The 'Robinson' Car - Ketterings Only Manufacturer

[The_Burg]

Met an old boy down the pub who was telling me about his car collection.
Among the many serious classics he mentioned the one car he wished he hadn't sold.
The Robinson.
Apparently they were made in Kettering and only one is left.

Anybody heard of it?

Google scored a big fat zero.

[The_Burg]

Thats the one Mrs Blue!
He said something about the exhaust coming out the back then round the front into engine bay to 'cool' the engine.
Said it was a bitch to keep cool.

Also said it was owned by Dr Dryland and he use to carry out operations on the 'flat bit' at the back.
Strangely enough he now owns the good doctors house.

Just goes to prove going to the pub is good for the brain!

Also owned a De Dion Bouton, (spelling maybe incorrect) and a Hispano Suiza. Didn't get to find out anymore cause he'd had his limit. Must try and bump into him again.

[The_Burg]

Fascinating chap. To be found in Dalkeith Kettering.
Was wearing jacket and tie in the awefull heat tonight.

Aquaintance of Justin Bakers dad.

And we should always respect and listen to the olds. We will be them one day.

(Feel pretty old already and still young), (ish).

[The_Burg]

Will have to wait till i see him again.
Or come join the 6 o'clock club!

[The_Burg]

f355spider said:

Yes it belonged to Dr. Bannell who lives on london road. I was very good friends with the family when we were kids (he has 3 sons our age who went to school with me).

The robinson was one of three cars in his collection - one of the others i recall was a De Dion Bouton. Lovely man his wife jenny is lovely and also had a classic merc i recall. The cars were all stored in the barns - we used to go and sit in them and pretend they were chitty chitty

He's still got the Merc though not been driven for around 4 years apparently.
The De Dion Bouton is alive and well and may do the London Brighton run this year.

[The_Burg]

The_Burg said:

Will have to wait till i see him again.
Or come join the 6 o'clock club!

He reckoned Dr Dryland who the surgery in Kettering was named after.

Fascinating thread, glad i went for a beer!

Any more info out there!

If i meet him again must show him the site. I'm guessing would make the old boy happy to see his cars on here?

[The_Burg]

Pretty sure he said his name was Alan. Most of what he says fits with the facts / folklore. (SIC, for the pedanatics)