Jensen Motors Trim Shop Employees A-Z

Jensen Motors had one of the best reputations in the motor industry for the quality of their trim. This was based not just on using the best leathers and other materials, but also by the high standard expected from Jensen Motors’ Trim Shop.

Former Jensen Motors quality Engineer, Paul Turner,  told the Museum, “we never had issues with the quality or finish of the trim, defects we found, virtually always related to bodywork, paint, and general fitting of components.”

The Trim Shop was headed by Jim D’Maine, he was a Company veteran, having started back in the late 1940s / early 1950s, and remaining as head of trim shop until the Company’s closure in 1976.

Former Jensen Motors employee, Clive Kendrick spent some time in the Trim Shop during his apprenticeship (1963 – 1968). At the time, the Trim Shop was up stairs in the factory (however towards the end of the 1960s, it was moved downstairs).

 

 

Kendrick remembers the layout of the Trim Shop when it was upstairs, ” As you walked upstairs to the Trim Shop, and went through the door, immediately on the left were the machinist ladies, and on the right was the cutting tables.

During the time the Company were still building the Healey 3000, most of that work was taking place further down on the left. Right at the top of the Trim Shop, was a very large table, and it was there that they were triming all the CV8 interiors. Obviously the Healey 3000 and CV8 areas were taken over with Interceptor work later in the 1960s.”

 

SANDRA BATH (LATER SANDRA NATION) – SEAT STUFFER

Started at Jensen Motors in December 1960, and left at the beginning of 1967. Bath stuffed seats with filling, fitted the fastenings to carpets, and operated the machine that bonded the rear window into the Austin Healey 3000 soft top. She married Frank Nation, a labourer working at the factory.

 

 

JESSICA YVONNE BILLINGTON – TRIM ASSISTANT

Born 2nd December 1934. Joined Jensen Motors 5th October 1953. Made redundant 22nd April 1955.

HARRY BISSELL – TRIMMER

Bissel was working as a trimmer at the Carter’s Green factory. Starting date & finish date not known.

BERNARD JOHN BOLAND – TRIMMER

Born 28th April 1940. Joined Jensen Motors 15th December 1961. Made redundant 12th October 1962. Reinstated 4th March 1963. Made redundant again 9th August 1963.

HETTY BRAZENHALL – SEWING MACHINST

Born 29th April 1936. Joined Jensen Motors  on 5th October 1953. Initially working in Jensen Motors’ Gala Restaurant. The Gala Restaurant was only used by senior management. By the 1960s the name had been changed to the Directors Restaurant. Brazenhall was transferred from the Gala Restaurant to the Trim Department during the 1950s, becoming a sewing machinist. She left on 2nd October 1959. Rejoined Jensen Motors on 28th March 1960.  Made redundant on 2nd November 1962. Reinstated 20th May 1964.  Left September 1964.

ERNST WILLIAM BRANT – TRIMMER

Born 19th September 1912. Joined Jensen Motors on 31st December 1956. Left Jensen Motors 16th August 1957.

STANLEY CLIFFORD BRIDGMAN – TRIMMER

Born 2nd March 1913. Joined Jensen Motors on 6th October 1953. Bridgman left by his own request for a few months in 1955, but rejoined. He was made redundant on 2nd December 1960.

DAVID BROWN – TRIMMER

According to former employee, Clive Kendrick, Brown was an apprentice trimmer in the middle 1960s. Start / finish dates not known.

MAUREEN BURFORD – SEWING MACHINIST

Start / finish dates not known. Working at Kelvin Way in the 1960s.

JAQUELINE BUTLER – SEWING MACHINIST

Start / finish dates not known

JOHNNY BUTLER – TRIMMER

Start / finish dates not known. Butler was working on hoods for the Austin Healey 3000, together with Sydney Howells and Eric Ward. Although a trimmer, while working on hoods he would have been situated in sub-assembly for the 3000.

JANET ROSA CARTER – SEWING MACHINIST

Born 30th December 1942. Joined Jensen Motors on 30th December 1957 straight from school as a trainee. Left by own request on 29th August 1969. Rejoined Jensen Motors part-time on 9th August 1971.  Left by own request on 22nd October 1971.

