Humber / Hillman / Rootes / Chrysler / Peugeot

I trained with Rootes in Coventry from 1949 to 1952 and then went off to do two years National Service. The Pullman used the pre-war cars roof pressing which more or less defined its shape and width with the body being built by Thrupp and Maberley in Cricklewood. Production was about twenty per week many of which went to British Embassies around the world for the ambassadors to use as well as about every Lord Mayor in the country plus heads of big companies. The Super Snipe had a new body in 1948 and changed, with the Pullman, from circular to rectangular side lights in about 1950. The series 3 Super Snipe then had detail changes, polished treads under the doors, in late 1950 and was then replaced by the MkIV in september 1952.

Hello Roger, & welcome to our forum Thank you for your post.

Great find Dean! I bet that was the last time that number of police cars were seen on the roads of the Midlands, never mind Coventry!

These Hillman Imp Panda cars would have served at all three divisions of Coventry City Police - 'A' Division at Little Park Street, 'B' Division at Holmsdale Road (later Stoney Stanton Rd), and 'C' Division at Fletchamstead. In addition, each Division would also have a 'Divisional Car' which had been Humber Hawks but by this time were I think Hillman Hunters (later Hillman Avengers). The Traffic Department would have been equipped with Sunbeam Alpines, Sunbeam Tigers, a single Triumph TR5, and some Triumph 650cc motorcycles. Each station also had a 'Divisional Van' - probably a Bedford CA at this time. I think that the officer making the radio call in the film is PC 210. This was the late Eric Crowe who retired as a Chief Inspector.

Hello "Not Local" & welcome to our forum. Thank you for your post.

Hi I have no connection with Coventry in particular, but my late father in law was employed by the various companies of the topic title. His name was SW Oliver (Bill). I have inherited a box of photographs from his times with the motor industry along with some details of his adventures on continental testing. I'll try to post some of these if anyone is interested. Regards from South wales David

Welcome to the Forum, camperman. I am certain that your photographs will be of interest and it's very generous of you to offer to share them with us

Yes please David - thanks and welcome!

Hi Here are the first couple of photographs from Bill Oliver's collection. As mentioned Bill was my late father-in-law and left me a whole box of photographs from his time in the motor industry. These two photographs are from collection listed as "Continental Testing Early 1950's". Most of the photographs in this collection are captioned "French Alpes and Spanish Dust Testing" - I have to assume these come under that heading. Second photograph shows Don Tarbun on right in hat. As time allows I will upload more photographs and I hope that they may be of interest to the Forum's members. Regards David

Hi David, Another pic of Don (I always knew him as Tarbun) alongside my dad & two other testers. Also whilst on the linked page, scroll down for a close-up of Don with his wife at a dinner doo.

This photograph from Bill Oliver's collection shows the Silver City Air Ferry used by Rootes for crossing the channel, landing in Cherbourg. Hard to believe this means of travel nowadays, with tunnel and various ferries available. Bill told me it was usually fairly peaceful and helped to keep cars identity secret.