Harry Webster | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 27, 1917 Coventry, England |
| Died | February 6, 2007 (aged 89) Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England |
Henry George Webster, CBE (27 May 1917 – 6 February 2007) was a British automotive engineer. He is best known for his work at the Triumph Motor Company throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
Early years edit
Harry Webster was born in Coventry in 1917, and educated at Welshpool County School and Coventry Technical College.[1]
At 15 years of age, he left the college to join the Standard Motor Company in 1932 as an apprentice, remaining there until 1938.[2] During this time he was at one point named "Apprentice of the Year".[3]
From 1940 and 1946 he served as deputy chief inspector in Standard's aircraft engineering operation during World War II (WWII).[4][5][6]
Career edit
After the war, Webster returned to the car chassis design department in Coventry in 1945.[4]
"Standard Motor Company 1932-38, assistant technical engineer 1946-48, chief chassis engineer 1949-55, chief engineer 1955-57; director of engineering, Standard-Triumph International 1957-68; technical director, Austin Morris Division, British Leyland Motor Corporation 1969-74; CBE 1974; group technical director, Automotive Products 1974-82."[2]
Following Standard's acquisition of the Triumph Motor Company in 1946, Webster's design and chassis engineering abilities helped to revive the Triumph marque through the 1950s. In 1957 Webster became Triumph's director of engineering, and in 1967 he was appointed chief executive engineer at Leyland Motors, which had by then acquired Standard-Triumph. In 1968, following the merger of British Motor Holdings and Leyland Motors to form British Leyland Motor Corporation (BLMC) he succeeded Alec Issigonis as the Austin-Morris division's technical director.
Webster worked on Triumph's TR series of sports cars, which included the TR2, TR3, TR4, and TR5, and brought in Italian stylist Giovanni Michelotti to work with him on the TR4, Herald, Vitesse, Spitfire, 2000, and Stag.[2][5]
Developed the Triumph Puma saloon and Triumph Lynx fastback coupé. https://www.aronline.co.uk/concepts-and-prototypes/triumph-puma/
The same year, after resigning from BLMC, he joined Leamington Spa-based brake and clutch manufacturer Automotive Products as group technical director. He retired from Automotive Products in 1982.[7] He subsequently served as chairman of SKF Steel UK for five more years.[4]
Leaves British Leyland.[7]
At Austin-Morris, Webster first oversaw a re-design of the Maxi, led development of the Marina and the Allegro. Other models??? [7]
Dual clutch transmission.[8][9][10]
Became close friends with Michelotti.[6] https://www.capetriumph.za.org/images/triumph/Newsletters/2021/July_newsletter_2021.pdf received hand-painted Christmas cards. https://www.stag.org.uk/the-car/harry-webster-spen-king/
Aerodinamica https://www.aronline.co.uk/facts-and-figures/carrozzeria-designs/blog-mystery-pininfarina-mini/ https://porschecarshistory.com/wp-content/old/lib/magazines/AI/2022/AutoItalia%20May%202022.pdf
Personal life edit
Webster had several siblings in his family. (memorial comments)
In 1942, Webster married Margaret Alice "Peggy" Sharp.[5]
In the 1950s, Webster and family moved to Kenilworth, where he remained until his death in 2007.
Old School House, Barrowfield Lane, Kenilworth. http://www.triumphworks.co.uk/harry-webster-cbe/
Predeceased by wife Peggy, and daughter Jean.[11]
Honours edit
In 1974 Webster was appointed Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his contribution to the British motor industry.
The Standard-Triumph Forum established the Harry Webster award to commemorate Webster's life and many contributions to Standard-Triumph cars during his career.[12]
Webster endowed an annual Triumph Apprentice Reunion dinner.[13]
When Triumph's former factory at Coventry was demolished, Webster was invited to unveil the memorial plaque that marks the location.[6][14]
References edit
- ^ "We are greedy people — in business to make money: Harry Webster, executive chief engineer, Austin-Morris Division in conversation with Charles Bulmer and Anthony Curtis". The Motor. Vol. nbr 3502. 2 August 1969. pp. 34–40.
- ^ a b c Chapman, Giles (17 February 2007). "Harry Webster: Designer of the Triumph Herald". The Independent.
- ^ Robson, Graham (2019). "Harry Webster — My Technical Mentor". Moss Motoring. No. 2. Moss Motors.
- ^ a b c "Harry Webster". The Daily Telegraph. 9 February 2007. Archived from the original on 11 March 2007.
- ^ a b c "Harry Webster". The Times. London. 12 February 2007.
- ^ a b c Adolphus, David Traver (23 September 2018). "Henry George Webster". www.hemmings.com.
- ^ a b c Adams, Keith (13 June 1974). "Archive : Webster Goes". www.aronline.co.uk.
- ^ Farquharson, Gordon, ed. (June 2018). "2. Automatic versus Manual transmission" (PDF). GAM Newsletter. Guildford & District Group of Advanced Motorists. p. 15.
- ^ Webster, Harry (1 February 1981). "A Fully Automatic Vehicle Transmission Using a Layshaft Type Gearbox". SAE Technical Paper Series. doi:10.4271/810104. ISSN 0148-7191.
- ^ Kingston, Lewis (12 March 2018). "PH Origins: Dual-clutch transmissions". www.pistonheads.com.
- ^ "Car designer Harry Webster dies". The Courier. Leamington Spa. 15 February 2007. Archived from the original on 14 April 2017.
- ^ "The Harry Webster Award". www.standard-triumph.org.
- ^ "Triumph Apprentice Reunion Dinner March 2016". www.revingtontr.com.
- ^ Piggott, Bill (1 September 2000). "A Very Special Day". mossmotoring.com.
Further reading edit
Related links edit
- Kumboloi/sandbox/Harry Webster at Find a Grave
- Robson, Graham (12 February 2007). "Harry Webster". Standard Motor Club. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
Category:Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
Category:1917 births
Category:2007 deaths
Category:British automotive engineers
 | This automobile biographical article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |