AN Austin Montego marking its 25th ‘birthday’ led a convoy of 65 cars from the Cowley Plant.

The classic, white and nicknamed ‘Ears’, was brought to Cowley by owners Paul and Joyce Jefford, pictured right, to lead a host of other classic cars from the plant to Longbridge in Birmingham today.

The Pride of Longbridge remembers the collapse of MG Rover in April 2005 and the loss of 6,000 jobs at the factory, but also celebrates the heritage of Cowley and Longbridge, which were sister factories from 1952 until 2000.

With more than 300,000 miles on its clock, ‘Ears’ – named because of its large wing mirrors – led the cars on the one hour and 45-minute journey.
Organiser Tanya Field, who owns 10 classic Minis and several other Cowley-built cars, said the Easter Sunday drive to the show, which had about 3,000 vehicles on display, was A ‘lovely’ event.

The Headington Quarry resident added: “We took the scenic route which was lovely and there was a huge turnout. 

“There were a lot of former Longbridge workers who were there looking at the cars. A lot of workers had worked at both plants.”

Mrs Field said engines were built at Longbridge and transported to Cowley, and into the cars on the production line during the partnership between the plants. 

The Montego’s ‘birthday’ marks the day it was registered in 1992. Mr and Mrs Jefford drove it from Linolnshire for the event.