Charles Spencer King
Encyclopedia
Charles Spencer “Spen” King (26 March 1925 – 26 June 2010) was a significant figure in the Rover Company and, after their takeover, in the British Leyland Motor Corporation
.
After leaving school in 1942, he was first apprenticed to Rolls-Royce
. He joined Rover, run by his uncles Maurice
and Spencer Wilks, in 1945 and worked initially on the gas-turbine powered JET1 and T3 experimental prototypes. In 1959 he became chief engineer of new vehicle projects and is best known for his leadership of the teams that developed the advanced Rover P6 series
, introduced as the 2000 in 1963, and the hugely successful Range Rover
(of which a “CSK” special edition later celebrated his involvement) launched in June, 1970. As well, he was responsible for the Rover-based Marauder
sports car in 1950 and many Rover experimental and prototype vehicles.
As Rover was taken over by the Leyland Motor Corporation which subsequently became British Leyland (BL), he also led teams responsible for the Triumph TR6
, Triumph Stag
and Triumph TR7
models as well as the innovative design of the 16-valve cylinder head used on the Triumph Dolomite Sprint
. Several other BL Group models were developed under his leadership but during a chaotic time for the British motor industry, King was frequently frustrated by the design compromises imposed by lack of adequate funding, and the poor quality of vehicles produced by an uncooperative workforce in the diverse and mainly outdated plants owned by the company.
While chairman of BL Technology from 1979 he was responsible for developing a series of light, aerodynamic and technically advanced ECV (Energy Conservation Vehicle) experimental models, features of which were incorporated into later BL Group products such as the Rover K-series engine
, or adopted by other manufacturers.
Spen King retired from the company in 1985.
In 2004, he criticised SUV owners who drive their vehicles in urban areas, saying that vehicles like the Range Rover
he created were "never intended as a status symbol but later incarnations of my design seem to be intended for that purpose."
Spen King and his former Rover colleague Arthur Goddard extensively shared many of their views on the motor industry in 2010. The transcript of their discussion was published in the book 'They Found Our Engineer' in 2011.
It was announced on 28 June 2010 that King had died on 26 June after suffering complications following a cycling accident.
British Leyland Motor Corporation
British Leyland was a vehicle manufacturing company formed in the United Kingdom in 1968 as British Leyland Motor Corporation Ltd . It was partly nationalised in 1975 with the government creating a new holding company called British Leyland Ltd which became BL Ltd in 1978...
.
After leaving school in 1942, he was first apprenticed to Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce Limited
Rolls-Royce Limited was a renowned British car and, from 1914 on, aero-engine manufacturing company founded by Charles Stewart Rolls and Henry Royce on 15 March 1906 as the result of a partnership formed in 1904....
. He joined Rover, run by his uncles Maurice
Maurice Wilks
Maurice Cary Ferdinand Wilks was an automotive and aeronautical engineer, and by the time of his death in 1963, was the chairman of the Rover Company, a British car manufacturer...
and Spencer Wilks, in 1945 and worked initially on the gas-turbine powered JET1 and T3 experimental prototypes. In 1959 he became chief engineer of new vehicle projects and is best known for his leadership of the teams that developed the advanced Rover P6 series
Rover P6
The first P6 used a 2.0 L engine designed specifically for the P6. Although it was announced towards the end of 1963, the car had been in "pilot production" since the beginning of the year, therefore deliveries were able to begin immediately. Original output was in the order of . At the...
, introduced as the 2000 in 1963, and the hugely successful Range Rover
Range Rover
The Range Rover is a large luxury four-wheel drive sport utility vehicle produced by British car maker Land Rover. The model, launched in 1970, is now in its third generation...
(of which a “CSK” special edition later celebrated his involvement) launched in June, 1970. As well, he was responsible for the Rover-based Marauder
Marauder Cars
thumb|right|270px|1951 Marauder TourerMarauder Cars was a British car company founded by Rover engineers George Mackie and Peter Wilks. Peter Wilks and George Mackie left the Rover Company in 1950 to form Wilks, Mackie and Company to exploit their idea of a two-seater sports car based on the new...
sports car in 1950 and many Rover experimental and prototype vehicles.
As Rover was taken over by the Leyland Motor Corporation which subsequently became British Leyland (BL), he also led teams responsible for the Triumph TR6
Triumph TR6
The Triumph TR6 is a British six-cylinder sports car and the best-seller of the TR range built by Triumph when production ended in July 1976. This record was then surpassed by the TR7...
, Triumph Stag
Triumph Stag
The Triumph Stag is a British car that was sold between 1970 and 1978 by the Triumph Motor Company, styled by the Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti.-Design and styling:...
and Triumph TR7
Triumph TR7
The Triumph TR7 is a sports car manufactured from September 1974 to October 1981 by the Triumph Motor Company in the United Kingdom. It was initially produced at the Speke, Liverpool factory, moving to Canley, Coventry in 1978 and then finally to the Rover plant in Solihull in 1980...
models as well as the innovative design of the 16-valve cylinder head used on the Triumph Dolomite Sprint
Triumph Dolomite
The Triumph Dolomite was a popular small saloon car produced by the Triumph Motor Company division of the British Leyland Corporation in Canley, Coventry between October 1972 and August 1980.-History:...
. Several other BL Group models were developed under his leadership but during a chaotic time for the British motor industry, King was frequently frustrated by the design compromises imposed by lack of adequate funding, and the poor quality of vehicles produced by an uncooperative workforce in the diverse and mainly outdated plants owned by the company.
While chairman of BL Technology from 1979 he was responsible for developing a series of light, aerodynamic and technically advanced ECV (Energy Conservation Vehicle) experimental models, features of which were incorporated into later BL Group products such as the Rover K-series engine
Rover K engine
The K-Series engine is a series of engines built by Powertrain Ltd, a sister company of MG Rover. The engine was built in two forms: a straight-four cylinder, available with SOHC and DOHC, ranging from 1.1 L to 1.8 L; and the KV6 V6 variation....
, or adopted by other manufacturers.
Spen King retired from the company in 1985.
In 2004, he criticised SUV owners who drive their vehicles in urban areas, saying that vehicles like the Range Rover
Range Rover
The Range Rover is a large luxury four-wheel drive sport utility vehicle produced by British car maker Land Rover. The model, launched in 1970, is now in its third generation...
he created were "never intended as a status symbol but later incarnations of my design seem to be intended for that purpose."
Spen King and his former Rover colleague Arthur Goddard extensively shared many of their views on the motor industry in 2010. The transcript of their discussion was published in the book 'They Found Our Engineer' in 2011.
It was announced on 28 June 2010 that King had died on 26 June after suffering complications following a cycling accident.