VOICES FROM THE PAST

Twenty-five years ago the MSMT commissioned a series of audio interviews with ‘backroom boys’ of the motor business to record their life and times for future authors and historians. We have now transferred four of these interviews to MP3 format, so that they are usable on most modern electronic devices.

The four interviews detailed below, conducted by broadcaster David Moss, are available free-of-charge as file attachments on application to: msedgwickmt@gmail.com

Copyright remains with the MSMT and we ask that where quoted, an acknowledgement of the source is made. The MSMT has since acquired a further series of audio recordings from Jonathan Wood, and start making these available shortly. A new series of interviews is also being commissioned.

Photo: Healey 3-Litre Sports Convertible, powered by Alvis: Aston Hill Centenary – Courtesy R. Cartwright

Roger Menadue (1912-2003) recorded 2000, 2h 0m, 276Mb

Mechanic and right-hand man to Donald Healey, Menadue was in charge of prototype build, including Austin-Healey and competition cars (among them the third-placed Nash-Healey at Le Mans in 1952).

Photo: Sir Alex Moulton on one of his eponymous bikes

Alex Moulton (1923-2024) recorded 2000, 1h 57m, 270Mb

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

Photo: The third Squire 1.5litre chassis X102, body by Vanden Plas, built May 1935 for the Hon. Sherman Stonor  – Collection R. Cartwright

Theo Sherwen (1910-?) recorded 2001, 2h 0m, 278Mb

Engineer and draughtsman in the small team that built the Squire sports car, 1935-36. Apprenticed to Riley, transmissions specialist, later work on aircraft, tractors and agricultural machinery.

Photo: Citroen Traction Avant publicity shot – Giles Chapman Library

Ken Smith (1923-2014) recorded 1999, 1h 58m and 1h 12m, 212Mb

The key figure in Citroën’s UK production at Slough. Deeply involved with development of the Citroën DS, expert in hydropneumatic suspension, adviser on right-hand-drive cars after Slough production ceased in 1965.