Fast Marina Magazine

Hi Guys
I'm sure one of you will know this (Bryan!) I've been asked if I can find out the export numbers, production numbers for BL cars made/exported to NZ and OZ during the 1970's
Its for a book a friend is writing about the Export or die policy of the 70's. Any good stories would also be appreciated.
all the best
Ben

There's some info at AROnline, on what was assembled where, but not how many.

Dig up the book 'Assembly: NZ Car Production 1921-1998' (Reed Books 2002) by Mark Webster, available from Auckland libraries. Not sure if it has production numbers.

Thanks Bryan
I'm going to have to do a bit of research I think The first book was well recieved so he's doing another one on export only, should be a good read.
all the best
Ben

charlie safari wrote:Thanks Bryan
I'm going to have to do a bit of research I think The first book was well recieved so he's doing another one on export only, should be a good read.
all the best
Ben

AROnline said Between 1971 and 31 March 1976 2,400 Rovers had been exported at a total value of NZ$8million.

However, this is disputed by the Australian Rover club
Official production figures from the New Zealand Motor Corporation and provided by John Miller, author & publisher of the book "From Cotton to Cars" reveal that 1,345 CKD Rover 3500 P6B Automatics were assembled for the New Zealand market between May 1971 and April 1975. Concurrently, 1,806* CKD Rover 3500 P6B Automatics were assembled for the Australian market between June 1972 and October 1976 and exported under the New Zealand Australia Free Trade Agreement.
Interesting reading.

I have a van & a wagon from UK if that helps.

and there is a suntor in Toowoomba as well as a 4 door HL in Greenbank

Thanks for the replys,
I need the actual export/ production figures for OZ and NZ, and any good production stories from back in the day, did they really push 50 P76 off an aircraft carrier in the middle of the sea after failing to sell them in NZ?
Stuff like that, legend s too

I think that was the Melbourne & I don't know about the P76s but it did have an appetite for US warships,ferries & wharves.

Great story eh?
I have a feeling it may well be true, apparently they sent 250 to NZ to sell on the deck, they sold 200 at a bargin price and the last 50 were being shipped back to OZ when BL Oz went under, no one wanted them and nobody wanted to pay for the re importation costs, so over the side they went

All the Force 7 coupes bar a few were crushed with the tooling that produced them, it was dropped on the roofs, and then the whole lot got sent for scrap, BL what a company eh