.. 60th Anniversary of Brake production - Saturday 30th September 2006 ..

.. Arial view of the factory at Grange Road - photographed from the `Tower Block` 2006 ..

Webmaster: I decided to re-visit the factory (now owned by Arvin Meritor of America) after being transferred to it's sister plant (now owned by TRW of America), in New Inn, some 15 years ago; as I walked around the factory I noticed several changes:- Disc Brake manufacture was predominant, as opposed to Drum brakes back then, banks of `machining centres`, and the recent addition of a trailer `axle assembly department`.

Outside, a couple of `modern` commercial trucks and a `not so modern` commercial truck, dating back to 1939, were on display; in the canteen area, a large display, consisting of :- `brake assembly modules`,  various photographs of colleagues and presentations etc; memorabilia, a collection of periodicals including `The Granger` for visitors to peruse, and a screen show providing various snapshots throughout it's 60 years of brake manufacture on the site.

The event was very well attended and `congratulations to the organisers` was the `order of the day`

.. A selection of `Girling` related photographs that hopefully you can put `names` to or add some info ..

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.. click on any of the images to enlarge ..

.. Girling Fete - It's a knockout `- Saturday 1st July 1978 ..

.. click on any of the images to enlarge ..

.. Various Logos throughout the years ..

.. The factory ..

.. Girling Amateur Athletic Sports event - Saturday July 16th 1949 ..

Webmaster tip:- click on any of the images to enlarge, then move your cursor over the photograph, wait until the `magnifying glass` icon appears in the bottom right hand corner of the enlarged photograph and then click on the icon to further enlarge the photograph, and enable easier viewing and reading..

.. A selection of Girling Product posters from the 1960`s ..

.. A selection of pages from the `Granger` magazine No.42 Spring 1990 ..

Webmaster tip:- click on any of the images to enlarge, then move your cursor over the photograph, wait until the `magnifying glass` icon appears in the bottom right hand corner of the enlarged photograph and then click on the icon to further enlarge the photograph, and enable easier viewing and reading..

.. 1939 Morris Commercial ..

.. Model CS8 General Service 15cwt. British Army Truck ..

.. Owner:- Mr. Brian Cook ( Retired Girling Engineering Instructor ) ..

This Army truck was used in the post War years as a breakdown truck.

After laying derelict in a damp garage for many years, it was rescued in 1994, and the restoration process started. It is one of only a few known to exist and is the only one to be seen regularly on the road today. It's links with the earlier history of both Lucas and Girling products, made it a very special guest at the Anniversary day.

It is fitted with the following items:-

Bendix Brakes

Lucas was producing brakes long before the Girling name became famous. The brakes on this truck were built at the Lucas Garrison Lane factory in the late 1950`s. It was an unusual combination of parts from subcontractors, we would now regard as competitors.

The brake shoe assemblies were manufactured by New Hudson.

Captain A.H. Girling purchased all the patent and manufacturing rights to New Hudson, and in 1946 `Grange works` was purchased from the government, and brake production started under the `Girling` trade name in 1947.

Luvax Dampers

This truck is fitted with Luvax , cast iron, arm type dampers. Pre war they had been produced in Acton, North London, and production was moved to `Grange works` in 1947, where they remained as a standard item for many years, until replaced by the hydraulic damper, we know today.

Lucas and CAV

The electrical system on this truck was by Lucas. The slightly earlier models (1936-1938) were fitted with the CAV lights, who became part of the Lucas Group at this time.

The lights fitted to this truck are Butler `Black out` lights, fitted to comply with the vehicle lighting restrictions, imposed at the time.

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