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.
Harold Beach (1913-2010) JW recorded 1992 1h 42m 240Mb
Aston Martin chief engineer, responsible for chassis design DB4, 5 and 6. Started as draughtsman at Barkers coachbuilders, produced lightweight body for Eddie Hall’s racing Bentley, joined David Brown Tractors in 1950.
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.
Peter Kirwan Taylor (1930-2014) JW recorded 1982 59m 75Mb
Chartered accountant and later merchant banker who designed the 1967 Lotus Elite. Long standing non-executive director of Lotus, also involved with the first Elan. Only other production car design was 2CV-based Citroen Bijou.
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.
Anthony Wedgwood Benn (1925-2014) JW recorded 6/1994 29m 38Mb
Technology Minister 1966-1970, Secretary of State for Industry 1974-1975,
reflects on the decline of the British motor industry through the 1960s, state control of British Leyland in 1975 and the 1994 BMW takeover of Rover.
