Rolls-Royce Mulliner Park Ward Behind The Scenes Training Lance McCormack Oral History
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- Опубликовано: 18 сен 2024
- Rolls-Royce Mulliner Park Ward Part 2 2023: A Journey into the Legacy of Mulliner Park Ward with Lance McCormack. Lance McCormack (Mulliner Park Ward trained), owner of Romance of Rust, a multi-concours award winning classic car restoration business: www.romanceofr...
Founded in 1990 by Lance McCormack (Mulliner Park Ward trained), Romance of Rust is multi-concours award winning classic car restoration business, the company operates out of a 19th century industrial building on the Brentford dock area.
Mulliner Park Ward was a bespoke coachbuilder in Hythe Road, Willesden, London UK.
Mulliner now is the personal commissioning department for Bentley.
Mulliner Park Ward was a subsidiary of Rolls-Royce and made bespoke bodies in London for Rolls-Royce and Bentley motor cars.
Rolls-Royce Limited formed Mulliner Park Ward by the 1961 merger of two Rolls-Royce subsidiaries: Park Ward of Willesden, London, a Rolls-Royce subsidiary since 1939 and H. J. Mulliner & Co. of Chiswick, a Rolls-Royce subsidiary since 1959.
Introduction
Welcome to our in-depth review of Rolls-Royce, where we delve into the fascinating history and craftsmanship behind one of the world's most iconic luxury car brands. In this article, we will specifically explore the legacy of Mulliner Park Ward and its contribution to the Rolls-Royce brand. From the early days of coach building to the present, we will take you on a journey through time. So buckle up and join us as we dive into the world of Rolls-Royce and its extraordinary craftsmanship.
1. The Magnificent Mulliner Park Ward
1.1 The Historical Significance of Mulliner Park Ward
The Mulliner Park Ward, located in Hyde's Road Northwest 10, London, was once a thriving hub of coach building. At its peak, it employed approximately 1600 skilled craftsmen, creating automotive masterpieces that captivated the world.
1.2 Tradition Meets Innovation: Rolls-Royce's Coach Building Division
Mulliner Park Ward, initially owned by Vickers, eventually became the in-house coach builder for Rolls-Royce. This merger resulted in a harmonious blend of traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge innovation. Northwest London, known for its rich heritage in coach building, drew inspiration from the presence of esteemed companies like Hooper and Bentley Motors.
2. An Exclusive Opportunity: Becoming a Rolls-Royce Apprentice
2.1 The Prestige of Joining Rolls-Royce
For young individuals like Lance McCormack, becoming a Rolls-Royce apprentice was an exclusive opportunity. With hundreds of applicants vying for only 40 annual positions, securing a place at Rolls-Royce was a remarkable accomplishment.
2.2 The Intensive Training Experience
Once accepted into the program, apprentices were immersed in a rigorous training curriculum. Led by strict instructors, the training school resembled a disciplined military camp. Male apprentices received comprehensive training that encompassed various aspects of car production, including bodywork, mechanics, trimming, electrical work, and machining.
3. The Transformation: From West London Lad to Rolls-Royce Artisan
3.1 Embracing the Opportunity: Lance McCormack's Journey
Like many young men in West London during that era, Lance McCormack's path led him to Rolls-Royce. With a desire for a prestigious career and the allure of working with renowned luxury cars, he eagerly embraced the opportunity to become part of the Rolls-Royce legacy.
3.2 The Changing Social Landscape and Dress Code
While the social order and fashion were evolving in London, Rolls-Royce still adhered to a somewhat conservative dress code. However, with the emergence of the punk movement and influential bands like the Sex Pistols, the atmosphere within the company began to reflect the changing times.
4. The Enduring Legacy: Mulliner Park Ward's Influence
4.1 Rolls-Royce's Acquisition of Mulliner Park Ward
Rolls-Royce acquired Mulliner Park Ward, solidifying their commitment to unparalleled craftsmanship and luxury. This acquisition marked a pivotal moment in the brand's history, allowing Rolls-Royce to maintain its position at the forefront of automotive excellence.
4.2 Connections and Collaborations
Surprisingly, the connection between Mulliner Park Ward and the Sex Pistols runs deeper than expected. Lance McCormack discovered that both Paul Cook and Glenn Matlock, fathers of the Sex Pistols' members, had worked at the prestigious coach building company. These unexpected connections showcase the diverse range of individuals who contributed to the Rolls-Royce legacy.
