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Re: How long to fix your Sunbeam ?????

To: "Jeff Howarth" <jeff@v8tiger.demon.co.uk>
Subject: Re: How long to fix your Sunbeam ?????
From: "Peter Noonan" <peter.noonan@xtra.co.nz>
Date: Sun, 8 Sep 2002 11:29:16 +1200
Jeff, I have a fair collection of these to elaborate on.

Man Hour Schedules were produced from pre Rootes days for all models at
least from 1930 onwards.
After WW2 they were consecutively numbered and prefixed MHS ie Man Hour
Schedule

MHS2 issd Oct 49 covered Hillman Minx 1936 - 48 models and cancelled all
previous (un-numbered) Minx issues.

My guess, Jeff has MHS24.
I have the 4th reissue of this dated 1966

There is a rarer partner one to find which is MHS26
Paintwork Man Hour Schedule
    40 Hours for a complete Alpine repaint.........

Highest # I have is MHS34 for Avenger Sunbeam 1250/1500 & 1300/1600 not
dated loose leaf.

These were not always Confidential
For 6d, perhaps 5cents then, one could buy the Clement Talbot 10hp 1936/7/8
model issue.
But MHS34 declares itself "Strictly Private and Confidential. For the use of
Authorised Dealers only."

Defintely NOT applicable for restoration repair work but quite applicable
for dismantling times.

Peter

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeff Howarth" <jeff@v8tiger.demon.co.uk>
To: <alpines@autox.team.net>
Sent: Sunday, September 08, 2002 9:02 AM
Subject: How long to fix your Sunbeam ?????


> Hi Everyone,
>
> I picked up a very interesting book yesterday which I thought you might
> like me to share with you.
>
> It is a confidential dealer 'man hour schedule' for working on Rootes
> cars from 1963.
>
> It is marked 'STRICTLY PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL' for the use for Rootes
> main dealers and dealers only. So I have only shared it with 2 people,
> one called tiger and one called Alpine, both work for a Rootes
> dealership called autox.team.net so I guess the Rootes management team
> may not come looking for me 8-)
>
> The book covers Alpine, Gazelle, Rapier, Hawk, Husky and cob, Minx,
> Rapier, Sceptre, Super Minx, Super Snipe and Vogue.
>
> an extract...
>
> 'FOREWORD'
>
> Quote - " This schedule is issued with the objective of standardising
> service repair times throughout the Rootes service organisation. It
> covers all the more common service operations on a vehicle which is
> standard and has been maintained in accordance with our
> recommendations."
>
>
>
>
> It list the times allowed for the workshop technicians to complete
> standard tasks on an Alpine for example :
> times are hrs:mins
>
> (all times are to Remove and refit)
>
> complete engine                 7:10
> cylinder head                   3:45
> Clutch driven plate             4:45
> over drive                      7:45
> instrument panel swap           2:45
> One over rider (bumperette)     0:10
> complete door                   1:00
> bonnet                          0:30
> soft top                        5:00
>
> there is a whole book of them, more than I can type!
>
> Then some interesting ones under ROOTES SPECIAL ACCESSORIES which was
> interesting (all times are to install):
>
> Heater                          4:30
> heater fan kit                  0:45
> Radio - Radiomobile deluxe      3:00
> radio - Pye                     3:00
> Radio Ekco                      3:00
> Ammeter                         0:30
> windscreen washer manual        2:15
> windscreen washer electric      2:15
> radiator blind                  2:00
> bonnet motif                    0:30
> luggage grid                    0:10
> reverse lights                  1:30
> gear lever lock                 2:00
> hard top install                2:30 !!!!!
> Map pockets (+15 mins of radio fitted)  0:30
> Headlamp flasher                1:00 (I assume for NA models)
>
>
>
> It then list rate tables to make you cry which are listed in GB pounds
> and US Dollars
>
> Rates run from 5 shillings per hour to 25 shillings per hour ( 0,25 GB
> pounds to 1.25 GB pounds), and also $1 per hour to $10 per hour
>
> It is interesting also that the rates run to $10 dollars and 1.25 pounds
> which is now around $2 ! Shows how the interest rate have changes.
>
> Now I don't expect you to run to your local Sunbeam maintainer and say
> but this job only takes 10 mins as I assume these rates are based on
> cars that are fairly new and all bolts come out and the parts are in the
> store next to the workshop !!
>
> One entry hit home to me, supply and fit Over drive switch - 30 mins -
> sorry Bob !! 8-)
>
> Also no listings for Harringtons, but the time taken to 'install' a hard
> top makes us all realise the time and care we need to take in order top
> fit the HT, normally around 3 mins.  - I guess it must include time to
> remove it from a shipping crate.
>
>
> It's a shame the book is a little too early to cover a Tiger because I
> would love to see the time listed to change some things.
>
> I know this is very rare, but has anyone else got one or ever seen one?
>
> It provides a great insight into how Rootes worked on the service side,
> I know how it works in main dealers but have not seen it documented for
> Rootes before.
>
>
>
>
> regards
>
> Jeff
>
>
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>
> --
> Jeff Howarth

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