National Rescue and Autobase in the eighties

In the mid eighties a group of people from different parts of the Motor Trade, got together to form Autobase. The concept was simple, bring all the Nation's write offs under one roof and then auction them to 'registered' repairs or dismantlers.

National Rescue would look after the transportation of vehicles as well as operating a local Breakdown Recovery Service. Most importantly it would become a relay station for vehicles going North from the companies (at the time) seven Southern depots. Recovery Vehicles were specifically exempt the drivers hours regulations, controlling all other transport companies and we felt it was only a matter of time before it would effect the recovery industry (In fact it took another Twenty years).

Sadly the concept of controlling the sales of written off vehicles, was also ahead of its time. The insurance companys engineers fearing the loss of all their power (and in some cases 'back handers'), made sure the concept failed. In the end of course, it was copied by the insurance companies themselves a few years later.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

[robbyis007]

Did the driver get out ok?

[andysvideo]

Yes as far as we know,

it was stolen and probably joy rided over the bank for a laugh!

[davybranson]

That water looks damn cold, was he the aprentice?