DENNIS CARTWRIGHT – TRIMMER

Born 23rd may 1928. Joined Jensen Motors on 11th January 1954.  Remained at Jensen Motors through to being made redundant on 21st May 1976.

TERENCE CARTWRIGHT – TRIMMER

Born 17th may 1942. Joined Jensen Motors on 12th August 1957. Left by own request on 7th February 1958.

FRANK THOMAS CAULKETT – FINISHER TRIMMER

Born 13th October 1915. Joined Jensen Motors on 3rd June 1957. Made redundant on 2nd December 1960. Reinstated 27th February 1961. Made redundant on 18th October 1961. Reinstated 26th November 1962.  Made redundant on 3rd November 1967.

JOHN THMOAS CHERRINGTON – TRIMMER

Born 11th September 1939. Joined Jensen Motors on 29th December 1954. Left by own request on 17th June 1955.

R.CHESTER – TRIM SHOP

R.Chester was on the list of 49 former employees who attended the Memorial for Gilbert Hughes in 2003. Former employee, Clive Kendrick, doesn’t remember an R.Chester in the Trim Shop when he was there. However, he did know a Ray Chester, that was on production with the Austin 3000. It may be the same person.

JOAN COATES – SEWING MACHINIST

Born 13th May 1924. Joined Jensen Motors on 10th August 1953. Left by own request on 13th July 1956.

PAULINE COOPER – SEWING MACHINIST

Start / finish dates not known. Working at Kelvin Way in 1960s.

THOMAS GEORGE CRESSWELL – TRIMMER

Born 26th December 1922. Joined Jensen Motors on 27th December 1956. Left by own request on 13th December 1957.

LUCY CURSON – SEWING MACHINIST

Born 19th July 1907. Joined Jensen Motors 31st January 1950 and left by own request on 7th April 1950. Rejoined Jensen Motors on 10th August 1953. Left by own request on 13th January 1956.

MAURICE DAVIES – TRIMMER

According to Clive Kendrick, Davies was a trainee trimmer in the mid-1960s. Start / finish dates not known.

JIM D’MAINE – HEAD OF TRIM DEPARTMENT

Jim D’Maine had joined Jensen Motors back at the Carter’s Green days as a trimmer. Start date not known, but possibly late 1940s, early 1950s. He remained with Jensen Motors through to 1976, heading the trim department. He may have retired rather than move over to Jensen Parts & Service, as his ‘deputy’, Gilbert Hughes moved over to Jensen Parts & Service as Head of Trim Department. Jim D’Maine’s son, John, was a Senior Body Design Draughtsman at Jensen Motors. Former employee, Clive Kendrick worked in the Trim Shop as a part of his apprenticeship. He sums up Jim D’Maine as a sort of friendly tyrant, who didn’t take any nonsense, but always willing to help anyone.

BRIAN ELVINS – TRIM CUTTER THEN TRIM FOREMAN

Start / finish date not known. Former employee, Clive Kendrick remembers Elvins acted as the unofficial bookie at Jensen Motors, taking bets on horses etc. By the beginning of the 197os, Elvins was made Foreman in the Trim Shop under Jim D’Maine. According to Kendrick, D’Maine was finding he needed assistance by that time. Gilbert Hughes would have been the next in line to become a Foreman, but as he was also Works Convener, the two jobs wouldn’t have mixed very well.

 

DOROTHY JESSIE FOLEY – SEWING MACHINIST

Born 24th January 1921. Joined Jensen Motors at the Carter’s Green factory on 15th may 1950 after working previously at the Austin Motor Co. Interestingly her actual job title is shown as ‘Power Sewing Machinist’. Foley left Jensen on 6th April 1951.

JOHN THOMAS GIBBS – TRIMMER

Born 22nd February 1942. joined Jensen Motors 24th April 1957. Made redundant 2nd December 1960. Reinstated 13th march 1961.  Made redundant 9th August 1963. Reinstated 10th August 1964.  Made redundant 21st April 1967. Rejoined 23rd February 1971. Remained at Jensen until 1976. During 1960s was  working on the Sunbeam Tigers, later working on CV8s, then Interceptors. John Gibb married Maureen Gibb (her maiden name Harrison).

