British Leyland car books - history

British Leyland - The Cars, 1968-1986

In 1968, British Leyland was formed by merging most of Britain's car manufacturers to create a strong, unified group capable of competing with major European companies. However, this goal was not achieved.

Many books have explored the politics and business aspects of British Leyland, but "British Leyland - The Cars, 1968-1986" focuses specifically on the vehicles produced by the company. It covers both inherited models and those developed under its management.

During its 18 years, British Leyland produced a wide range of vehicles, often leading to confusion about their origins. This book clarifies which models were made, by whom, and when.

The book stops at 1986, the year British Leyland ceased to exist. What remained of its car and light commercial vehicle division was renamed the Rover Group.

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British Leyland: From Triumph to Tragedy - Petrol, Politics and Power

Lance Cole provides a detailed yet accessible analysis of British Leyland, its cars, and the turbulent political landscape that shaped the company's history. This book is more than just a look at the vehicles - it examines British Leyland within the broader context of industry and politics.

While the company was plagued by mistakes, it also produced remarkable cars, brilliant designs, and impressive engineering. However, much of this legacy has been overshadowed by its failures.

Written by a classic car enthusiast with expertise in industrial design and automotive journalism, this book offers a fresh perspective on British Leyland's achievements and setbacks. Drawing on insider knowledge from his time in the motor industry, Cole provides an in-depth account of the company's most significant successes and biggest challenges.

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The Cars of BMC

Formed in 1952 through the merger of Morris Motors Ltd and the Austin Motor Company Ltd, the British Motor Corporation (BMC) rapidly expanded over the next 16 years, introducing numerous brands and models.

In this book, Graham Robson offers a complete history of BMC, including a detailed look at the early developments that led to the merger of Austin and Morris. This well-researched work provides a thorough directory of the brands and vehicles within BMC.

Robson covers the full history of the company and its formation, offering individual chapters for each brand, such as Austin, Wolseley, Metropolitan, and Vanden Plas.
Each chapter includes model histories, production dates, production numbers, technical specifications (including chassis layouts), engine and transmission details, model dimensions, and the fates of specific model lines.

This updated edition focuses on cars produced between 1945 and 1975, covering marques such as Austin, Austin-Healey, Innocenti, MG, Morris, Riley, Vanden Plas, Wolseley, British Motor Holdings, British Leyland, along with subsidiaries and international connections.

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Making Cars at Longbridge : 1906 to the Present Day

This richly illustrated book offers a detailed history of over 100 years of car manufacturing at the Longbridge factory near Birmingham. Founded by Herbert Austin in 1905, the Austin Motor Company later became part of the British Motor Corporation, British Leyland, Rover Group, and MG Rover. The factory produced iconic British models, including the Austin Seven, Mini, Austin Metro, MG TF, and Rover 75.

From its early days, Longbridge was a key employer and an important part of the local community. However, in April 2005, MG Rover entered administration, marking a significant change for the area and prompting its long-term regeneration. Despite these changes, the community remains proud of its manufacturing heritage and looks to the future with optimism.

This updated edition commemorates both the 110th anniversary of motor production at Longbridge and the 150th birthday of Herbert Austin. It includes a new colour section depicting the car manufacturing process, from design to showroom.

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British Leyland Motor Corporation 1968-2005 : The Story from Inside

British Leyland Motor Corporation was formed during the post-war manufacturing boom, uniting most British-owned car and commercial vehicle companies. As the world's sixth-largest car manufacturer, its leaders aimed to establish the UK as a global automotive powerhouse.

However, its eventual collapse became one of Britain's greatest industrial failures. Despite this, British Leyland left a lasting legacy. Iconic vehicles like the Mini and Range Rover remain popular, its influence shaped industrial relations, and several former brands continue to succeed in the competitive market.

This book, written by three former employees, provides a detailed, insider's account of the rise and fall of this legendary company.

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