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In a modern commercial world corporate mergers, spin-offs, takeovers, joint-ventures and other fashionable bows and nods are commonplace for large corporations. Even so, the history of british automobile industry is almost unparalled in it's variety and spaghetti of makes and brands. The aim of this article is to squeeze out the essential what a WRC fan needs to know.
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Since automobile was invented in late 19th century, companies of varying size and shape sprang up all around the industrialized world and England was no exception. Most of these small companies withered away or, like in our case, merged in order to survive. Smaller mergers became larger ones and finally in 1952, Morris and Austin joined together to form British Motor Corporation (BMC), biggest manufacturer of cars in UK.
Seven years later in 1959 BMC rolled out first Mini which almost instantly became company's best selling car. Despite this success, BMC and most other british manufacturers made losses and in 1967 came the next change, government controlled merger of BMC, Rover, Leyland and some other smaller companies. This new entity was called British Leyland (BL).
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BMC had been active in rallying with Mini and BL continued this tradition with their Triumph TR7's and TR8's even though international success avoided these cars. Company scored their first two championship points in 1976 thanks to ninth place in RAC Rally by Brian Culceth.
After many mergers, British Leyland was a huge company with assets all around the country. It operated on a loss, had difficulties with the trade unions and competition from japanese companies was fierce. Inevitably, company was nationalised and soon plants were being closed one after another and even brands were divested.
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In 1982 name changed again, this time to Austin Rover Group (ARG). Four years later, after Morris brand had ended, Land Rover and Jaguar floated off, Alvis and Leyland Trucks been sold name changed again to Rover Group. Following year Austin badge disappeared too. Finally in 1988 Rover Group was privatized.
Against this background it is interesting that company deep in such a problems would commit itself to a World Rally Championship programme. And yet, that was exactly what John Davenport succeeded in with, launching assault with MG Metro 6R4. Sadly, car failed to perform and when Group B was killed off, whole project collapsed.
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In 1988 privatization Rover Group had been sold to British Aerospace who then sold it to BMW six years later. Another six years passed before BMW decided it had had enough, sold Land Rover to Ford, retained Mini and sold remaining parts to a group of investors for a nominal price of ten pounds sterling. Those remnants became known as MG Rover Group.
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Past or current brands
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Austin
Austin-Healey
Daimler (not the german one)
Jaguar
Land Rover
Leyland
MG
Mini
Morris
Rover
Triumph
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