VOICES FROM THE PAST

The Michael Sedgwick Memorial Trust has established a library of audio interviews recording the life and times of personnel from the motoring world. These interviews are in MP3 format, usable on most modern electronic devices and are available, free-of-charge, to download on application to msedgwickmt@gmail.com. 

In addition to the interviews of ‘back room boys’ by broadcaster David Moss (DM) commissioned by Trust 25 years ago, we have been fortunate to secure a series of interviews from the 1980s and 1990s by the distinguished author Jonathan Wood (JW). These were conducted as part of research for Jonathan’s many books and are not broadcast quality – transferred from tape cassettes, they are presented unedited, coughs, interjections and tea breaks included – but they provide rare first-person insights from important motoring figures of the mid-20th century.

We ask only that authors and historians quoting or making use of these interviews acknowledge the Michael Sedgwick Memorial Trust as their source.

The first 10 interviews available are:

Sir Terence Beckett (1923-2013) JW recorded 1989 1 h 07 m 154Mb

Ford of Britain CEO and chairman 1974-1980. Early career, then responsible for introducing the discipline of product planning. The story of the Cortina, Ford’s enduring best-seller.

John Cooper (1923-2000) JW recorded 6/1989 1h 08m 83Mb

Famous race car constructor on the development of the Mini Cooper and his relationship with Sir Alec Issigonis. Includes further BMC Cooper projects that were not pursued after Leyland merger.

Ted Cutting (1926-2012) JW recorded 1992 Ih 17m + 1h 6m 176Mb

Chief racing engineer Aston Martin 1955-1963. Worked on Aston DB3, DB3S, DBR1 and DBR4. Construction and development of Le Mans-winning DBR1 described in detail.

Peter Foden (1930-2012) JW recorded 2/1995 40m 92Mb

Managing director of ERF 1960-1996. Last of the Cheshire family to run the company outlines its history, the split from Foden, and the challenges of running a British truck maker in the 1990s.

Roger Menadue (1912-2003) DM recorded 2000 2 h 00m 276Mb

Mechanic and right hand man to Donald Healey. In charge of prototype build, including Austin Healey and competition cars (Nash-Healey third place at Le Mans 1952).

Alex Moulton (1923-2024) DM recorded 2/2000 1h 57m 270Mb

Collaborator with Alec Issigonis, devising rubber suspension for the Mini, and later Hydrolastic and Hydragas for range of BMC/Leyland cars. Inventor and manufacturer of the Moulton bicycle.

Theo Sherwen (1910 – ?) DM recorded 12/2001 2 h Om 278Mb

Engineer and draughtsman in the small team that built the Squire sports car, 1935-6. Apprenticed to Riley, transmissions specialist, later work on aircraft, tractors and agricultural machinery.

Ken Smith (1923-2014) DM recorded 3/1999 1h 58m+1h 12m 212Mb

Citroen UK – key figure in UK production at Slough. Deeply involved with development of the Citroen DS, expert in hydropneumatic suspension, adviser on right-hand drive cars after Slough production ceased.

Lord Stokes (1914-2008) JW recorded 7/1987 44m 102Mb

Chief executive British Leyland 1968-1979. Career at Leyland Trucks, Standard-Triumph takeover, initiation and development of BLMC. Opportunities and problems,strikes, personalities and the Ryder Report.

John Thornley (1909-1994) JW recorded 3/1982 1h 13m 167Mb

Director and general manager of the MG Car Company through the 1950s and 1960s, retired in 1969. Development of the MGA and the MGB – the birth of a classic.