John Polwhele Blatchley
Encyclopedia
John Polwhele Blatchley (1 July 1913 – 16 February 2008) was a London-born car designer known for his work with J Gurney Nutting and Rolls-Royce Limited
.
Blatchley married Willow Sands in 1939. The couple had two sons. He died in Hastings, East Sussex 16 February 2008.
, in his spare time sketching designs for cars and building models of them. On his recovery he failed his entrance examinations to Cambridge University and so his parents sent him to The College of Aeronautical and Automobile Engineering in Chelsea and then to the Regent Street Polytechnic. While still a student his ability was recognized by A F McNeil of Gurney Nutting
, then the most fashionable coachbuilders, and they hired him on his graduation in 1935. Within two years McNeil moved to James Young & Co
and Blatchley, just 23, hitherto the preparer of concept drawings for customer approval, took McNeil's position at Gurney Nutting as Chief Designer. A F McNeil was John Blatchley's teacher mentor and friend for many years.
and Spitfire
. He described the work as "intensely boring". Towards the end of the war Car Division had prepared a postwar car which was to have its own factory-supplied bodywork, all-steel so it could be exported all over the world. Blatchley who had moved to the Design office in their Experimental Department in Belper Derbyshire stepped in and refined the new body's design, externally and in its passenger compartment, with great finesse. Its sophisticated collection of harmonising shapes looking almost more 'right' today than when new. This new shape first appeared in 1946 as a Bentley Mk VI. Enlarged with an extended boot and wings it appeared in 1949 as the first Standard Steel Rolls-Royce, Silver Dawn. The matching Bentley, following a few years later, was named Bentley R Type. These postwar cars finally took the top-people's-carriage trade away from Daimler.
Work began on the Corniche II (Bentley Continental) project in 1950. At the end of his life John Blatchley disclaimed any involvement in the final design though admitted to having worked on some initial suggestions. He said it was Ivan Evernden's concept inspired by the 1938 Embiricos Bentley
. Ivan worked with Stanley Watts and George Moseley of HJ Mulliner on the final details.
In Sept 1951 the Styling Office was officially formed as a separate department at the Crewe
works and Blatchley appointed Styling Engineer under Ian Evernden. In 1952 the responsibility for external styling of Park Ward
coachwork was transferred to Crewe. Development of new models continued but the designs presented to the board meeting which would decide on the new model to be introduced in 1955 were rejected as being too modern. In the space of a week Blatchley produced a complete new concept to the board's requirements and it was immediately accepted. This became the Silver Cloud and S Type, the last standard model based on a separate chassis. Blatchley was appointed Chief Stylist in 1955.
The last standard model car he was associated with was the unitary construction Silver Shadow and Bentley T Type. As Chief Stylist of Park Ward he designed what proved to be a short run of half a dozen of their bodies on the Bentley Continental chassis. He is also credited with the design of the Rolls-Royce Corniche announced after his retirement by Mulliner Park Ward in 1971. One of these Corniches remains in current use (2009) as the Imperial Processional Car of the Emperor of Japan.
Before it went into production BMW asked Blatchley his opinion on its new Phantom. He approved. "BMW showed me their possible designs; there was literally only one I thought was any good, and it's the one they've built. I think they've done a marvellous job."
Inevitable changes in management style frustrated Blatchley and he missed his former freedom of action. Though only 55 he had private means and he chose to retire on 21 March 1969 to Hastings East Sussex where he was to enjoy almost 40 years in retirement. He was succeeded at Rolls-Royce by Fritz Feller an Austrian-born engineer.
Of Blatchley's leadership qualities, his deputy Bill Allen recalls "I had only five bosses during my career of 49 years and John was the best. He had that quality of leadership which tends to defy analysis; once I saw this described as 'the art that conceals the art'. Whatever problems he had with those superior in rank to him were never allowed to disturb the even temperament and quiet confidence with which he dealt with us".
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....
.
