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Rootes Birmingham
- Thread starter rocketron
- Start date
Very interesting Len, would you believe I was one of those apprentices road testing the Imp.
We covered a fair few miles every day, one route being. Linwwod, Ayr, Stranraer, Dumfries back to Linwwod.
What more could a young man want, a nippy little car free petrol and the freedom to cover as many miles as he could in a day.
We covered a fair few miles every day, one route being. Linwwod, Ayr, Stranraer, Dumfries back to Linwwod.
What more could a young man want, a nippy little car free petrol and the freedom to cover as many miles as he could in a day.
oldMohawk
gone but not forgotten
I helped to develop the Hillman Imp I was a customer 
Once I had helped Rootes to sort it out, it was a nice little car, I could out-corner Minis most of the time. I learnt to drive in one, and I part-exchanged my first one for another. Enjoyed the Video.
oldmohawk
Once I had helped Rootes to sort it out, it was a nice little car, I could out-corner Minis most of the time. I learnt to drive in one, and I part-exchanged my first one for another. Enjoyed the Video.
oldmohawk
S
Stitcher
Guest
Singer Motors on Coventry Road.
Was this once a Rootes factory??
dek carr
gone but not forgotten
I helped to develop the Hillman Imp I was a customer
Once I had helped Rootes to sort it out, it was a nice little car, I could out-corner Minis most of the time. I learnt to drive in one, and I part-exchanged my first one for another. Enjoyed the Video.
oldmohawk
I had an Imp lovely car to work on you could get the engine out in 15 minutes just put blocks of wood under it take the back bumper off undo a few bolts and just push the body out of the way and there was your engine ready to work on.Dek
Yes shortie is correct i know i lived across the rd from it on the cocventry rd and seen the demolition of it as well and when the car sales was reformed and set up and i seen the disapeareance of there sales fore court ; and watched the building of asda daily fom our housefront room on the coventry facing asda super store and watch the wekly or fornight robberys of there stores on a fortninghtly basis even thou they had security ;
they used to ram raid the front revolving doors and there fag counter was only a couple of feet inside the door ;
they must have spent a fortune in the early years of opening ; but eventualy they finaly got it together and changed the whol concept ;
best wishes Astonian
they used to ram raid the front revolving doors and there fag counter was only a couple of feet inside the door ;
they must have spent a fortune in the early years of opening ; but eventualy they finaly got it together and changed the whol concept ;
best wishes Astonian
Shortie
master brummie
Hi Astonian
Well I only went to live there (South Yardley) in 1956 and that was only for five years, so I did not see any changes taking place. That is not to say I did not know about them, because I regularly visit a friend who lives in Common Lane, Sheldon. I don't actually drive down the Coventry Road all of the way, because I take the by-pass from Watery Lane. I have seen to Asda store but never been inside. I have fond memories of how the Coventry Road in Small Heath, used to be. I used to go to the swimming baths (never could swim though) and knew all the shops/buildings on the bus route. I know things have to alter, but it had 'flavour', now it is rather more bland.
Shortie
Well I only went to live there (South Yardley) in 1956 and that was only for five years, so I did not see any changes taking place. That is not to say I did not know about them, because I regularly visit a friend who lives in Common Lane, Sheldon. I don't actually drive down the Coventry Road all of the way, because I take the by-pass from Watery Lane. I have seen to Asda store but never been inside. I have fond memories of how the Coventry Road in Small Heath, used to be. I used to go to the swimming baths (never could swim though) and knew all the shops/buildings on the bus route. I know things have to alter, but it had 'flavour', now it is rather more bland.
Shortie
S
Stitcher
Guest
My first car was a singer(lord only knows which model) and I felt sure I went that building for a spare part. It was over fifty years ago so the memory is a trifle vague.
oldbrit
OldBrit in Exile
I worked for Rootes on Cov Rd after I got out of the RAF for a while, rode my bike to work every day rain snow or shine. The worst job I ever had! cost accounting boring! Hillman humber singer sunbeam etc. Often wondered if the place is still there. John Crump OldBrit Parker, Co USA
cregoe kid
proper brummie kid
I am the proud owner of a 1966 Singer Vogue, 34.000 miles from new registered in London but never left Cornwall, I am only the second owner, first owner was a Doctor in Redruth, he passed away in 1975, his wife locked it away in the garage , I came across it last year and spent two weeks getting it ready for the road and spent this year going to local car shows.
