Date:
Topic:
Format:
Synopsis:
This article describes the early use of computers to solve engineering problems within the Rover Engineering Research Department at Solihull and covers the period from when I joined the company in 1964 through to the mid-1970s when the Technical Computing Section was absorbed into a wider systems department, and dispersed within what had by then become BL Cars.
20th August 2025
Early Technical Computing at Rover Solihull
Memory Article
Source:
Roger Mills
AT&T ISTEL Ltd History
Date:
Topic:
Format:
Synopsis:
Scott Parker found these tickets in a scrapbook while moving house, remarking "Incredible the stuff you keep. I’m sure others must have gone to this event, we must have thought it was very posh at the time. 1987, seems like yesterday.".
19th August 2025
The Social Side Of ISTEL
Facebook Memory
Source:
Scott Parker
AT&T ISTEL Ltd History
Date:
Topic:
Format:
Synopsis:
Keith Adams is a very well respected motoring Historian and journalist. He created www.austin-rover.co.uk in 2001 and built it up to become the world's foremost reference source for all things BMC, Leyland and Rover Group, before renaming it AROnline in 2007.
Recently we introduced him to the story of ISTEL and its place in British Automotive Industry and he is now supporting our project by writing and publishing stories based upon ISTEL stories we relay to him.
Recently we introduced him to the story of ISTEL and its place in British Automotive Industry and he is now supporting our project by writing and publishing stories based upon ISTEL stories we relay to him.
21st July 2025
AROnline Web Site
Associated Site Link
Source:
Keith Adams
Date:
Topic:
Format:
Synopsis:
Three memories posted on facebook, and transcribe onto this site for all to read.
two from Rogan Meadows and one from Brian Johnson.
Also included is some feedback from facebook to these posts.
two from Rogan Meadows and one from Brian Johnson.
Also included is some feedback from facebook to these posts.
9th September 2025
More Memories of the early days of computers at BL/AR
Memory Articles
Source:
Rogan Meadows & Brian Johnson
Date:
Topic:
Format:
Synopsis:
One of the AROnline readers (bless you, BasiLR88) casually suggested the idea of British Leyland – The Musical. Now, I don’t know about you, but once that seed was planted I couldn’t stop watering it. So without further ado, here’s today’s light-hearted escape: British Leyland – The Musical.
10th September 2025
British Leyland - The Musical
"News" Article
Source:
Keith Adams - AROline
Date:
Topic:
Format:
Synopsis:
Rogan Meadows remembers when the new the Princess model was due to be introduced and assembled in the North Works assembly building they also wanted an Assembly line broadcast system.
12th September 2025
Early Assembly Line Broadcasting Systems
Memory Article
Source:
Rogan Meadows
Date:
Topic:
Format:
Synopsis:
An examples of ISTEL's work at the "end" of the Automotive Industry.
12th September 2025
Forecourt Planning
Real Times Article
Source:
Real Times Issue 67 April 1988
Date:
Topic:
Format:
Synopsis:
Behind the smooth launches of Discovery and Range Rover in the 1980s and ’90s was a team you’ve probably never heard of. ISTEL’s IT systems kept Solihull running, proving that back-office innovation was every bit as vital as engineering flair.
Another "ISTEL" story from the pen of Keith Adams
Another "ISTEL" story from the pen of Keith Adams
12th September 2025
How ISTEL Powered Land Rover’s Modernisation
"News" Article
Source:
Keith Adams - AROline
Date:
Topic:
Format:
Synopsis:
In the early 1980s, as BL fought for survival, the world focused on finances, unrest and faltering product lines, Within BL the IT department was preparing the company for a future few inside or outside the organisation realised was coming
Another "ISTEL" story from the pen of Keith Adams
Another "ISTEL" story from the pen of Keith Adams
23rd November 2025
Maestro production – how BL Systems brought Cowley into the digital era
"News" Article
Source:
Keith Adams - AROline
Date:
Topic:
Format:
Synopsis:
We've added a new section to the web site where we plan the progress of getting the ISTEL Archives fully integrated with the museums vast archive of automotive data.
Data, information and photos will be added to this section as the project progresses.
Data, information and photos will be added to this section as the project progresses.
23rd November 2025
ISTEL at the British Motor Museum
New Web section
Source:
Remembering ISTEL Project
Date:
Topic:
Format:
Synopsis:
In 1976 I joined a systems team being formed to implement a computer system to monitor activity in Swindon’s press shops
These are my memories of that project.
These are my memories of that project.
23rd December 2025
Swindon Press Shop Monitoring
New Memory
Source:
Rogan Meadows Memory
Date:
Topic:
Format:
Synopsis:
We completed our first volunteering session at the Archives of the British Motor Museum at Gaydon today. This report outline our thoughts about the day.
Further reports on the progress of integrating the ISTEL Archives into the BMM Archives will follow as progress is made.
Further reports on the progress of integrating the ISTEL Archives into the BMM Archives will follow as progress is made.
23rd December 2025
Volunteering at the British Motor Museum
News Report
Source:
Derek Coombes & Dave Handley
Date:
Topic:
Format:
Synopsis:
Today Dave and I delivered the ISTEL Artefacts to the Archives at the British Motor Museum in Gaydon.
We are now waiting for personnel changes in the Archives team before we can help assimulated them onto their archive management system
We are now waiting for personnel changes in the Archives team before we can help assimulated them onto their archive management system
23rd May 2025
ISTEL Archives Donated to the British Motor Museum
Facebook Post
Source:
The British Motor Museum News Blog
Date:
Topic:
Format:
Synopsis:
It was 1975 when he transferred from Austin/Morris to Rover/Triumph Rogan became a member of the Systems Department at the Solihull Rover plant.
His role at Solihull was to take over a team that had designed the process for receiving unpainted car bodies, storing them and selecting them for entry into the paint process.
His role at Solihull was to take over a team that had designed the process for receiving unpainted car bodies, storing them and selecting them for entry into the paint process.
31st December 2025
Lode Lane, Solihull 1975-1976
New Memory
Source:
Rogan Meadows Memory
Date:
Topic:
Format:
Synopsis:
A second day at the British Motor Museums Archives in Gaydon preparing the ISTEL artefacts for storage in their Archives.
Good progress, lots still to do but a great groups of people to work with.
Good progress, lots still to do but a great groups of people to work with.
12th January 2026
Another Day At The Office Securing ISTL's Future
News Report
Source:
Derek Coombes & Dave Handley