MAUREEN GIBBS – SEWING MACHINIST

Born Maureen Harrison on 30th August 1943. Joined Jensen Motors 17th February 1964. Made redundant 27th October 1967. Rejoined 7th February 1972. Remained at Jensen Motors until 1976. She moved over to Jensen Parts & Service. Maureen Harrison married John Thomas Gibbs.

NELLIE GINN – SEWING MACHINIST

Born 16th November 1919. Joined Jensen Motors on 18th November 1946. Left 22nd December 1950.

LILY GORDON – TRIMMER

Born 6th march 1929. Joined Jensen Motors 6th July 1964.Made redundant 27th October 1967. Reinstated 26th August 1968. Made redundant 13th March 1970. As with a number of female employees at Jensen, Lily Gordon lived across the road from the factory in Kelvin Way.

MALCOLM REX GORDON – TRIMMER

Born 5th September 1939. Joined Jensen Motors on 2nd January 1962. Made redundant on 27th October 1967. Reinstated 26th August 1968. Made redundant 13th March 1970.

JOAN GREEN – TRIMMER

Born 31st January 1925. Joined Jensen Motors as a trimmer on 4th April 1960. Made redundant 2nd December 1960. Reinstated 16th May 1961. Made redundant  again  August 1963. Reinstated 5th December 1963. Made redundant again 27th October 1967.

ERNEST JOSEPH HARTLAND – TRIMMER

Born 11th May 1936. Joined Jensen Motors 28th January 1958. Engaged by Brian Elvins. Made redundant 2nd December 1960. reinstated 1st May 1961. Made redundant again 9th August 1963. Found employment with Austin at Longbridge. Returned to Jensen Motors on 11th October 1971. Remained at Jensen Motors until being made redundant again in 1976.

GRACE MIRIAM HARTLAND – SEWING MACHINIST

Born 14th April 1919. Joined Jensen Motors on 22nd February 1956. It isn’t known how long she remained at Jensen Motors. There was a number of Hartlands working at Jensen Motors. If they were a part of the same family isn’t known.

HENRY CLIFFORD HARTLES –  TRIMMER

Born 31st march 1894, Hartles joined Jensen Motors on 5th October 1953.  He had previously worked at the Daimler Motor Co. Hartles left Jensen Motors on 24th July 1959.

FRANCIS THOMAS HARRIS – TRIMMER

Born 4th May 1918. Joined Jensen Motors 8th January 1962. Made redundant 13th July 1962.

GEORGE WILLIAM HARRIS – SEAT TRIMMER

Born 27th January 1935. Joined Jensen Motors on 3rd April 1950 as a trainee trimmer. Left a couple of years later to serve time with the armed forces. Re-joined Jensen Motors on 5th may 1955. Remained at Jensen until 21st May 1976.

MAURICE THOMAS HARRISON – TRIMMER

Born 2nd February 1935. Joined Jensen Motors 3rd April 1950 as a trainee trimmer. Made redundant on 27th October 1967.

WILLIAM JAMES HARRISON – TRIMMER

Born 13th November 1929. Joined Jensen Motors 24th march 1960.  Made redundant 2nd December 1960.  Reinstated 10th April 1961. Made redundant again 9th August 1963.

DOLLIE BELL HASFALL – TRIM SHOP WORK

Born 15th October 1915. Joined Jensen Motors on 3rd January 1957. Left 8th may 1959 by own request. Returned 25th January 1960. Made redundant 2nd December 1960.  Initially working within the Trim Department, Hasfall was moved across to work as a car cleaner on the Volvo track. She died in 1961.

MARGARET HAWTHORNE – SEWING MACHINIST

Born 2nd December 1925, Hawthorne first joined Jensen Motors during the war on 17th August 1941. She left on 23rd June 1946, but rejoined on 28th August 1950. She eft again on 6th July 1951.

FLORENCE HAYNES – SEWING MACHINIST

Born 13th April 1944. Joined Jensen Motors direct from school on 1st April 1959. Left Jensen Motors on 16th November 1959.

