British Automobiles

Thesis: British automobiles are among the finest and most reliable cars made in the world.

I. Jaguar

A. Creation of the company.

B. Early models.

C. Future of the company.

II. Aston Martin

A. Founders.

B. People and friends.

C. Future of the company.

III. Rolls Royce

A. Foundation of the company.

B. Racing at Le Mans.

C. Present .

IV. Morris Minor

A. Introduction of the Minor.

B. Features of the car.

C. Decline of the Minor's sales.

British automobiles have been among the most reliable and safest cars ever made in the world. Some examples of models are Jaguar, Aston Martin, Rolls Royce, and Morris Minor.

The story of Jaguar is a story of rags to riches. To trace the birth of this company we must go back to the northern seaside town of Blackpool. Here a young motorcycle enthusiast by the name of Bill Lyons, who was not even yet twenty one years old, met William Walmsley, who was building a rather stylish sidecar for reconditioned motorcycles. Young Lyons immediately displayed the two traits that would be his greatest qualities for the next fifty or so years. He felt there was great potential if the activity could be organized potential if the activity could be organized along business lines and production increased to make the operation viable (Jaguar p.1).

During WWII, Lyons and Heynes with Walter Hassan and Claude Bailey, planned a new engine that would establish the company as a world force. To publicize it they decided to build a limited run of sports cars, and Lyons had just a couple of months to design a body before the 1948 London Motor Show. The car - was the XK 120 - it stole the show, and was destined to become one of the great sports cars. Its popularity was based on it's top speed, and to convince everyone a standard XK 120 was clocked at 126mp. It was the fasted production car in the world (Jaguar p.2). In 1950 the MKVII saloon was released. It was designed with the US market in mind, and some $30 million worth of orders were taken within months of its introduction (Jaguar p.3).

In 1961, Jaguar took a major step in sports car design with the introduction of the E-type which was announce in March at the Geneva Motor Show. It was a sensation. The E-type, or XKE as it was also known in the USA, was very fast, had vivid acceleration, great flexibility and comfort, and stunning good looks. In 1968 the E-type underwent changes for US Federal regulations. In 1971 the power and performance of this trend-setting sport car was further enhanced with the introduction of the Jaguar V-12 engine designed by Walter Hassan. It was known for being very smooth, and made the E-type a sophisticated touring machine. The XJ6 saloon arrived in 1968, with strong Jaguar identity in its shape - another one of Lyons masterpiece - and setting new standards of ride and sophistication (Jaguar p.6).

In 1972 the engine for which it had been conceived, the much acclaimed V-12 unit, was fitted. The XJ12 was claimed to be the fastest production four-seater in the world. In the same year Sir William Lyons retired handing Jaguar over to Lofty England. Lyons was a superb businessman and one of the best stylists of his era. He kept a close interest in the company until his death in 1985. In 1973 Jaguar released a new version of the XJ saloon - the XJ coupe. The similar XJS followed in 1975, it was a grand tourer and had an impressive specification and 150 mph capability (Jaguar p.6).

In 1988 JaguarSport was formed to produce and market sporting versions of Jaguar saloons and high-performance sports cars. In 1989 the company became a subsidiary of Ford (Jaguar p.7)

Aston Martin was founded in 1914 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford in a small West London workshop, Aston Martin has grown over eighty years to become one of the world renowned manufacturers of exclusive luxury sport cars (Aston Martin p.1). Martin and Bamford shared a common belief that cars should be built to the highest standards, have distinctive character, and most of all be exhilarating to drive and own(Aston Martin p2.). It is doubtful that any car maker has ever drawn as much strength from its people and friends than Aston Martin has. Owners and employees are enthusiast to the core they are like a family that stretches around the world. There are many father son teams employed by Aston Martin. Owners sons have grown up to become owners themselves. The company is consider a family in which you are welcome once you become an owner (Aston Martin p4.) Every Aston Martin is hand built. Customer are encouraged to take time in selecting colors and textures in the same way and with the same attention to detail as the craftsmen who build the car (Aston Martin p6).

Aston Martin has a long tradition of building unique Project cars. Many were developed for racing, others to see customers reaction to new styles and features. The company regards this as an essential element in the design and development process and indeed much of the technology used in these cars has ultimately found its way into production (Aston Martin p.10). With financial and technological security and with a strong customer focus, Aston Martin face the next millennium with confidence (Aston Martin p.1).

Rolls Royce ever since first founded in 1906, has striven for perfection and has developed close ties with its customers (Rolls Royce p.1). The Bentley legend stems from the marque's successes at Le Mans in the 1920's, establishing a reputation for performance, reliability, rugedness, and daring. (Rolls Royce p.3).

Bentley remains unique in its capability to offer an unlimited specifying experience for its owners. With the help of the company's design team and the craftsmen of Mulliner, customer can design a bespoke interior. (Rolls Royce p.4). With four-year $40 million investment in facilities at Crewe alone, the new manufacturing system has adopted the appropriate levels of modern lean-manufacture philosophy and latest technologies. The main objective of the manufacturing strategy was to increase manufacturing and build flexibility (Rolls Royce p.8). The Bentley Arnage is built within a totally new manufacturing technology is seamlessly integrated with traditional craftsmanship (Rolls Royce p.9).

The Minor was introduced at London's first post-war motor show at Earls court in October 1948, after a gestation period of more than five years. Designed by the legendary Alec Issigonis the Minor offered a range of technical innovations at a budget price. Advertising for the new Minor made much of its big car features. The 1949 sales brochure proudly trumpheted that the new Morris was "the world's supreme small car." Some of the Minor's so called 'big car features seemed rather quaint for example, safety doors, hinged at the front, with private lock t driver's door and safety catch to passengers door (Booth, Andrew p.1). Sales of the Morris Minor declined steadily during the late 1960's and through the formation of the British Leyland.

British cars have been among the best since the early 1900s. They will probably continue to be some of the most reliable cars for a long time.

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