>From another list, but of interest.......
> The UK lunchtime news today informed the closure of Massey Ferguson
> tractor manufacturing in the UK. While this is probably of little
> consequence to most Triumph owners, it is timely to remember the
> Coventry plant at Banner Lane where Fergusons have been made since
> September 1946, is very definitely part of Standard Triumph's
> industrial heritage. Built originally as a shadow factory for the
> construction of aircraft and aircraft engines for WW2, there is no
> doubt that Banner Lane played a major part in Standard Triumph's post
> war success. While some aspects of car production continued after
> hostilities ceased, the 'little grey Fergie' (with the wet liner four
> pot as per Vanguard and TR up to 4A) came out of this plant - to the
> tune of some 513,000 units in total in just over a ten year period.
> Had it not been for the undoubted financial success of the tractor, it
> could be argued with some conviction that the development of Standard
> and Triumph cars might have been a little more difficult through lack
> of finance?
> There is no statement (AFAIK) as to when production will actually
> cease - or what will happen to the site. I just hope that some of it
> can be preserved - as the Standard Triumph site at Canley and
> Fletchampstead wasn't, apart from the old social club. The buildings
> themselves, especially the office blocks along the frontage are superb
> examples of the industrial architecture of the late 1930's and not so
> long ago were thoroughly cleaned which exercise finally removed the
> last vestiges of war-time camouflage clinging tenaciously to the
> brickwork. I think I'd better get up there PDQ with my camera before
> some property developer turns the whole lot into yet another retail
> park!
>
> Jonmac
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