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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