Great Automotive Lives

You will probably certainly know the name of Henry Royce, but how much do you know about his life? He suffered a terribly deprived childhood and numerous early setbacks in his career. Despite this and his terribly frail health he went on to forge a legacy like few, if any, others in the automotive world. This inaugural season of Great Automotive Lives started with Charles Rolls and so it should, a...

Welcome to the second Great Automotive Lives - In Brief episode. Sir David Brown was a suave, impeccably turned out business man but he knew a thing or two about cars. After the Second World War he answered a mysterious advert in the Times and here would start his Aston Martin adventure. Join me in a brief trot through the Great Automotive Life - In Brief which is David Brown. This podcast is rese...

William Lyons is a towering automotive figure and, seemingly, an eminently decent fellow to boot. From modest beginnings, this Blackpool lad forged a legacy that few can claim to match. What was his secret? God knows, but, this podcast may provide a few clues as to how this reticent, even somewhat shy, northerner transformed himself from Bill Lyons to Mr Jaguar. It's well worth a listen.......but...

Welcome to the first of my condensed Great Automotive Lives - In Brief. These are potted versions of great automotive lives for, likely, no other reason than the scarcity of reliable research material. Despite this, a truncated form like this, still allows me to share the lives of some lesser written about automotive heroes of mine. There is no better inaugural subject than Malcolm Sayer, in my op...

Max Hoffman was the world's first, and probably last, of the great automotive importers, bringing at least 21 European marques to the vast North American post-war car market. His influence went much deeper than that, however, successfully influencing the creation of some true landmark models. He was a controversial character, however, with ruthless methods bordering on the deeply troubling. I'd be...

André Citroën was a soldier, a visionary, a prolific gambler and a staunch advocate for workers rights and welfare. Possibly above all he was the father of automotive marketing and promotion, bar none. A life irrevocably interwoven with the modern history of Paris and more archetypically French than a croissant. I like him. I like him a lot. I hope you will too. The disappointingly small number of...

Hands up those that know of Major Ivan Hirst.......... As I thought. Not that many compared to some of the household automotive names covered thus far in Great Automotive Lives. Ivan Hirst was a bone fide war hero turned automotive saviour whose war stories could probably trump those of your average Major in the REME. If you love your classic Volkswagens, or even if you don't, this is a story you...

For episode five of Great Automotive Lives we have our first somewhat contentious subject - William Morris Viscount Nuffield. By the end of the episode I hope you will agree about the breadth and depth of Morris's automotive legacy. What about his darker side, however? Let me know what you think. podcast@classiccarguy.co.uk As promised here follow the links referred to during this episode: Morris’...

By the time Herbert Austin founded his eponymous car company and bought the Longbridge Works in Birmingham he was already well known. With a life long passion for drawing and an unorthodox approach to business, Herbert Austin lived a fascinating great automotive life. Here are the links referred to in the episode.......and one that isn't.......... Herbert and Helen’s last resting place: https://en...

Episode 3 of Great Automotive Lives travels to Italy to inject a little Mediterranean heat and passion into proceedings. Like all our lives so far, Ferruccio Lamborghini achieved a great deal in a relatively short time with plenty of twists and turn on the way. Huge apologies are preemptively made to any Italian speakers listening. Some of the pronunciations you will encounter will likely make you...

Donald Healey was a proud Cornishman, pilot, racer and ultimately worldwide automotive icon. From humble origins Healey lived a long, eventful and celebrated life. Join me to find out what made the man tick and about some of the key business milestones that peppered his life. The following links are referenced in the "Footsteps....." section of the podcast. Enjoy! Healey’s childhood home and now s...

In this inaugural episode of Great Automotive Lives , I explore the extraordinary life, legacy and legend of Charles Rolls , the pioneering British engineer, aviator, and co-founder of the legendary Rolls-Royce Motor Cars . Discover how Rolls' passion for automobiles and aviation helped shape the luxury car industry and revolutionise transportation in the early 20th century. I delve into his g...