Downton Engineering Works Ltd. was in the 1960s one of the top tuners for Austin and Morris Mini's. The cars on the circuits were unbeatable. The company, a company that was involved in agriculture and garage work. Repairs of plows, tractors and such, was bought in 1947 by Daniel and his wife Bunty Richmond. Daniel Richmond was already involved in motor sport at that time.
The noble brands Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Bugatti enjoyed his preference. When the BMC A-series engine appeared in the Mini, he saw the light and his racing experience with, among other things, the Lotus 7 BMC and various Formula Junior monopostos, led him to fully devote himself to the Austin and Morris Mini introduced in 1959 . The success also meant that people had to move quickly to a larger workplace. It was newly built at barely 100 meters from the existing location. Soon they had sixty dedicated engineers at work who were all engaged in tuning engines and building race minis. With annual sales of around £ 250.000,00 - astronomical in the early 1960s, especially when you consider that one pound cost more than NLG 11 - thirty percent of sales went abroad. Downton had meanwhile been designated by BMC as the top tuner for their products. In the 1970s, the empire collapsed slowly but surely. Many of the loyal employees left the company. Daniel Richmond could not handle this and got into the drink. In 1974 he left the submarine. Shortly afterwards his wife Bunty committed suicide and the doors were closed. Downton has been active again since the early nineties. The name and all rights were purchased by a smart businessman. However, serious work is no longer being delivered. This mainly concerns memorabilia and parts taken from third parties. That does not mean that the 'old' Downton is still active, at least as a 'friends club'. A meeting is organized a few times a year where former employees meet, former Downton modified BMC products can be seen and stories are exchanged.