SHEILA MARGARET HAYNES – SEWING MACHINIST

Born 5th may 1940. Joined Jensen Motors on 6th July 1959.  Made redundant 2nd December 1960.  Reinstated 26th June 1961.  Left Jensen Motors on 12th October 1962.

VIOLET HENN – SEWING MACHINIST

Born 7th December 1920. Joined Jensen Motors on 20th March 1963. Henn left employment after less than two weeks, on 29th march 1963.

HORACE HOWARD HESLINGTON – TRIMMER

Born 1st December 1919. Joined Jensen Motors on 31st December 1956, after working at Mulliners Ltd, Birmingham. Made redundant 2nd February 1960.  Reinstated 28th February 1961.  Made redundant 18th October 1962. Known to have been working on the Volvo P1800 trim.

DENISE LORRAINE HICKMANN – TRIMMER

Born 15th June 1957. Joined Jensen Motors as a trainee trimmer on 27th August 1973. Remained at Jensen Motors until 6th June 1975.

ANN CATHERINE HIGGS – TRIMMER

Born 8th January 1925. Joined Jensen Motors on 21st January 1954. How long Higgs remained at Jensen isn’t known.

ARTHER WALLACE JOHN HINGLEY – TRIMMER

Born 7th march 1945. Joined Jensen Motors direct from school on 20th April 1960. Remained at Jensen Motors until being made redundant in 1976. Former employee, Clive Kendrick remembers Hingley was the goalkeeper for Jensen F.C. Hingley’s father, John Hingley  also worked at Jensen Motors having joined in September 1956.

JOSEPHINE ALEXANDRA WENDY HINGLEY – MACHINIST

Born 16th August 1954. Joined Jensen Motors direct from school on 4th August 1969 as a trainee sewing machine operator. Remained at Jensen Motors until being made redundant in 1976. She was the sister of Arthur Hingley. Her father, John Hingley,  also worked at Jensen Motors having joined in September 1956.

DAVID HOPKINS – TRIMMER

Start / finish dates not known.

SYDNEY HOWELLS – TRIMMER

Start / finish dates not known. Howells was working on hoods for the Austin Healey 3000, together with Johnny Butler and Eric Ward. Although a trimmer, while working on hoods he would have been situated in sub-assembly for the 3000.

GILBERT HUGHES – SENIOR TRIMMER

Hughes was D’Maine’s right-hand man. Having started at Jensen Motors in 1953, Hughes remained at Jensen Motors until 1976. He moved over to Jensen Parts & Service, becoming Head of a much reduced Trim Department. Hughes was born in 1918, and died in 2002. As well as a trimmer, Hughes was the works convener for the Union. Much respected, no less than 49 former Jensen employees went to Gilbert Hughes Memorial held in 2003.

BRENDA KERRIGAN – MACHINIST

Start / finish dates not known. Working in the Trim Shop early 1960s.

STAN KNIGHT – TRIMMER

Knight started his employment at the Carters Green factory in 1953 as a trimmer. He moved to Kelvin Way, and continued as a trimmer, working on the Healey 3000. In Particular, Knight fitted all the sound deadening material in place. Later he was moved onto the Interceptor line, and continued to fit the sound deadening. Knight retired in 1973.

SID LAWRENCE – SQUAB TRIMMER

Start / finish dates not known.

BILLY PARKS – TRIMMER

According to former employee, Clive Kendrick, Parks was working at Jensen Motors from 1963 (possibly earlier). He worked at Jensen Motors until 1975 / 76.

DENNIS PRICE – TRIMMER

Starting dates and finish dates not known. However, he is known to have been working as a trimmer at Jensen Motors in the mid-1950s, moved to Kelvin Way and was working at Kelvin Way into the 1970s.

JOHN ‘RALPHY’ RALPH – TRIMMER

According to former employee, Clive Kendrick, Ralph was working at Jensen Motors from 1963 (possibly earlier). He worked at JenSen Motors until 1975 / 76. The main top left image shows John Ralph trimming a MK.II Interceptor rear seat. THe man in the centre in the background (looking as though he is wearing a red waist coat), is George Johnston, one of the Interceptor Line Rectifiers.

