A Life in Car Design - Jaguar, Lotus, Tvr

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, then 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. Then a stint with TVR until 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 Detroit, USA, as a project manager for General Motors on two low volume vehicles. Returning to the UK he rejoined Lotus where he held a number of senior management positions in engineering and vehicle safety work. Retired since 2009, he now lives in a modest self-designed house in Norfolk, UK.

IntroductionChapter 1 The beginningChapter 2 Jaguar engineering apprenticeChapter 3 Jaguar staff stylistChapter 4 LotusChapter 5 The Chapman boatsChapter 6 IndependentChapter 7 TVR sports carsChapter 8 The car that never was - part 1Chapter 9 The car that never was - part 2Chapter 10 Cadillac, Oldsmobile and the USAChapter 11 Back to - guess where?Chapter 12 The Italian jobChapter 13 ConsultantIndex