Since 1905, Herbert Austin's Longbridge car factory, known locally as The Austin, has provided a livelihood for many thousands of families in the West Midlands. This is the story of The Austin - both the vehicles produced there and the factory itself - in the words of those intimately involved in the styling, design, testing and building of cars. It should be of interest to motoring enthusiasts as well as those who have worked at Longbridge under the various ownerships, including BMC, British Leyland, Austin-Rover and BMW.