Rights to Austin Rover Ltd offered for sale at Iconic Auctioneers’ May 18 sale with no reserve
Just as we thought the dust had settled over the whole British Leyland saga, Iconic Auctioneers’ May 18 sale offers the chance to acquire the UK company named Austin Rover Ltd.
Many observers have suggested this is a chance to acquire the remnants of what was once the giant BL concern, but according to the details held by Companies House, the company (number 08644851) was only incorporated in August 2013 – long after Austin Rover had ceased to exist as a car-making brand. According to Iconic however, the current owner purchased the name directly from MG Rover’s administrators.
The company name Austin Rover Ltd was used briefly between November 1981 and April 1982 before becoming BL Cars Ltd and then Rover Group Ltd, after which it was renamed to MG Rover Group Ltd which was finally dissolved last year.
It looks like an intriguing chance to acquire a trading name which still has great significance to the classic car world and it comes with the domain names austinroverltd.co.uk and austinrover.uk. Rather randomly, the purchase also comes with a selection of original factory drawings for the Metro 6R4.
With both the Austin and the Rover marques now owned by other car makers, owning the Austin Rover company would provide an opportunity for a buyer to trade using the names in an official capacity.
The unusual purchase is lot 254, offered at no reserve in Iconic’s Supercar Fest sale at Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire on May 18. More details can be found at iconicauctioneers.com
