Lancia Motor Club

After re-reading the great Lancia in the UK book, it got me thinking about the Alperton works site. Using some of my favourite internet tools including the Google earth App and the brilliant all time consuming  NLS Map Project   https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/side-by-side/#zoom=18&lat=51.53802&lon=-0.30040&layers=170&right=ESRIWorld which I can waste hours on, I found these images. 

Firstly, the site plans from the book showing the extent of the site top left and the internal layout, which in my mind is split into 3 parts, front office and façade, mid and back workshops.   

2 Ariel views from https://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/ dating 1928 and 1930, with empty land at the rear ending a row of buildings, as shown on the above layout plan. Also what’s interesting is that Lancia purchased the land with and then built, so judging by the 1928 photo the Lancia works were completed before the Singer Car Company London site, next door. So, did Singer copy and followed Lancia into the area?

Winding forward 70 years are the aerial views from Google Earth. 2002 showing the majority of the building still standing, with the much later rear extension as mentioned in the book, featuring the ramp to the 2nd floor. Although it looks like the land has ready been split, with the front section awaiting demolition.

By early 2014 only a sliver of the rear of the original building still stands as well as the rear extension, which was a furniture shop for some time.

A screen shot from NLS Map project Now showing todays aerial view next to a 1944 detailed map, which puts the size of the original plot into perspective, with the rear empty plot almost going back as far as the mini round about. 

Lastly from Google Street view, the remaining piece of the old building and extension with the car ramp being sold off in 2014 and what it looks like today. The original factory gone, but the skeleton of the rear extension and car ramp lives on, it not slightly remodelled.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s I used to visit quite frequently. On one occasion my Augusta broke down on the Western Avenue, just before the underpass and I was able to walk round to the Lancia Works and organise recovery!

Fascinating stuff. I never knew Singer Cars were next door.
Amazing what one can find on the internet if you know where to look.
Chris

I love the ramp. My local Fiat/ Lancia main agent had an 'upstairs' workshop also, although I can't find a single reference to the now demolished building.Also I will revisit the book.  From 'Michael', former employee, a photo via Brian Hilton showing a slightly clearer view of the yellow furniture shop occupying the 'last sliver'. Richard