I was preparing a newsletter item for C.A.T.O. (Colorado Association of
Tiger & Alpine Owners) based on a mailing we recently received from The
Rootes Archive Centre Trust which is summarized here. Thought I'd pass it
along to the list as well.
Jeff Eakin
Pres. C.A.T.O.
PRESERVING THE PAST FOR THE FUTURE ... Is the mission of the ROOTES ARCHIVE
CENTRE TRUST an independent charity established by the Association of Rootes
Card Clubs (ARCC) They are located in Wescott, England.
Their stated mission is "To advance education in the subjects of automotive
and motor industry history and heritage by the establishment and maintenance
of a museum/archives centre for the preservation and study of archives or
other material of historical significance of, connected with or pertaining
to the Rootes Group and associated or successor companies."
The Archive Centre houses the entire Rootes Engineering Department library
of approximately 150,000 technical drawings and blueprints covering the
period from the late 1950's to the early 1980's. Plus microfiched drawings
that extend the record forward to the beginning of the Peugeot era and back
to the early 1920's. There are around 300,000 records in all providing a
unique record of engineering excellence of the whole era of British car
making and the growth, dominance and decline of the Rootes Group.
All of this priceless material is available for consultation by automotive
historians, academic researchers, anyone interested in the history and
development of their favorite model, or car clubs wanting to research
options for re-manufacturer or scarce parts.
They also have for sale Rootes-themed merchandise such as Rootes Christmas
cards, brochures, prints that are suitable for framing, mouse pads and
fridge magnets. For more info: ianhunter72@aol.com
The Centre also houses a reference library of Rootes workshop manuals, parts
lists, handbooks, production records and other publications, books related
to the Rootes Group and sets of the relevant motoring and classic car
magazines. Further materials are being added all the time as news of the
Archive Centre becomes more widely known.
The Centre is open most weekdays by appointment. For more information please
look at their web site. www.rootesarchivecentre.com or email them at
suttonbadhan@btinternet.com
Through their web site you can make a charitable contribution and become a
supporter of the Rootes Archive Centre Trust.
Contact: tim.sutton@rootesarchivecentre.com. Contributions can be made
through PalPal.
Also enclosed in this mailing was a flyer regarding an upcoming event this
summer called the Hillman Centenary. It will be the largest gathering of
Hillman Motor Cars in the World. The event will be held July 13th to 15th
also in England. The show will be for all members of ARCC (The Association
of Rootes Car Clubs) including Hillmans, Hillman Register, Hillman Owners
Club, Imp Owners Club, Avenger, Sunbeam Owners Clubs, Minx, Hunters Galore,
and the Humbler Register. For more info you can email:
andrew.mcadam@tesco.net
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