Just as a last word, I drove a van for John Morgan, Camden Street, he made sun visors and mirrors for all the motor makers including Rootes so I probably delivered the sun visors in my Singer.
Just as a last word, I drove a van for John Morgan, Camden Street, he made sun visors and mirrors for all the motor makers including Rootes so I probably delivered the sun visors in my Singer.
W
Wendy
Guest
My lovely late brother in law Ray Middleton worked at Roots after he came out of the Air Force. He worked there until he retired by that time it was Peugeot. He was the stores manager then parts manager.
shyster2008
proper brummie kid
It was indeed a Rootes Factory...In fact, the only Rootes Factory that was in Birmingham...
There were 4 Advertising Slogans on the top of the Building that read "Hillman, Humber, Sunbeam, Singer"....(Not sure whether I got them in the right order)
I worked next door at George Heath Motors....Our Building was to the left of the photo and the Rootes Social Club was to the right.
Used to go to "Bedders" for Lunch....Best Chipshop on the Planet...
At the time I lived in Newbridge Road which was a 15 minutes walk to work...
I think I have some old Photos of the Rootes Building...Will need to go and dig in the "Archives" for them!!!!!
Brian
There were 4 Advertising Slogans on the top of the Building that read "Hillman, Humber, Sunbeam, Singer"....(Not sure whether I got them in the right order)
I worked next door at George Heath Motors....Our Building was to the left of the photo and the Rootes Social Club was to the right.
Used to go to "Bedders" for Lunch....Best Chipshop on the Planet...
At the time I lived in Newbridge Road which was a 15 minutes walk to work...
I think I have some old Photos of the Rootes Building...Will need to go and dig in the "Archives" for them!!!!!
Brian
shyster2008
proper brummie kid
I used to have a Sunbeam Rapier H120 with Gull Wings...How I loved that car....1st car I owned...Reg No 999 FOF...Now how is that for a Number???
Passed my Test after 6 lessons and got into it and drove all the way to Sutton Coldfield on my own with no Dash Lights...Scary...
I think it was the 1st Production model with "Overdrive"...
Brian.
Passed my Test after 6 lessons and got into it and drove all the way to Sutton Coldfield on my own with no Dash Lights...Scary...
I think it was the 1st Production model with "Overdrive"...
Brian.
oldbrit
OldBrit in Exile
I also worked at the Rootes factory on Cov rd, I was in the cost accounting dept. this was in the early 50s before I left for the USA. Rode my bike every day from Moat Lane Yardley to the factory in all kinds of good and BAD weather. John Crump OlBrit in Sunny Cold Parker.Colorado USA
brummie nick
master brummie
Was it called the 'Singer' in the 1950's My father worked there, think he worked in the Anealing shop.
Nick
Nick
shyster2008
proper brummie kid
I only remember it being what I said in my last Thread..Sorry...But from what I can remember from the folks I worked with I think..And only think it was Originally called "Singer".
Brian.
Brian.
cregoe kid
proper brummie kid
Hi Lyn.
When I've worked out how to put photos on the site I'll post them. Singer's been put to bed for the winter, she'll be out first sunny day in the spring.
cregoe kid
proper brummie kid
Going to visit my sister in Brum next month, lived in a number of places over the years, but always look on going to Brum as going home, visiting the Classic Motor Show at the NEC whilst i'm there then back to Cornwall.
thats great do hope you enjoy your trip back home..i love to hear it when people say that even though they have moved from brum its still close to their hearts..
lyn
My father used to work here too in the Parts Division, Cliff Sumner.......anyone remember him? He ended his working days (as a Distribution manager?) in Brum. I worked there too as a temp in 1976. Lunch used to be in "The Good Companions" pub as I recall ;-) All eons ago now eh!
