Harry Weslake

Automotive Engineer and Expert on Engine Tuning

August 21, 1897 - September 2, 1978

Harry Weslake was born in Exeter to a middle-class family. His father, Henry, was a director at Wiley and Co, a foundry and engineering company. His amazing engineering skills were evident from a fairly young age: as a schoolboy, he designed and built a system whereby a motor would drive a third wheel near the rear wheel of his bike. His father was not impressed with this invention, but he had to blush when a very similar system was sold as the Wall Autowheel a few years later. His love for motorcycles and the desire to make things better (faster) became the key moment of his life, later he founded Weslake Research and Development, which was engaged in the development and development of engines and cylinder heads. Some of the company's key achievements are: 1918 patent for the Wex carburetor, 1929 Bentley take the first four places at Le Mans using engines heavily modified by Harry Weslake, 1935 modified "Standard" engines to achieve 100 mph SS100 cars. 1947 Jaguar's new XK twin cam engine developed using Weslake patents. 1951 Jaguar XK-120C wins Le-man using Weslake's patented cylinder head. 1953 Jaguar C-type wins Le-man , using Weslake's patented cylinder head. 1954,1955,1956,1957 - Jaguar D-type wins Le-man using Weslake's patented cylinder head.