Motor Industry Collection

Men at work on the Rapier track at the Rootes Group factory at Ryton, Coventry. 2nd November 1961

More than 50 years of Triumph car production in Coventry came to a quiet and un-ceremonious end today when the last Spitfire left the No 1 track at Canley

Jaguar. The lenghtened assembly tracks at Jaguar Cars, Browns Lane, Coventry - the extensions are in the foreground - which are enabling production of the E-type models to run at an all-time high

Advert for Rover Cars, 1927. A print from Illustrated London News, 22nd January 1927

Aerial view of the Morris Engines factory, Courthouse Green, Coventry. 13th October 1970

Head office and works of Joseph Lucas, Great King Street, Birmingham, West Midlands, 1961. Taken from an artists impression

Lucas factory. Operators in the illuminating department where head lamp reflectors are made. Pictured, Esther McCarthy and Myles McEntire. Birmingham, West Midlands. 2nd October 1967

The Dunlop Factory in The West Midlands, England. Workers making tyres on the production line. Picture taken circa 1930s. Suggested date 1st March 1936

A 1921 Coventry motor cycle - a Triumph Model "H"
A 1921 Coventry motor cycle - a Triumph Model " H" - being presented on permanent loan to the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum by Mr

New life for Canley as the former car assembly plant becomes the all-important engineering centre and office staff headquarters for Austin Morris

British Leyland service and technical specialists from many European countries examine a Coventry-built Triumph Stag during a visit to city for Leyland product briefing session at Radford

Demolition worker Les Gilbert prepares the Morris rebus for its move to the Museum of British Road Transport at Cook Street, Coventry

The Midland Alvis Day organised by Alvis Owners Club at Alvis Ltd. Holyhead, Road, Coventry

Coventrys first registered car, DU1, stands in a storeroom at the Daimler Companys Radford factory as immaculate and road-worthy as the day it was biought nearly 50 years ago. The 23 h.p

Nissan Car Factory at Sunderland May 1993 Nissan Micro production line

Jaguar Cars, Browns Lane, Coventry. A man and the products of his industrial empire. Sir William Lyons, who started a modest business manufacturing sidecars in 1922

An aerial view of Jaguars Browns Lane plant, Coventry 26th July 1988

Jaguar Cars entrance at Browns Lane, Coventry. 14th December 1972

An aerial view of Jaguars Browns Lane plant, Coventry. 26th July 1988

Sir William Lyons who is the founder and chairman of Jaguar Cars, in his office. 1st May 1970

Sir William Lyons and Lady Lyons pictured at the opening of the Jaguar Cars unique and historic jubilee exhibition at the Herbert Art Gallery, Coventry. Sir William is the founder of Jaguar Cars

Advert for Park Ward and Co car coachwork, 1937. A print from The Motor, 4th May 1937

Automobile Advertising (engraving)
602338 Automobile Advertising (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Page from The Graphic (published on 13 February 1897), reading: Prelinary Announcement

Ford Capri was a name used by the Ford Motor Company for three different automobile models. The Ford Consul Capri coupe was produced by Ford of Britain between 1961 and 1964

Hundred of honking, hooting Minis delighted holiday crowds by turning the centre of Coventry into a traffic wardens nightmare

Sunbeam Talbot Alpine trial departure from Ryton factory, Coventry. circa 1958

This Bentley 8-litre engine was built in 1930-towards the end of the "Bentley Era
This Bentley 8-litre engine was built in 1930-towards the end of the " Bentley Era." 20th June 1956

The Bentley Rally run by the Bentley Drivers Club and Shell to mark 50 years of Bentley Cars. Crowds lined The Parade, Leamington, to cheer them on. 13th June 1969

Mr. Tom Whale at the wheel of a Bentley Speed Six which he paid £; 100 for and it took him three years to restore to its full glory. 6th April 1960

This Bentley six-cylinder engine allows the Speed Six model to go above the 100 m. p. h
This Bentley six-cylinder engine allows the Speed Six model to go above the 100 m.p.h. mark. 6th April 1960

Four vintage Bentleys take to the ring in the parade at the Town and Country Festival at the Royal Agricultural showground at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire. 27th August 1972

