The date is August 26th 1959 and the huge exhibition hall in BMC’s Longbridge factory complex is packed with the world’s leading motoring journalists, VIPs and senior BMC management. In the front row, Sir Leonard Lord, Sir George Harriman and Alec Issigonis are chatting earnestly, discussing the profile of the young man who would shortly emerge in front of them. Everywhere, company publicity bunting adorns the walls. Suddenly the lights dim and conversation dies to a whisper. There is an air of eager expectation as a young man dressed as a conjurer, complete with top hat, tails and a wand dramatically makes his introduction. “Ladies and gentleman,” he declares with an expansive gesture, “the magic word is, Issi-gonis. I give you… the incredible Austin Seven!”
Well over sixty years on, this…
