Twenty-one years on from the closure of the MG Rover factory in Longbridge, hundreds gathered to remember a site that once powered British industry.
Today, Pride of Longbridge is more than just a car show. It serves as a reminder of the people, the memories and the legacy left behind. But for some, the connection to these cars runs far deeper.
For Karl Davies, the event carries a deeply personal meaning. Each year, he brings along his son Jack’s car in his memory.
“From a personal point of view, I bring my son’s car, Jack, who passed away unfortunately,” he told WLV News. “He died in a motorbike accident, and he absolutely loved MG.”
“I’ve got his car behind me, which is important for me because it kind of makes me think that he’s still around. It makes me proud, that’s why it’s important to me.”
After losing his son in 2020, bringing the car to Longbridge has become a way for Karl to keep his memory alive. His story reflects a wider feeling shared by many at the event.
For some visitors, Pride of Longbridge is not only about cars but also about personal histories tied to the factory itself.
“This is where I began my working life back in 1967,” one attendee said. “I’m an engineer by training. I came here from university and worked in the factory for two years.
“I lived through the whole saga of British Leyland, the nationalisation and denationalisation, so this is very much part of my personal history.”
Another visitor shared a similar connection, having started as an apprentice before later becoming a Member of Parliament for the area.
“Not only do I live here, but I was an apprentice at the factory in the early 60s,” he said. “I also became the Member of Parliament for Longbridge, and I had a very close relationship with the factory in developing its cars and the prosperity it brought to the area.”
Others reflected on the wider loss felt across the region.
“A bit of the heritage of the Midlands has been ripped away,” one attendee said. “This is a tangible way of keeping some contact with what used to be.”
From stories of loss to moments of pride, events like this show how a shared history can bring people together.