British Pathe

Reel 3

More parts of the "rear subframe" are joined together by men with hydraulic tools. Parts of the suspension are fixed in. C/U of the rubber cone - a vital part of the suspension system. The finished body is lower from the roof onto the subframe. The wheels are fixed by hand on to the...

Reel 3

More parts of the "rear subframe" are joined together by men with hydraulic tools. Parts of the suspension are fixed in. C/U of the rubber cone - a vital part of the suspension system. The finished body is lower from the roof onto the subframe. The wheels are fixed by hand on to the axles and then the nuts are tightened with a hydraulic tightener. Two men work inside the car. The car moves along the production line. At the end of the line a woman climbs into the the car and drives it away.

The car is driven into a testing bay. The car is tested on a set of rollers. C/U driver changing gears in the car. C/U wheel on the roller. A tester opens the bonnet and we see the engine. He checks various parts of the engine. The bonnet is closed and the car is driven off. The wheels are aligned and the headlights are focused.

The cars drive out of the factory one after another. A line of cars (Austin Sevens (7) this is an early version of the Mini). Members of the motoring press gathered together to see the cars. Man wearing press pass pins on a small rosette. Three men talk. C/U of engine. Press men and women stand around. Journalists from around Europe are there to inspect the car. The journalists begin to get into the cars and drive them. A man with a stopwatch signals when the drivers should start their test drive. C/U back of the car as it drives away. The name on the back of the car reads "Austin 850". The cars are driven away. Various shots of the cars being driven on the test track. Various newspaper headlines praising the "Austin Baby" inter cut with shots of the cars on the test track.

The family from the start of the film return. The boy and girl are piling up things for a trip by the roadside. Their father drives up in a new Austin Seven (7). He gets out. They start to load up their luggage. The radio and Mum's hat box go on the back shelf. The suitcases go in the boot. A picnic basket and a tennis racket go into the side panels. Deck chairs go under the seats. More pockets are filled up and then the family get into their car. They drive away. C/U Dad driving. Flashback to the family standing at the bus stop as the bus drives past. C/U Dad. C/U of various family members in car.

Driving through "jam packed London in complete ease" filmed from inside the car. C/U speed-o-meter. More shots of London from inside the car. C/U of feet on car's pedals. The car drives over Westminster bridge. Big Ben is visible in the background. The car is seen driving through Canterbury. Mom looks at the map and gives Dad the directions as he drives. The car speeds past. A sign at the roadside says "A20 Dover 5m". A man in a white coat and hat waves the car onto the ferry to Boulogne. The family passports are checked and they drive onto the boat. The ferry sails out of Dover harbour. The ferry sounds its horn.

A model of the car stands next to Silver Cup (the Dewar Trophy) as the credits roll. Produced by Associated British Pathe for the Nuffield Organisation.

Note: Very similar in many respects to "Wizardry on Wheels". Paperwork contains a copy of the commentary script. The Austin Seven was their version of the Morris Mini. Colour is faded in this print.