Conclusion
As we conclude our exploration of the Rolls-Royce legacy, particularly the influence of Mulliner Park Ward, we are left in awe of the brand's remarkable craftsmanship and dedication to excellence. From its humble beginnings as a coach builder to its status as a symbol of luxury and prestige,
W1RRP is pronounced WURP and is a new entertainment podcast all about Rolls-Royce and Bentley.
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brilliant
Mulliner Park Ward, located in Hyde's Road Northwest 10, London, was once a thriving hub of coach building. At its peak, it employed approximately 1600 skilled craftsmen, creating automotive masterpieces that captivated the world.
I was an ICI apprentice. In 1966 my first wages was 5 pounds plus a few shillings per week. I'm surprised their accuracy target was 4 thou, ours was 1 thou. We also made a range of tools.
Very interesting, thank you. I think Lance was talking about their earlier training. I have no doubt it got a lot more technical over the four years! Did you work on cars?
That man would have a lot of interesting stories. If only he could tell them without being constantly interrupted. Also captioning someone speaking the Queens English is a bit insulting😊
We fired them instantly! Joking! It's not interrupting if you are having a conversation with someone this knowledgeable and you want to clarify some of the points they are making. We all benefit from getting the information from people who were there and that's what we are trying to do. Is it King's English now? Over 60% of people under 30 watch RUclips on a mobile with the sound off - the captions are for them! Lot's more great content with Lance about Mulliner Park Ward coming up - keep watching! Thanks
@@W1RRP.Rolls.Royce.Podcast Yes you are interrupting and the problem with your interruptions is that you don't allow people to finish what they are saying and your interruptions are usually banal or obvious statements which ruins the flow of the thing. Just try harder to shut up and let people speak. As Basil Brush said" Oh just shut up and let him get on with it"!
Can you PLEASE stop talking over your interviewees? They have much more to say than you.
I've gone in to more detail below. I am never interrupting to put forward my point of view. I only interrupt to clarify a point that Lance has just made. Important when talking to someone of his knowledge to try and get all the facts, harder to go back and ask questions five / ten minutes later.
This is very important historical information lance is giving us, that is very rarely recorded. If anyone would like to invest a quarter of a million to cover the costs of a bigger film crew then we could certainly avoid any interruptions . We would have a researcher there taking notes and we could go back and clarify facts - so if you would like to fund that, I would be more than happy to do it! Thanks
I call BS.
Were you there, if you weren't then don't bother commenting or watching the channel. If you were then provide some informative information, not just ignorant throw away comments. Lance is orviding some really interesting, never before heard, information about the world of Rolls-Royce. You on the other hand are providing nothing and contributing nothing. Thank you.
@@W1RRP.Rolls.Royce.Podcast I didn't work at Hythe Road, not Hyde Road as you've suggested. I worked in a different area within the official network and have worked with people that did their apprenticeships their. Most of that time was for the only ever officially appointed Coachbuilder and when MPW was close down we ended up with much of the special tooling including the Phantom bucks and the powered assembly jigs for Corniche hoods. At this point we then became supplier to Rolls-Royce for out of production MPW parts.
As their technical manager I was involved in all aspects of what we so and in many cases that was hands on. I also designed and costed special feature that in some cases Rolls-Royce said couldn't be done including the first TV and video installation into a Continental R they'd claimed was impossible. I visited Hythe Road regularly so know the place very well.
He never gets to say anything interesting, partly because you keep interrupting and the fact the video is so short. Nothing he says is different to any similar foundation course in industry at that time and nothing was set out to break anyone, it was just to perfect the use of basic hand tools. For someone with no qualifications he would have been doing a lot of maths and schools at that time taught metal and woodworking skills, even to the girls.
There are lots of really interesting stories from Hythe Road like how wheelbarrows were used to move parts to build up the cars in stages or how the entire side of a Phantom in build had to be replaced because it was a well known game on road testing to speed though a narrow width restriction in nearby roads to see who could beat the record. Many of the parts used were simply modified or even added without any process to record the changes so when a customer attempted to order they didn't exist. I've walked along the production line (two rails in the floor) and picked up bits we needed. Of course these were free as there were no part numbers and therefor no prices.
I'd love to see some photos of the people who built my 1973 Fixed Head Corniche 2 door saloon
Love your car! Keep watching, better than photos, Lance does a walk around of a Corniche coupe and explains the way they built them, really interesting videos coming up! Thanks