Career
He began his career as designer with J Gurney Nutting & Co Limited in 1936, moving up to Chief Designer before leaving in 1940 to join Rolls-Royce. He served there as a draughtsman (1940-43), stylist, car division (1943-55), and chief styling engineer (1955-69).Blatchley married Willow Sands in 1939. The couple had two sons. He died in Hastings, East Sussex 16 February 2008.
Gurney Nutting
Blatchley spent three of his early teenage years bedridden with rheumatic feverRheumatic fever
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that occurs following a Streptococcus pyogenes infection, such as strep throat or scarlet fever. Believed to be caused by antibody cross-reactivity that can involve the heart, joints, skin, and brain, the illness typically develops two to three weeks after...
, in his spare time sketching designs for cars and building models of them. On his recovery he failed his entrance examinations to Cambridge University and so his parents sent him to The College of Aeronautical and Automobile Engineering in Chelsea and then to the Regent Street Polytechnic. While still a student his ability was recognized by A F McNeil of Gurney Nutting
J Gurney Nutting & Co Limited
J Gurney Nutting & Co Limited was an English firm of bespoke coachbuilders specialising in sporting bodies founded in 1918 as a new enterprise by a Croydon firm of builders and joiners of the same name...
, then the most fashionable coachbuilders, and they hired him on his graduation in 1935. Within two years McNeil moved to James Young & Co
James Young (coachbuilder)
James Young Ltd was a British coachbuilding company. The business was started in 1863 in LondonRoad, Bromley. originally producing horsedrawn carriages....
and Blatchley, just 23, hitherto the preparer of concept drawings for customer approval, took McNeil's position at Gurney Nutting as Chief Designer. A F McNeil was John Blatchley's teacher mentor and friend for many years.
Rolls-Royce
Unable to fight during World War II due to a heart murmur he was moved to Rolls-Royce Aero Design headquarters in Hucknall Nottinghamshire where he was responsible for the engine cowling on the HurricaneHawker Hurricane
The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force...
and Spitfire
Supermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War. The Spitfire continued to be used as a front line fighter and in secondary roles into the 1950s...
. He described the work as "intensely boring". Towards the end of the war Car Division had prepared a postwar car which was to have its own factory-supplied bodywork, all-steel so it could be exported all over the world. Blatchley who had moved to the Design office in their Experimental Department in Belper Derbyshire stepped in and refined the new body's design, externally and in its passenger compartment, with great finesse. Its sophisticated collection of harmonising shapes looking almost more 'right' today than when new. This new shape first appeared in 1946 as a Bentley Mk VI. Enlarged with an extended boot and wings it appeared in 1949 as the first Standard Steel Rolls-Royce, Silver Dawn. The matching Bentley, following a few years later, was named Bentley R Type. These postwar cars finally took the top-people's-carriage trade away from Daimler.
Work began on the Corniche II (Bentley Continental) project in 1950. At the end of his life John Blatchley disclaimed any involvement in the final design though admitted to having worked on some initial suggestions. He said it was Ivan Evernden's concept inspired by the 1938 Embiricos Bentley
Bentley Continental
Bentley has used the Continental name on a number of automobiles since 1952From 1952 to 1965 always for cars with more powerful engines than used in standard cars installed in lowered chassis provided to coachbuilders for distinctive and distinguished body shapes of specially lightened...
. Ivan worked with Stanley Watts and George Moseley of HJ Mulliner on the final details.
In Sept 1951 the Styling Office was officially formed as a separate department at the Crewe
Crewe
Crewe is a railway town within the unitary authority area of Cheshire East and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. According to the 2001 census the urban area had a population of 67,683...
works and Blatchley appointed Styling Engineer under Ian Evernden. In 1952 the responsibility for external styling of Park Ward
Park Ward
Park Ward was a British coachbuilder founded by William M. Park and Charles W. Ward in 1919. They had worked together at F.W. Berwick Ltd., the makers of Sizaire-Berwick cars.Their business operated from Willesden, North London.-History:...
coachwork was transferred to Crewe. Development of new models continued but the designs presented to the board meeting which would decide on the new model to be introduced in 1955 were rejected as being too modern. In the space of a week Blatchley produced a complete new concept to the board's requirements and it was immediately accepted. This became the Silver Cloud and S Type, the last standard model based on a separate chassis. Blatchley was appointed Chief Stylist in 1955.
