Walter Hassan

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Walter Hassan OBE (April 25, 1905-July 12, 1996), born in London, was a British automobile engineer.

[edit] History

His father owned a clothes store in Holloway, North London. As it was told his uncle encouraged him to be a creator since his uncle was building model ships. He studied at Northern Polytechnic and then Hackney Technical Institute of Engineering. His first job was in Bentley Motors. ( He was employee #14) working under the head of experimental department ( Todays R&D) Frank Clement. Later he involved with Bentley Racing and he was a riding mechanic in some races. Off-seasons he was part of the Bentley Motors service department. After Bentley was taken over by Rolls-Royce Motors, Hassan left the company and worked for Wolf Barnato. In 1933 He started to build a racing car that would become known as Barnato Hassan which was one of the fastest car ever lap to Brookslands. Later he also developed a car for Bill Pacey and named Pacey Hassan. This was a success during 1936 British racing circuits.

1938 he worked with SS cars which later became Jaguar and he was the chief R&D engineer at Coventry. When the war started he moved to Bristol and worked for Bristol Aero Engine Company. Back to Jaguar and Hassan helped to develop new Jaguar V12 engine along with William Heynes and Harry Mundy. Later years Le-Mans winnig Jaguars were powered with this V12 engine. Hassan retired in early 1970s and he received OBE for his services in motor sports.