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Running the Austin 1300 – Midland Bank
Continuing with our bank theme here’s a post for a bank that’s no longer on the High Street but was once one of the big names in the UK...
...the bank was founded as the Birmingham and Midland Bank in 1836; it expanded in the Midlands absorbing many local banks and merged with the Central Bank of London Ltd., in 1891, becoming the London City and Midland Bank.
After a period of nationwide expansion, including the acquisition of many smaller banks, the name Midland Bank Ltd was adopted in 1923, and by 1934, it was the largest deposit bank in the world!
Naturally, many ADO16 owners turned to the Midland Bank for help running their car – those were the days when individuals would often develop a professional relationship with their local bank manager, thinking nothing about wearing a tartan jacket with almost matching turn-up trousers – at least the polo necked jumper added some class!
As an aside, in 1979 when David Cox penned his Formula 1 concept car, powered by a turbine engine and fitted with twelve wheels, which 10 of them would have a steering function he envisaged the Midland Bank being a prime sponsor!
In 1992, Midland Bank was taken over by HSBC Holdings plc and by 1999 the Midland Bank name had been phased out in favour of HSBC Bank. In June 2015, HSBC announced that it would be rebranding its branches in the United Kingdom with the chairman even describing the Midland brand as "odds on favourite" for a return to the high street but come September 2015, it was announced that the Midland Bank name would not be revived, and the branch network in the UK would be branded HSBC UK.
With thanks to Unraced F1.
We’re the global umbrella for the ADO16, the BMC/British Leyland 1100/1300 – in well over 60 countries and with a Facebook Group approaching 3,000 members! You can join us too; the only ADO16 club with a FREE membership level: www.ado16.info/membership-join
Worryingly I had a similar pair of trousers as a teenager...😳
This week’s cover image – as much as this year we celebrate 60-years since the launch of the Morris 1100 we ought not forget that it was the Austin badge which ended up doing more to promote the ADO16; we show a 1964, Austin 1100 finished in the special order colour of Black.
Looks great 👍
This week’s cover image – as much as this year we celebrate 60-years since the launch of the Morris 1100 we ought not forget that it was the Austin badge which ended up doing more to promote the ADO16; we show a 1964, Austin 1100 finished in the special order colour of Black.
Reginald Molehusband and his Austin 1100
Perhaps the most famous UK Public Information Film featured the fictional character of Reginald Molehusband attempting to parallel park his Austin 1100...
...the film was commissioned by the Central Office of Information and shown on British TV during the 1960’s. The role of Reginald Molehusband was played by Ian Gardiner but sadly no copy of the film is known to still exist.
Reginald Molehusband was depicted as the country's worst driver but the film concluded when he was finally able to park his Austin 1100 and so demonstrate the technique for parallel parking!
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Reginald Molehusband entered common parlance in the UK and the phrases such as, "Well done, Reggie" were often heard in mock congratulation to someone successfully completing a modest task.
With the original film being lost, a new version was made by the BBC in 2006, again starring Ian Gardiner as Reginald Molehusband – a new voiceover was recorded, despite a recording of the original narration actually existing.
We’re the global umbrella for the ADO16, the BMC/British Leyland 1100/1300 – in well over 60 countries and with a Facebook Group approaching 3,000 members! You can join us too; the only ADO16 club with a FREE membership level: www.ado16.info/membership-join
I remember the original, it used to be on TV all the time, when I learned to drive I knew exactly what to do, shame they don't still use public information films today.
shame there is a Peugeot 406 in the video
Absolutely brilliant!
I still call people that can't park Reginald Molehusband..🤣
Buying the Morris 1100 – Lombank
Of course, if you didn’t want to go with yesterday’s post then one alternative was Lombank to finance tyhe purchase of your new Morris 1100...
...New Credit Corporation Ltd was incorporated in Bournemouth in 1946 as successor to Acceptance Credit Corporation, which had been incorporated in 1938 but never traded. In 1947, the company name changed to Lombard Banking Ltd.
In 1951, Lombard acquired a hire purchase company called London & Provincial Motor & Tractor Co Ltd (est. 1946), changing its name to Lombank Ltd in 1953 – from 1957, Lombard Banking operated solely as a bank and all the company’s hire purchase and credit finance activities were hived off to the Lombank subsidiary who specialised in credit finance and leasing facilities for commerce, the motor trade, industry and agriculture.
Lombank heavily advertised within the motor industry and were a major sponsor of motor racing including the RAC Rally.
In 1970, Lombard Banking and its subsidiaries were taken over by the newly-formed National Westminster Bank.
With thanks to the NatWest Group.
We’re the global umbrella for the ADO16, the BMC/British Leyland 1100/1300 – in well over 60 countries and with a Facebook Group approaching 3,000 members! You can join us too; the only ADO16 club with a FREE membership level: www.ado16.info/membership-join
They were Lombard North Central in my HP days
Looks great 👍
