Steering/Brakes/Suspension Engineer in Staffordshire

[DamianH]

O Learned Denizens,

I'd like to pick your brains from time to time.

I don't have an E-Type, but (like many) I am fascinated by them. As well as the aesthetic, my fascination becomes somewhat technical, too.

I am what some people call a "chassis" engineer, what some people call a "vehicle dynamics" engineer and what some people call a steering, brakes, and suspension engineer. Whatever you call me, I'm 35 years into a career steeped in making cars steer and stop better. It's someone else's problem how they go, and someone else's problem if you can get in and out of them. I keep the wheels on. I'm a bona fide Chartered Engineer, not someone who has casually adopted the word.



Among other things I make computer models of cars - more specifically of their behaviour. I use the legacy of Sir Isaac Newton and of Katherine Johnson to predict forces and motions of cars doing interesting and uninteresting things. So of course I am interested in E-Types. What's not to like? Close-coupled independent suspension all round, great weight distribution, impeccable balance and those pioneering disc brakes.

And now, for a variety of reasons I find myself combining the two things to put together a computer model of an E-Type. There are various aspects I'd like to gently clarify from time to time with the knowledgeable members of the forum, if you will indulge me.

I'll see you in there!

[Gfhug]

Sixty plus years ago the design of steering and suspension was way different to modern methods as I’m sure you’ll know and appreciate.

One of the best sources of information of how Jaguar went about setting up their cars is to read the excellent book “Norman Dewis of Jaguar”. Not inexpensive but really tells you how the racing cars (C and D Types) which were the forerunners of the E Type were tested repeatedly to get a proper handling car. That testing lead to not only the ahead of its time E Type but also all the other Jaguars of the era.

The 1960s/70s XJ6 and XJ12 were often described by the motoring press as having the best handling of all saloons, much better than the Rolls or Bentleys for comfort with sports car steering performance. All down to Norman Dewis and the engineers at Jaguar.

Buy it and read it, you’ll learn lots and get to know the cars and the man behind how well they performed.

Geoff

[DamianH]

I'm an avid student of history and I appreciate the pointer.

[DamianH]

Sixty plus years ago the design of steering and suspension was way different to modern methods as I’m sure you’ll know and appreciate.

It's not so different to today. Springs are springs, humans are humans, welding is welding. The biggest difference is that the early prototypes are all in the computer, so we don't build mules like E1A any more. The first cars are an honest best guess at the final design, but are still subject to lengthy development using the "try it, break it, fix it" method. The computer can only answer the questions you know to ask it, and that you know how to ask it.

One of the best sources of information of how Jaguar went about setting up their cars is to read the excellent book “Norman Dewis of Jaguar”. Not inexpensive but really tells you how the racing cars (C and D Types) which were the forerunners of the E Type were tested repeatedly to get a proper handling car.

Buy it and read it, you’ll learn lots and get to know the cars and the man behind how well they performed.

I've bought it and am reading it now. I'm impressed with the meticulous recall that's well documented. The thorough but rapid development process that wouldn't be out of place today reminds me a great deal of my experience in World Rally.

Drivers who can observe accurately and helm the development direction are still in strong demand (and they still exist). Mike Cross at Jaguar and Marcus Hofbauer at Porsche/AMG are two recent examples I've met and admire.

Newer cars also have a digital layer on top of the raw physics, with systems such as ABS controlled by software. The best developers of these systems live between their laptops and the driver's seat.

What did take a long time to get over was the "them and us" approach which divided companies for a long time. The ability (or inability) of people to work together is what sorts the wheat from the chaff, organisationally. Perhaps nationally, too.