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ROCHDALE BUSINESS 1998
By Paul Hartley.
Note: VW Group has now purchased R.R. - Bentley |
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he legendary Bentley racing marque could make a comeback – if a British consortium wins the
battle to buy Rolls Royce. |
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The consortium, including millionaire Rochdale engineer Al Melling, plans to recapture the glory days of
the 1920's when British Racing Green Bentleys were masters of the track. Mr. Melling, who has designed engines for some of the fastest cars in the world, reveals "Bentley won Le mans in the
1920's and that kind of image is going to be brought back if the consortium is successful. It's going to be done in a very big, professional way. |
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Mr. Melling, 54, owner of Melling Consultancy Design, is part of the Rolls Royce Action Group, a consortium
of around a dozen companies and individuals who want to keep the world famous company in British hands. Rolls Royce is Britain's last major luxury carmaker to remain independent of the large
motor manufacturers. |
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It was found almost 100 years ago after Charles Rolls met Henry Royce at Manchester's Midland Hotel. Parent
company Vickers, which has returned the car maker to profit since its take-over in 1979, is selling the company to concentrate on its defence and engineering interests. |
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Potential bidders are thought to include BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen and even Harrods owner Mohammed Fayed.
However Mr Melling who owns a chauffeur driven Bentley, is determined the company will continue to fly the British Flag. He says "Rolls Royce is very dear to a lot of people's hearts in
Britain. Two years ago we offered to build them an engine for nothing but they went to BMW instead." |
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"Having said that the V10 engine I was prepared to offer two years ago and have continued to work on at
my own expense is still available." |
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Mr. Melling will become non-executive technical director if his consortium's bid succeeds. He says
"This could be one of the most exciting things to happen to a British motor company for more than 20 years." |
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His engineering expertise is a big coup for the action group and would play a vital role in the development
of a Bentley racing team. In the past, he has designed the V8 engine for the TVR Cerbera sports car and Tuscan racing cars and worked with Grand Prix teams. Last year he was part of a consortium
building an engine for a fresh assault on the Formula 1 crown by Indy Car specialists Lola. This project stalled after its backers pulled out on the eve of the Brazilian Grand prix. |
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However, Mr. Melling reveals that a deal could be on the cards with another Formula 1 team. He says,
"It's quite a prestigious team. So many people were flying in to see us that we had to sponsor the local cricket club because the helicopters kept landing on their pitch and they weren't to
happy about it." Mr. Melling also revealed there would soon be a major announcement affecting March, another big name to Indy Car racing which is launching a new generation of superbikes
using one of his engines. |
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He adds, "It has been confirmed that the research and development facility for this project will be
maintained in Rochdale. To start off with that will probably mean up to 60 jobs. Over a period of three years it could mean up to 300 jobs." |
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