A young girl and her dog try out a speedboat at the Whitley Bay Motor Show. 18 / 07 / 80
A young girl and her dog try out a speedboat at the Whitley Bay Motor Show. 18/07/80

Ford Foundry at Leamington held an open day. Skills which go into the making of the modern motor car were viewed by hundreds of people, who toured the foundry

Exterior view of British Leyland Strandard Triumph works entrance and gatehouse at Canley, Coventry. 15th February 1965

Jaguar Cars production Line of the XJ saloon track at Browns Lane factory, Coventry. 21st November 1975

Jaguar factory production line, Browns Lane, Coventry, during an open day. 14/08/1982

The production line at Jaguar Cars, Browns Lane, Coventry, factory. 7th September 1972

The Prince and Princess of Wales during a visit to Jaguars Browns Lane, Coventry factory. 15th February 1984

Jaguar Cars works and offices, Browns Lane, Coventry. 5th May 1984

This 1929 Bentley 4 1 / 2 litre in Britiish racing green is one of the vintage vehicles up
This 1929 Bentley 4 1/2 litre in Britiish racing green is one of the vintage vehicles up for auction at Ragley Hall, South Warwickshire. 28th August 1972

This 1928 Bentley parked on the forecourt of the Granada Cinema in Rugby attracted much attention. It was there to publicise next weeks film. The Fast lady which concerns a car of similar vintage

The man who started making Bentley cars 50 years ago came to Leamington in a borrowed Rolls Royce Silver Shadow. Mr. Walter Owen Bentley said he didn t even own a Bentley

The Bentley Rally run by the Bentley Drivers Club and Shell to mark 50 years of Bentley Cars. Crowds line The Parade, Leamington, to cheer them on. 13th June 1969

Coventry car workers took to the city centre to help the launch of the new Peugeot Talbot 309. And the message from the Ryton men was: " This is our car, our future

The E-type Jaguar car assembly line at the Browns Lane factory, Coventry came to a standstill due to the gas cuts. 20th January 1966

The E-type Jaguar car assembly line at the Browns Lane factory, Coventry came to a standstill due to the gas cuts. 20th January 1966

Sir William Lyons and Lady Lyons pictured in their garden at Wappenbury Hall. Sir William is the founder and chairman of Jaguar Cars. 26th July 1984

Henry Ford, American car manufacturer, with two of his cars, USA, 1924. Ford (1863-1947) with his first car and his 10 millionth, a Model T. Over 15 million Model Ts were built between 1908 and 1927

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The motor industry has a rich history in the Midlands, with Coventry and Birmingham being at its heart. More than 50 years of Triumph car production in Coventry came to a quiet end, marking the end of an era for the city's automotive legacy. Meanwhile, Jaguar expanded its operations with lengthened assembly tracks at their Browns Lane facility, showcasing their commitment to innovation and growth. Aerial views of the Morris Engines factory in Courthouse Green highlight the scale and importance of manufacturing in Coventry. Men diligently worked on the Rapier track at the Rootes Group factory in Ryton, exemplifying the skilled workforce that powered this thriving industry. Joseph Lucas' head office and works on Great King Street stood as a symbol of excellence and ingenuity. An advert from 1937 showcased Park Ward and Co's exquisite car coachwork, embodying luxury and craftsmanship. Inside Lucas factory, operators meticulously crafted headlamp reflectors in their illuminating department. A vintage 1921 Triumph Model "H" motorcycle from Coventry reminds us of how far this industry has come. Canley found new life as it transformed from a former car assembly plant into an all-important hub for future developments. British Leyland brought together service and technical specialists from various European countries to examine advancements collectively. Preserving history became paramount as demolition worker Les Gilbert prepared the iconic Morris rebus for its move to the Museum of Motor Industry. The Midland Alvis Day organized by Alvis Owners Club celebrated heritage while showcasing modern-day innovations at Alvis Ltd. The motor industry has shaped these cities' identities while leaving an indelible mark on global transportation. As we look back at these snapshots throughout time, we are reminded of both triumphs achieved and challenges overcome within this ever-evolving sector.