The last standard model car he was associated with was the unitary construction Silver Shadow and Bentley T Type. As Chief Stylist of Park Ward he designed what proved to be a short run of half a dozen of their bodies on the Bentley Continental chassis. He is also credited with the design of the Rolls-Royce Corniche announced after his retirement by Mulliner Park Ward in 1971. One of these Corniches remains in current use (2009) as the Imperial Processional Car of the Emperor of Japan.
Before it went into production BMW asked Blatchley his opinion on its new Phantom. He approved. "BMW showed me their possible designs; there was literally only one I thought was any good, and it's the one they've built. I think they've done a marvellous job."
Inevitable changes in management style frustrated Blatchley and he missed his former freedom of action. Though only 55 he had private means and he chose to retire on 21 March 1969 to Hastings East Sussex where he was to enjoy almost 40 years in retirement. He was succeeded at Rolls-Royce by Fritz Feller an Austrian-born engineer.
Of Blatchley's leadership qualities, his deputy Bill Allen recalls "I had only five bosses during my career of 49 years and John was the best. He had that quality of leadership which tends to defy analysis; once I saw this described as 'the art that conceals the art'. Whatever problems he had with those superior in rank to him were never allowed to disturb the even temperament and quiet confidence with which he dealt with us".
John Blatchley's Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars
Blatchley and his team developed the shape of the following designs, the two brands were virtually identical:- Bentley Mark VIBentley Mark VIThe Bentley Mark VI was the first post-war luxury car from Bentley.Announced in May 1946 and produced from 1946 to 1952 it was also both the first car from Rolls-Royce with all-steel coachwork and the first complete car assembled and finished at their factory...
- Bentley R TypeBentley R TypeThe R Type is the second series of post-war Bentley automobiles, replacing the Mark VI. Essentially a larger-boot version of the Mk VI, the R type is regarded by some as a stop-gap before the introduction of the S series cars in 1955. As with its predecessor, a standard body was available as well...
and Rolls-Royce Silver DawnRolls-Royce Silver DawnThe Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn is a car that was produced by Rolls-Royce at their Crewe works between 1949 and 1955. It was the first Rolls-Royce car to be offered with a factory built body which it shared, along with its chassis, with the Bentley Mark VI until 1952 and then the Bentley R Type until... - Bentley S1Bentley S1The Bentley S was a luxury car produced by Bentley Motors Limited from 1955 until 1959.Bentley 's first true complete redesign of their standard production car after World War II and their last standard production car with an independent chassis.These cars were given a new V8 engine in late 1959,...
and Rolls-Royce Silver CloudRolls-Royce Silver CloudThe Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud was the core model of the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars range from April 1955 until March 1966. It replaced the Silver Dawn and was, in turn, replaced by the Silver Shadow.The J. P... - Bentley T-seriesBentley T-seriesThe Bentley T-Series is an automobile which was produced by Bentley Motors Limited in the United Kingdom from 1965 to 1980. It was announced and displayed for the first time at the Paris Motor Show on 5 October 1965 as a Bentley-badged version of the totally-redesigned chassis-less Rolls-Royce...
and Rolls-Royce Silver ShadowRolls-Royce Silver ShadowThe Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow is a luxury car that was produced in Great Britain in various forms from 1965 to 1980. It was the first Rolls-Royce to use a monocoque chassis, a response to concerns that the company was falling behind in automotive innovation....
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- Rolls-Royce CornicheRolls-Royce CornicheThe Corniche was Rolls-Royce's coupé and convertible version of the Silver Shadow produced between 1971 and 1996. The Corniche was named "Silver Shadow Mulliner Park Ward two door fixed head coupé " from 1966 until 1971 when the Corniche name was applied. The exterior design was by John Polwhele...
- Rolls-Royce Corniche
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