British Leyland -They were crap and they knew they were.

[wildcat45]

A training film for BL staff in the late 1970s.

Its long, but worth a watch. Disturbing that even then they knew they were st -and how to fix it.

Just imagine if this film had been aired on Nationwide or Panorama back then.

Spot some famous faces too.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xRyN4XhJ_ms

[TheInternet]

Link for desktop users:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRyN4XhJ_ms

[Motorrad]

I like the 'no smoking' signs while the Proud British Leyland employee holds his fag in his mouth in the motor........

Unbelievable to think BL made this movie....it looks like a 'don't buy our cars' promo.......


edit to add: fair enough I have my own specs just like reg.......

Edited by Motorrad on Saturday 1st June 20:40

[GTIR]

I used to work with an ex BL employee.
Not sure where he was from but he had a funny northern accent so I'm assuming it was a stinky whippet filled factory oop north in the 70's.

He said that on one occasion they ran out of tea in the canteen and as the management refused to restock (Turns out the employees were nicking it.) they went on strike due to "Unreasonable management requests" or something. :hene:

Most BL cars have been restored or rusted away now anyway.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

That's an very interesting watch.

They may have known what was wrong and how to fix it, but unfortunately the place was staffed by a proportion of people who actively wanted to bring the firm down, as part of the revolution.

I recall in the 80s helping out a couple of mates on successive weekends do some work on their cars. One had an XJS, the other a Porsche 928.

Not dissimilar cars on the face of it, luxury grand tourers, but under the skin, just chalk and cheese. Every single component on the Porsche just oozed quality. The Jag was just 10000 nuts, bolts and rivets cobbled together. Utterly horrid. Cheap and nasty.

[delays]

That's actually quite a good video demonstrating the importance of communication and a cohesive quality system with buy-in from all employees within an organisational structure.

Still relevant today, I imagine.

[Pablo68]

...And thats why modern manufacturing plants are almost 100% automated.. A Robot will happily repeat the same funcion perfectly over and over again with out distractions.

Still, had to admire the 1970's workplace sexism

[Motorrad]

delays said:

That's actually quite a good video demonstrating the importance of communication and a cohesive quality system with buy-in from all employees within an organisational structure.

Still relevant today, I imagine.

Agreed problem is BL didn't do that.

[PH lurker]

Is this acted by actors, not BL workers? If so could that be 'Denzil' from Only Fools and Horses part way through?

[cptsideways]

No doubt that was a mild version of the real attitude too

[KTF]

unions

[dxg]

delays said:

That's actually quite a good video demonstrating the importance of communication and a cohesive quality system with buy-in from all employees within an organisational structure.

Still relevant today, I imagine.

I was just thing that. Reminds me of construction... today.

[wildcat45]

TheInternet said:

Link for desktop users:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRyN4XhJ_ms

Cheers, didn't realise it was different when postin on an Ipad.

[The_Burg]

Shame, BL actually produced some good cars.
In fact all except the Marina.

Even the Allegro was actually a really good car, (not many may agree(, great ride quality, practical and cheap. The 1750 O series were even moderately quick. The Princess was a great cruiser and the Ambassador fixed the major issues except they lost 2.2 straight 6.

[900T-R]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

I recall in the 80s helping out a couple of mates on successive weekends do some work on their cars. One had an XJS, the other a Porsche 928.

Not dissimilar cars on the face of it, luxury grand tourers, but under the skin, just chalk and cheese. Every single component on the Porsche just oozed quality. The Jag was just 10000 nuts, bolts and rivets cobbled together. Utterly horrid. Cheap and nasty.

Hmmm, let's say I wouldn't want to try and run either without the benefit of a 'comfortable' bank balance nowadays. As much as a good few Brits want to build shrines for their worship of German engineering, it's often needlessly complicated for completing its designed task and ^)(*&^%$ expensive when it goes wrong.

[KTF]

The_Burg said:

Shame, BL actually produced some good cars.

Can I have the rose tinted spectacles when you are finished with them?

[Motorrad]

PH lurker said:

Is this acted by actors, not BL workers? If so could that be 'Denzil' from Only Fools and Horses part way through?

erm most of them perhaps-----I presume it was a warning for BL's poor fools.........

bloke off Are you being served, bloke off Grange Hill etc etc. I wasn't naming them but obviously this was BLs attempt at making an improvement video.......

Edited by Motorrad on Saturday 1st June 21:23

[dudleybloke]

i enjoyed that.
quite a few famous faces in it too.

[inman999]

Very interesting, thanks for posting.

The writing was quite literally on the wall.

[The_Burg]

KTF said:

The_Burg said:

Shame, BL actually produced some good cars.

Can I have the rose tinted spectacles when you are finished with them?

Compare the competition.
There wasn't really any. Mini epic car, Maxi was literally a bigger Mini. Princess smooth riding comfortable and roomy, only competition was the Reanault 20. 11/1300 great fun to drive small car. TR6 / 7 cheap sporty cars. Triumph Dolomite, the 3 series of the day.
MGB, MX5 of the day, actually not that much difference performance wise. 2 series, 4 series and MGF were much better than anything else available at the time as was the 600 / 800 and later Rover 75.

Some great motor heritage. All dead now.

RIP GB.