Читать книгу Aston Martin Engine Development: 1984-2000 - Arthur Wilson L. - Страница 7

Iwas very honoured when Arthur asked me to write a forward for his book. We are both engineers at heart, and had very similar introductions to life inside Aston Martin. In my case I joined Aston in 1964, in a position as a fitter in the Experimental Department. It was an excellent time to join Aston, as the Experimental Department was just being transferred to Newport Pagnell and the existing staff didn’t want to leave London! Initially we commuted up to Feltham daily, usually in the ‘Brown Bomber’, a rare early Aston fitted with an estate body and a DB4 engine!

Once settled in the three-storey building at Newport Pagnell, I was fortunate to be handed the build of the first V8 and continued to be involved with the V8 until I left Aston, so as you can imagine I have great affection for it! I continued to be fortunate to rise within Aston Martin, to engineer and eventually chief development engineer. As you might expect there were many high and low points during this period. Some of the memorable ones are developing and supporting the Lola Aston Martin at Le Mans in 1967. While unsuccessful at Le Mans, the exercise resulted in a major redesign and the very strong V8 engine that went into production.

During the early 1970s, I had been promoted to senior development engineer and I needed someone to replace my hands-on work and Arthur was the perfect choice. He was working his magic on the production cars at the end of the line and I needed those skills in engineering. I was soon to realise that I had a genius on my team.

Arthur’s skill and enthusiasm is very rare, he has a great love of cars and of engines in particular, as you will discover while reading his book. While Arthur mainly worked on engine projects, the Bosch Injection systems and subsequent carburettor versions, this was Aston Martin and you had to be flexible! Arthur would be involved in all of the many projects – from driving emission durability cars and riding shotgun in the Bulldog to running all manner of engines on the dynamometer. Whatever Arthur was involved in he gave it 100 per cent and his attention to detail was always impressive. Arthur’s restored cars are perfect examples of his exceptional abilities and his eye for detail, they are all absolutely immaculate.

Among the lighter moments were the trips to Le Mans to support the V8 engines in the various chassis – the long 24-hour vigilance; the hectic pit stops to identify misfired and block off injectors on the non-firing cylinders but still managing to get the car home in a well-earned seventh place; the ‘if onlys’, like when a clutch cylinder leak lost one of the cars a top five finish. We had some happy times too!

While Aston Martin has been well documented over the years, this book gives you a unique detailed inside look into a period of Aston’s history from a person who was a part of actually making it happen.

I write this foreword in the grateful appreciation of Arthur’s friendship and help to me over very many years. I’m full of admiration at the abilities he so clearly demonstrated in the Aston Martin 32 valve Vantage that he created.

David Morgan.

Formerly Chief development engineer, Aston Martin.

(1964-1981) Tickford, Engineering Ltd.

Director of Engines (1981–2002).