The Viking and the Samurai wins 2024 Michael Sedgwick Award

Published: 20/11/2024

The 2024 Michael Sedgwick Award has been presented to The Viking and The Samurai - The inside story of the collaboration between British Leyland / Rover and Honda by John Bacchus. This first-hand account of the Anglo-Japanese ventures was considered a worthy winner.

The Michael Sedgwick Award is decided by a panel of judges drawn from and organised by the Society of Automotive Historians in Britain (SAHB) and the winner receives a trophy and a cheque for £250. It was presented at the Autumn Seminar of the SAHB.

For the last 13 years, the Michael Sedgwick Memorial Trust has awarded a prize for the best motoring book published in the year prior to the 30th June.

John Bacchus, now aged 87, retired from the position of Director, Honda Collaboration, Rover Group in 1995 having spent the previous 25 years working for the Group and its predecessor companies. A dedicated car man, he worked for Ford and Chrysler before joining the newly-hatched BLMC in 1969.

In a company notorious for what he calls ‘Management by upheaval’, his own record of continuous service at a senior level is probably unmatched, reflecting the pivotal role that he played in making a complex and difficult ‘marriage’ work far better than many people thought was possible.

Internal conflicts and dilemmas are discussed, while the mutual respect which developed between John and his Japanese counterparts is obvious throughout. The products resulting from the collaboration are also described, including their reception in the marketplace.

This account was written in 1996 when events were fresh in the author’s mind, but it was never published.

Thirty years on from the BMW takeover, its historical importance has grown. It is now time to share this fascinating story with everyone who has an interest in the history of the British automotive industry. The production of this book is itself a collaboration by ex-employees and John’s friends.

At the request of the Bacchus family, all profits from the sales of this book will be donated to Dementia Research UK, a grant-making charity, raising funds for research projects across the dementia community in all regions of the UK. It provides grants to national research bodies based at universities and hospitals and to regional centres delivering services and support directly to those suffering with dementia. Its website gives more details of their important contributions in this field - https://demruk.org/

The Viking and The Samurai is published by The Rover 200 and 400 Club and is available at £15 plus post & packing at https://rover200.org.uk/shop