DAVE SMITH – TRIMMER

Start / finish dates not known. Is known to have been working in the Trim Shop early 1960s. He mounted seat coverings onto the frames.

JEFF SMITH – TRIMMER

Start / finish dates not known. Is known to have been working in the Trim Shop early 1960s. Nephew of Dave Smith.

KEITH TAYLOR – TRIMMER

Born in 1940, Taylor was brought up in a typical West Bromwich working class household. He left school as soon as it was possible, at the age of 15. His teachers tried to persuade him to stay on, but he had already been offered a job. Having seen an advertisement for staff required at Jensen Motors Ltd, Taylor went for an interview and was offered a position as a trainee in the trimming shop. In April 1955, he started work at Jensen Motors, his first job being to make his own toolkit. Under the watchful eye of Trimmer Dennis Price, Taylor slowly learnt the trade of trimming. He stayed at Jensen Motors until 1967 and then handed in his notice. Having bought a small truck, Taylor started out on his own, but eventually went back to the trimming trade. He later regretted leaving Jensen Motors, having found the company a delight to work for. Everyone was friendly, and on one occasion, he even found his bosses were quite amicable to him rebuilding one of his motorbikes at the factory – obviously as long as he did it outside work hours. Taylor bought his first second-hand Jensen, a CV8, in the 1970s, and later purchased a 541 and an FF.

CHRISSIE WARD – TRIM SHOP

Ward was working in the Trim Shop around 1974. Start / finish dates not known. Not thought to be a relation to Eric Ward.

ERIC WARD – TRIMMER

Ward joined Jensen Motors in 1951 working in the Carter’s Green trim shop. After moving to Kelvin Way, Ward spent some time making hoods for the Helaey 3000. Although a trimmer, while working on hoods he would have been situated in sub-assembly for the 3000, rather than working in the Trim Shop. Ward remained with Jensen Motors until 1976. During the 1970s, Ward’s son, Mathew, obtained an apprenticeship at Jensen Motors, and worked under John Page in the Service Department. After the collapse of Jensen Motors, Eric Ward moved over to Jensen Parts & Service. During the time with JP & S, Ward was the main trimmer, along with Gilbert Hughes. He left the company after the demise of Jensen Cars Ltd, but carried on trimming Jensen cars on a private basis.

SUSAN PAULINE WILLIAMS – SEWING MACHINIST

Working at Kelvin Way from 1963. She married Jensen employee, Clive Kendrick in 1971.

JEFF WILLIAMS – TRIMMER

Former employee, Clive Kendrick, believes that Williams worked in the Trim Shop, and sometimes on the track. Kendrick states Williams came from Austin in or around 1972, and remained at Jensen until 1976.

CLIFF WRIGHT – TRIMMER

Wright was working as a trimmer at the Carter’s Green factory. Starting & finish date not known.

L.WRIGHT – TRIM SHOP

An L.Wright is shown as one of the 49 attendees at Gilbert Hughes Memorial in 2003. He is shown on the list as working in the Trim Shop.

PERCY (SURNAME NOT KNOWN) – TRIMMER

Clive Kendrick, former assembly line finisher at Jensen Motors, remembers Percy, and recognised him from the photograph. Unfortunately, he never knew Percy’s surname.

 

Jensen Motors Trim Shop Employees A-Z

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: Former Finisher, Clive Kendrick (Jensen Motors 1963 – 1976).

REQUEST: The Museum would be very interested to hear from any former employees attached to the Jensen Motors trim shop. In particular we are trying to identify the following Trim Shop staff. The photograph in the centre may also be of Percy (surname not known).

 

 

 

 

 

COPYRIGHTS: The Jensen Museum.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: If you have any additional information, please contact us at archive@jensenmuseum.org or telephone on: +1694-781354

 

We hope you have enjoyed this feature.

If you would like notification of when new features are added to the Museum website, then why not subscribe.

It’s free, and takes just a couple of minutes. Simply press the Subscribe to our mailing list link below.

Subscribe to newsletter