Eric Neale

Eric Neale (26 Sep 1910–1997) was a British car designer.

Biography

Austin A40 Sports, circa 1951, manufactured by Austin in conjunction with Jensen Motors — and styled by Eric Neale. Despite its name, the A40 Sports was intended as a sporty touring car rather than a true sports car[1]

Born in Halesowen, Worcestershire and educated at Halesowen Grammar School. He served as an apprentice designer at Mulliners in Birmingham.

In 1929 he left Mulliners to join Holbrook Bodies in Coventry who made bodies for Alvis, Triumph and Armstrong Siddeley. After only two years he moved on to join Singer in Birmingham as a body designer, and later to Daimler where he worked on Lanchester and Daimler saloons.

In the late 1930s Neale moved to Austin and then to Wolseley.

During World War II Neale served in the Royal Air Force. After the war Neale went back to Wolseley and then in 1946 moved to Jensen.

Neale left Jensen in 1966 following Jensen's decision to drop his design in favour of the Touring design for the new Jensen Interceptor.

Eric Neale died in 1997.

Some of his cars

Jensen 541R

References

  1. ↑ "Motoring Memories: Austin A40 Sports, 1951–1953". Canadian Driver, 15 June 2007, Bill Vance.