Stripping the Consul
May 1, 2019
Mauro has begun work this week on stripping our 1956 Ford Consul
May 1, 2019
Bridge Classic Cars visit AS Motorsport
May 1, 2019
Ady popped in to see his good friend Andrew at AS Motorsport this week. Introducing AS Motorsport David Brown had always set his sights on
1975 MGB: new wiring loom
May 1, 2019
We are currently fitting up the brand new wiring loom, supplied to us by our friends at Autosparks. Autosparks are the ‘go-to’ people when it
Bridge Classic Cars visit AS Motorsport
May 1, 2019
Ady popped in to see his good friend Andrew at AS Motorsport this week.
Introducing AS Motorsport
David Brown had always set his sights on a win at Le Mans. This was to be achieved in 1959 together with victory in the World Sports Car Championship by the team of DBR1’s. This model proved to be highly successful, and along with the larger engined DBR2’s, scored many wins on both sides of the Atlantic. After achieving their goal, Aston Martin then concentrated on single seater racing. Only five DBR1’s and a pair of DBR2’s were ever constructed.
AS Motorsport recreates the glory of these cars with the production of the highly detailed ASM R1 Le Mans.
Each car is built to order with the customer having a range of options from which to choose.
Andrew Soar grew up on the Family Farm in Bressingham, South Norfolk, and was involved in the smooth operation of it from an early age. Finding the engineering aspect intriguing and enjoyable, he learnt skills ranging from Blacksmithing with ‘Billy the Smithy’, to electronics found on GPS harvesters; as well as how to siphon petrol from his father’s car to propel an old banger around the stubble fields, but that is another story!
Having completed an engineering apprenticeship and knowing that Agriculture would not provide sufficient income for all the generations involved in the running of the arable farm, Andrew found he liked the challenge of college life, and began lecturing in the Technical Department. He stayed there for ten years, teaching engineering and gaining the skills and experience that would stand him in good stead for the future.
Further diversification ensued, working as a consultant in the Construction and Engineering Sector, specialising in the safety and operation of heavy plant, with a worldwide, multinational company as a prime customer.
In between times though, the mid-nineties brought a brief spell of wanderlust which resulted in more engineering work, but this time in the Great Plains of the USA. It is probably here that the spark which was kindled, aged 11, with a Morris Minor on a stubble field, grew into the flame and roar of V8 muscle cars. On returning home, the building of kit-cars ensued, starting with a Cobra 427, which went through a series of V8 engines and gearboxes, each an improvement on the next, and various suspension developments.
However, working away from home all the time finally gave way to the wish to be ‘at home’ on the farm. With a new wife to support, an engineering business was started from the farm, undertaking specialist jobs on other Cobra’s. Cobras have remained a theme, with the 289 shape being the current example, sporting a custom designed chassis and suspension.
1975 MGB: new wiring loom
May 1, 2019
We are currently fitting up the brand new wiring loom, supplied to us by our friends at Autosparks.
Autosparks are the ‘go-to’ people when it comes to brand new wiring looms.
“The origins of Autosparks date back to around the 1920’s when it’s founder, Mr Henry Colomb, formed an electrical business in Beverley Road, Hull.
It is unclear when the progression from electrical to auto-electrical took place although we do have a certificate from the Trade Mark authorities dated July 1954 registering the original company logo as seen below.
Under the ownership of Henry and the management of Mr Cliff Dalton, Autosparks Ltd flourished and by the 1980’s was a well established and well respected company. With Mr Colomb, then retired, living in Malta, and Mr Dalton reaching retirement age, the running of the company was left to a younger family member and with growing competition, the company finally collapsed in August 1991.
Meanwhile I began my business, R D Components, in November 1977, initially manufacturing and selling spares for the legendary BSA Gold Star motorcycle. Within 12 months I was doing full restorations and one of the items I had to make myself was the Wiring Harness. From there I built virtually a full range of Harnesses for all Post-war British Motorcycles, even supplying the reborn Triumph Motorcycles at Meriden. By 1983 I had began producing harnesses for classic cars, as well as manufacturing original equipment harnesses for the prestigious Aston Martin Lagonda marque which continued until the models at the time, the V8 and Lagonda saloons, were phased out in 1990. The rate at which R D Components grew and the quality of its products soon undermined the strength of, and the then complacent attitude of Autosparks. In 1991 we bought and moved Autosparks down to our base in Sandiacre, Nottingham.
Over half of the 30 plus workforce that are with me today were around at the time of the takeover offering an unrivalled wealth of knowledge and expertise to ensure that the quality of everything we produce remains very high.
Today Autosparks produces a range of Harnesses for classic Motorcycles, Cars, Tractors and Commercial Vehicles as well as supplying original equipment Harnesses to smaller volume manufacturers including such diverse applications as some of the top British Sportscars, European Road Sweepers and a range of Emergency Vehicles.
Roger Davis
AUGUST 2012
Since writing the above, probably ten or eleven years ago, the company has moved forward again. I decided that it was time to bring some younger blood into the ownership of Autosparks so in November 2005 we formed a limited company once more introducing new directors and shareholders. Debbie Johnson, who has for many years ran the ‘business’ side of the company as well as building up a wealth of knowledge of the products joined me as director and shareholder as well as three of the long term staff as shareholders.
Our workforce remains solid with, apart from a few of retirements, the same core members of staff that have served us well for so long.
Roger Davis”
