A few survive in the hands of enthusiasts, they create interest at shows and rallies and numerous people ask "What is it?"
The search continues !!! Andrew.

 

[Richard Dye]

Thanks for taking the trouble to reply, and thanks for the other recent comments.
The Champ was designed by a specialist team at the Ministry of Supply who all thought they knew better than the established manufacturers of the day. (They didn't and the Champ ended up with two gearboxes, five reverse gears and the ability to drive through 6ft of water, attributes it very rarely, if ever, needed in service). The army's stock of Willys and Ford Jeeps of WW2 vintage was diminishing and Willys were due to discontinue the model anyway. The Production Specification, originally dated 12/10/48 included compulsory use of the Rolls Royce standardised B40 engine, the B-series (B40, 4 cylinder, B60, 6-cylinder and B80 8-cylinder petrol engines) had been selected as the future for the army's range of what were called 'Combat Trucks'. As a result of the very strict design criteria Land Rover were forced to pull out of the tendering for the new vehicle, leaving Austin to continue with the prototypes and subsequently the production run. The initial order was for 15,000 but it was cut short and only around 11,800 were manufactured for British forces and 400 for Australia. A 'civilian' version with the Austin A90 engine was made for export but only around 750 were made. It is likely that Austin made a loss on the whole project. (A bit like the Mini!)
All the bodies were made at Fisher & Ludlow and transported to the Longbridge production line. Spare bodies were probably delivered directly to Army stores depots.
The Ministry used to have photographs taken of every mortal thing so, somewhere, there would have been a shed full of photos of Champs at F&L. I have been searching for over 20 years and have never found one. Not one. And of course, as a new and secret vehicle for the military, it was not uncommon for the taking of personal photographs to be discouraged or even prohibited. Sadly I am coming to the conclusion that these photos have been disposed of years ago.
Ultimately the cost of the Champ and the fact that it ended up being used more as a runabout rather than the front-line combat vehicle it was designed as, meant that the Land Rover (1/2 the price to buy and far cheaper to maintain) took over and the Champs were all sold off at auction. They'd all gone out of army service by about 1969. It was possible to buy a Champ in 1964-'65 for £25 whereas a Land Rover at the same auction would be £100 or more. A few survive in the hands of enthusiasts, they create interest at shows and rallies and numerous people ask "What is it?"
The search continues !!! Andrew.

Thank you! Very interesting synopsis.

 

[mw0njm.]

we was ripped off then we payed £50 in the 60s for a champ

 

[Austin Champ]

we was ripped off then we payed £50 in the 60s for a champ

Don't worry, you weren't ripped off! £50-£55 was more like the normal price. Multiple lots might have 8 Champs for sale and go for £230-250 and the occasional one with very good tyres, sidescreens and doors, all the tools and very low mileage could fetch £100 or more but not very often. The cheapest I've heard of was £17. Members of the public were allowed to attend and bid at the auctions but most Champs went to dealers and most of those were scrapped, a dealer would add his profit on before selling them to the public.
The photo is of an auction page from the 9th of August 1966. Interesting reading.

 

[mw0njm.]

Don't worry, you weren't ripped off! £50-£55 was more like the normal price. Multiple lots might have 8 Champs for sale and go for £230-250 and the occasional one with very good tyres, sidescreens and doors, all the tools and very low mileage could fetch £100 or more but not very often. The cheapest I've heard of was £17. Members of the public were allowed to attend and bid at the auctions but most Champs went to dealers and most of those were scrapped, a dealer would add his profit on before selling them to the public.
The photo is of an auction page from the 9th of August 1966. Interesting reading.

thats ok then

 

[Blacksmith]

My mum, Enid Burton, in the wages office in 1929. She is the one sitting down at the back.

 

[Blacksmith]

Another of her in 1929.

 

[Blacksmith]

And another

 

[Blacksmith]

This one was taken on the roof of Fishers on Good Friday 1928. My mum is second on the left.

 

[Blacksmith]

Another from the same day. My mum is at the back of the line.

 

[brummieJK]

Few photos from my great grandfathers time at the company (Arthur Newey), suspect these are 1930s. Not sure of his exact job title but he was an engineer and expect he had a hand in the design of the press pictured.

 

[Richard Dye]

Few photos from my great grandfathers time at the company (Arthur Newey), suspect these are 1930s. Not sure of his exact job title but he was an engineer and expect he had a hand in the design of the press pictured.


View attachment 190112View attachment 190113View attachment 190114

That is a double action back geared press, frequently used for deeper draws like the part shown in the last photo. The press was most likely purchased, the tools to make the part would be most likely commissioned by F&L.