Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering /muh-kan-i-kuhl en-juh-neer-ing/ noun (uncountable)
Mechanical engineering is the branch of engineering that involves the design, production, and operation of machinery, applying principles of physics and materials science for mechanical systems. In the context of the British motor industry, this was the art of making the oily bits go round and the moving parts not fall off, at least not immediately. It was a discipline built on slide rules, intuition, and a hands-on, practical approach to problem-solving. It was the solid, dependable, and sometimes brutally simple craft that gave a car its fundamental character, long before the stylists and marketing departments got involved.
The Full Story of Mechanical Engineering
The story of British mechanical engineering is a story of contrasts: of world-beating innovation created in humble workshops, and of brilliant concepts undermined by a chronic lack of investment. The primary focus for decades was the engine. Britain excelled at creating small, tough, and endlessly tuneable powerplants. The undisputed king was the BMC A-Series, a simple, iron-block pushrod engine that powered everything from the Morris Minor to the Mini Cooper S. It was a masterpiece of durable, adaptable design that served the nation for half a century. At the other end of the spectrum was Coventry Climax, a small company that built exquisitely engineered racing engines that consistently defeated the giants of Formula One.
This mechanical ingenuity extended to the entire drivetrain. The British affection for the manual gearbox, often enhanced with a quirky but effective overdrive unit, was a defining characteristic. The design of the Mini’s transmission, cleverly placed in the engine’s sump to save space, was a packaging solution of pure genius that revolutionised small car design forever.
Perhaps the greatest area of strength was in suspension and steering. British engineers possessed a deep, almost intuitive understanding of vehicle dynamics. They knew how to make a car handle with agility and feel communicative on the uniquely challenging surfaces of a British B-road. The independent rear suspension module created by Jaguar for the E-Type was a landmark. It was a complex, self-contained work of art that gave Jaguar cars their legendary combination of a cosseting ride and superb road holding.
This engineering ambition, however, was in constant conflict with the accountants and management. A brilliant new engine design might be hobbled by being forced to use outdated, worn-out tooling. A sophisticated suspension system might be fitted with cheap rubber bushes that wore out in a matter of months. This was the perpetual tragedy of the British motor industry: the engineers were often capable of world-class work, but the system in which they operated was frequently dysfunctional, preventing their best ideas from being realised with the quality they deserved.
For The Record
What defines the "British feel" of a car's mechanics?
It often refers to a certain directness and character. Positive attributes typically include communicative steering and a responsive engine. On the other hand, it could also mean a heavy gearchange, a firm ride, and a general sense of being over-engineered in some places and alarmingly under-engineered in others.
Was the Rover V8 a British engine?
By adoption, yes. The design was bought from the American company Buick. Rover's engineers, however, significantly developed and refined the lightweight, all-aluminium engine, and it went on to power British cars for over 40 years, making it a true naturalised citizen of the automotive world.
What is a "pushrod" engine?
It's a type of overhead valve (OHV) engine where the camshaft is located in the engine block and operates the valves at the top via a series of pushrods and rocker arms. It is a simple, compact, and robust design, exemplified by the BMC A-Series and the Rover V8, and was a long-standing favourite of British engineers.
Did British engineers ignore new technology?
No, they were often at the forefront of it, with innovations like disc brakes and the Mini's drivetrain layout. The problem was rarely the quality of the initial engineering concept, but the lack of investment from management to develop those ideas properly or build them with consistent quality.
Where does that mechanical engineering talent reside now?
Primarily in the UK's world-leading motorsport industry, centred around "Motorsport Valley". The same skills that created the Coventry Climax engine and the Jaguar IRS are now applied to designing Formula One cars and high-performance supercars for brands like McLaren.