A Life in Car Design - Jaguar, Lotus, TVR

Description

A Life in Car Design gives a unique insight into design and project work for a number of leading companies in the motor industry, including Jaguar, Lotus, TVR and General Motors.The book recounts the author's experiences from within the industry, tracing the changes in the design process over a period of nearly 50 years, and follows his career at home and around the world. It shows how the change from imperial to metric measurements and the growing use of computers revolutionised the quality and accuracy of modern vehicles. It also covers the issues and challenges of meeting project targets, and some of the issues that can deflect those efforts. It features previously untold stories, and is thoughtfully illustrated with historical engineering drawings and photographs.As well as informing automobile enthusiasts it is also hoped that this book will inspire upcoming generations to consider a career in the creative field.

Oliver spent his whole career designing cars, and, for a short period, boats. He started his working life as an engineering apprentice at Jaguar Cars before spending a further five years there as a staff designer. In 1971 he joined Lotus Cars as the Design Manager. He was responsible for the styling, body engineering and aerodynamics of their vehicles until 1975 when he transferred to Colin Chapman's luxury boat company.A short period of self employment saw the start of the TVR Tasmin range of sports cars. He then moved north to join the company through to the launch of the Tasmin Convertible and 2 + 2. In 1980 he returned to Lotus to lead the joint sports car project with Lotus and Toyota. After the completion of a prototype running vehicle he left for a short period in Detroit, USA.Working for General Motors he was a project manager on two low volume vehicles for them. Returning to the UK he rejoined Lotus where he held a number of senior management positions in engineering and vehicle safety work. He resigned in 1998 and set up a consultancy, Norfolk Automotive Limited. His clients included a number of companies in China until he retired in 2009.Throughout his career he maintained a "hands on" approach to both the design and the development of a wide range of products.

[This] book covers the life of one of the key designers who also moved onto Lotus and TVR amongst others, and who designed some of their most regaled models. I loved if for its Jaguar content alone. All of those stories and rumours finally come to life in this excellent book.- Jaguar Magazine; Great value, as this is really two books in one, and all the better for it. Oliver Winterbottom has, in just 176 pages, combined a rattling good story. Humorous anecdotes alone make this a must have book.- Retro-Speed; The value of reading the history of the cars from someone who was actually there cannot be understated. "A Life In Car Design" by Oliver Winterbottom is an exceptional book that is lavishly illustrated, very well written informative,This fascinating book allows us to peek behind the scenes during the gestation of some familiar models at the heart of the motor industry and to experience some of the thrills and spills along the way in getting an idea through to production. It often seems like a miracle that anything actually makes it. But one thing is for sure- Winterbottoms varied auto career was never dull. A fascinating read. entertaining and at times, laugh out loud funny!- TR Driver.- Big End. Oliver Winterbottom is a name that deserves to be better known, and this enjoyable autobiography shows why. His insight into life in these smaller UK companies is fascinating- full of anecdotes, and addressing real-life problems about body materials and shapes, the introduction of computer-aided design, packing, and power trains. All in all, this well-written 176-page book is a delight!- Classic Driver (Monthly). Ok, so before now you thought that styling a new car was all about peaceful, artistic surroundings, sunshine through the windows, and a designers freedom to produce a new shape or theme? Oliver Winterbottom, of all people, should be ready and able to tell us more- and has he? Wrong- for often such work would be frustrated by budget problems, authoritarian management, and company politics, not to say interference from bosses who though they knew better- but didn't. This, for sure, is the recurring theme of Oliver Winterbottom's record of his forty year involvement in the world's largest styling houses. There is much to learn from this candid and often rather bitter-tasting life story. To make it clear, this is not a book which sets out to show a reader how to design cars for themselves- but it does give object lessons on how to survive in what could be a cruel industry. Winter bottom tells it well, and deserves to have a well-thought-of reputation in the industry to which he contributed so much.- Graham Robson. Th author worked for the motor industry for almost 50 years, beginning his apprenticeship with jaguar in 1961, the Lotus, TVR, and General Motors, ending as a consultant in China. This memoir gives a unique perspective on the creative design processes in the industry, charting major changes such as moving from Imperial to metric measurements, the rise of computers in design projects and the challenges of deadlines and design problems. Working with people such as Colin Chapman and Giogetto Guigiaro, the author hopes that his story will inspire future generations to enter this highly evolving industry. Many historical engineering illustrations and photographs are included. - Jerrold Bookshop. An interesting look into the world of car design and the dysfunctional British motor industry. Responsible for cars like the Lotus Eclat and TVR Tasmin, Winterbottom is in a position to provide insight on both fronts, and does so through an interesting series of stories. Lots of photos of cars from drawing to concept to production. - Auto Express.