The 'Robinson' Car - Ketterings Only Manufacturer
Discussion
The_Burg said:
Pretty sure he said his name was Alan. Most of what he says fits with the facts / folklore. (SIC, for the pedanatics)
Yes dads name was Alan
sons were: Richard, Phillip and Andrew. Pete lived next door.
His other vintage car was an Overlander I think.
We used to race round thier back garden on phils scrambler.
Edited by F355SPIDER on Tuesday 13th June 07:53
F355SPIDER said:
The_Burg said:
Pretty sure he said his name was Alan. Most of what he says fits with the facts / folklore. (SIC, for the pedanatics)
Yes dads name was Alan
sons were: Richard, Phillip and Andrew. Pete lived next door.
His other vintage car was an Overlander I think.
We used to race round thier back garden on phils scrambler.
Edited by F355SPIDER on Tuesday 13th June 07:53
Alan he is a lovely old boy, who holds a wealth of engineering knowledge, as he still owns the engineering shop in Cross Street. A true petrol head of the 30's and 40's. Tall chap 6ft easily. He is always well presented in jacket and tie, who speaks with old school gentleman accent. Sometimes he has a few photos of those old cars in his pocket. Regular 6'oclock club member with my father.
So thats what The Burg got up too, drinking with my Dad.
justinbaker said:
F355SPIDER said:
The_Burg said:
Pretty sure he said his name was Alan. Most of what he says fits with the facts / folklore. (SIC, for the pedanatics)
Yes dads name was Alan
sons were: Richard, Phillip and Andrew. Pete lived next door.
His other vintage car was an Overlander I think.
We used to race round thier back garden on phils scrambler.
Edited by F355SPIDER on Tuesday 13th June 07:53
Alan he is a lovely old boy, who holds a wealth of engineering knowledge, as he still owns the engineering shop in Cross Street. A true petrol head of the 30's and 40's. Tall chap 6ft easily. He is always well presented in jacket and tie, who speaks with old school gentleman accent. Sometimes he has a few photos of those old cars in his pocket. Regular 6'oclock club member with my father.
So thats what The Burg got up too, drinking with my Dad.
A nice an interesting read down memory lane there guys! That car must be worth a mint!
Justin, you done anything with your cars alignment yet?
The Robinson Car on display at the Manor House Museum is the last of three 12 horsepower four-cylinder vehicles designed and assembled by an enterprising young engineer Charles Robinson at his garage in Montagu Street, Kettering in 1907.
It was built for Dr J P Roughton at a cost of £235, the casting and much of the machining of parts being carried out at the Robinson family's shoe machinery factory in the town's Victoria Street. The car boasted a top speed of 47mph and an unusual cooling system using exhaust gases instead of water.
There was also a purpose-built platform instead of a back seat, used as an emergency "operating table" when the good doctor was away from his surgery or hospital.
Subsequent owners down the years have included car connoisseurs Graham Stock and Alan Bannell. In 1982 it was feared that this unique part of Kettering's heritage would be sold to an American collector, but a joint campaign to keep it in the town was launched by Kettering Civic Society and the Wicksteed Park Trust. They raised the asking price of £9,500 with the help of a £4,000 grant from the South Kensington Science Museum. The fate of the other two cars made by Robinson - both four-seater models - is unknown.
For many years the Robinson Car was on display in the foyer of the council offices in Bowling Green Road until the historic Manor House was converted into a museum. I had the privilege of being the front seat passenger when the car made its final journey to its present home.
Timson's engineering firm had nothing to do with the Eobinson enterprise, but Charles Wicksteed's engineering works did design and manufacture bicycles as a sideline. I hope this is of interest.
It was built for Dr J P Roughton at a cost of £235, the casting and much of the machining of parts being carried out at the Robinson family's shoe machinery factory in the town's Victoria Street. The car boasted a top speed of 47mph and an unusual cooling system using exhaust gases instead of water.
There was also a purpose-built platform instead of a back seat, used as an emergency "operating table" when the good doctor was away from his surgery or hospital.
Subsequent owners down the years have included car connoisseurs Graham Stock and Alan Bannell. In 1982 it was feared that this unique part of Kettering's heritage would be sold to an American collector, but a joint campaign to keep it in the town was launched by Kettering Civic Society and the Wicksteed Park Trust. They raised the asking price of £9,500 with the help of a £4,000 grant from the South Kensington Science Museum. The fate of the other two cars made by Robinson - both four-seater models - is unknown.
For many years the Robinson Car was on display in the foyer of the council offices in Bowling Green Road until the historic Manor House was converted into a museum. I had the privilege of being the front seat passenger when the car made its final journey to its present home.
Timson's engineering firm had nothing to do with the Eobinson enterprise, but Charles Wicksteed's engineering works did design and manufacture bicycles as a sideline. I hope this is of interest.
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