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Assembly ……
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Assembly ……
In 1934 Frazer Nash (AFN) became the sole importer of BMW into U.K.; a nice chain drive car from that pre-war era is racing at the Goodwood Revival. Photos I took this weekend:
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At the end of the Second World there was Military Government by the Allies with Munich being on a sector under US control.
On 1 October 1945 a Lt Col from the US Army ordered the Mayor of City of Munich to dismantle the BMW works and ship it all to the USA. The letter with that order exists:
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However one of the Aldington brothers who owned Fraser Nash (AFN Ltd) helped prevent this. He had flown fto Germany and met with the director General BMW who was in prison (along with heads of many industrial firms) whilst their role in war was being investigated. “Aldy” endorsed a petition by directors of BMW to keep production in Germany.
While the role of a British army Captain is very well known in saving VW after WWII, the fact BMW probably owe their existence today to the intervention of British Officer Lt Col Aldington, much less so. AFN Ltd went on to be sole concessionaire for Porsche in U.K. in the fifties and evolved to found Porsche Cars Great Britain with Ferry Porsche Chairman of the Board.
The very timely intervention by “Aldy” has not been recognised enough in world automotive history. The directors of BMW were fighting to keep the plant in Germany. If the American order to dismantle and ship the entire BMW plant to USA had been carried out unchallenged would BMW even exist?
“Aldys” endorsement on the petition to keep the BMW plant (possibly self serving in view of the AFN prewar BMW sole GB concession):
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That “Aldy” was same rank as the US Officer who issued the order to the Munich Mayor no doubt helped redress the power balance.
The US officer’s order never came to fruition. Something that BMW owners and enthusiasts should all be thankful for. They couldn’t have forseen from such a perilous position on 1945 BMW would recover and now own RR Motor Cars and the iconic Mini Brand.
Steve
Last edited by 911MRP; 09-19-2021 at 06:47 AM.
Now that backstory is very interesting!!!!!! Thanks Steve!
Kiwi
1972 911S
1967 912
1959 356A Conv D
Early S Registry # 306
That ‘65 is poetry in motion. Not a lot of Porsche’s there - other than the 356 I spotted racing and the RS60 that Derek Bell drove.
Is that typically the case at Goodwood Revival? Or did I miss them???? The Minis, the Jags & the Fraser Nashs racing were outstanding!!!!!!Such skill!
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Kiwi
1972 911S
1967 912
1959 356A Conv D
Early S Registry # 306
Since the circuit closed in ‘66 the “Revival” of the circuit nominally takes that as a cutoff which has a significant bearing on what marques/cars they invite to the event. For example the 904 is an interesting car but the few were at just at back of the lineup of a feature race this weekend. I’ve seen extraordinary lineups possibly the most valuable grid ever one year. https://www.goodwood.com/grr/event-c...-in-the-world/
Wouldn’t say Porsche marque have even been front and centre of the Revival event since it started ‘98 possibly due to this historically chosen cutoff wrt Porsche’s racing impact up to 66 — although usually do have a presence and so a few interesting Porsche things. It’s far from a Porsche centric event. It is about racing up to about 66. Also the dress theme and the way the circuit and all that’s presented attempt to give that impression. Porsche usually display a “standing vintage workshop recreation” each year; that corporate presence felt a bit thin and lacking this year with a 65 RHD and a museum 356 cabriolet. Few factory people over from Stuttgart possibly due to covid.
Steve
Last edited by 911MRP; 09-19-2021 at 01:38 PM.
I REALLY recommend this small book....
Chuck Miller
Creative Advisor/Message Board Moderator - Early 911S Registry #109
R Gruppe #88
TYP901 #62
'73S cpe #1099 - Matched # 2.7/9.5 RS spec rebuild
'67 Malibu 327 spt cpe - Period 350 Rebuild
’98 Chevy S-10 – Utility
’15 GTI – Commuter
Thanks for that explanation, Steve - makes sense. Although I expected perhaps a 356 4-cam, 550 or 904 somewhere in the mix.
I guess Rennsport Reunion is the ideal venue for that.
I do love the fact that both the drivers and the spectators embrace the period dress!
We have an annual event called Beach Hop in Whangamata, NZ. A beachside township. It’s an American car & hotrod event, with a gathering of Harleys thrown in for good measure! And the township transforms into a 50’s Rock n Roll spot for 3 days! Very cool. But NOTHING like this level of audience participation!
Kiwi
1972 911S
1967 912
1959 356A Conv D
Early S Registry # 306
Yep the way folks embrace the period thing is incredible many tens of thousands in period dress some going to extraordinary efforts
if Porsche is the focus there are dedicated events
Having said that FoS often does well on
Porsche front for a broad Marque appeal event. Especially if it is featured Marque. One year there were about a dozen 917 possibly 8-10 just in single row:
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I prefer the Revival however
S