Colin


AN ENGINEER'S LIFE  -  COLIN RIEKIE  

The 541 is often described as "an Eric Neale design", but his beautiful body design would be nothing without the work of Jensen's Chief Draughtsman. The company was small enough not to bother with titles such as "Chief Engineer", but it is quite apparent that Riekie was an Engineer through-and-through.
  -     A PERSONAL REMEMBRANCE BY AB (BARRIE) PRICE
   -    DETAILS OF THE LIFE AND WORK OF COLIN RIEKIE
   -    THE RIEKIE LETTERS


some_alt   - THE RIEKIE LETTERS.

In 1974 there was a brief correspondance and a meeting between JOC founder member Mike Byrne and Colin Riekie. Luckily, Mike kept the letters on file and has generously agreed to share them on this website, giving us an insight into Colin's work at Jensen.

The first letter was in March 1974 and deals with an invitation to an early JOC "National" event, and with Colin's work at Jensen.
The second letter was July 1974. After general matters, Colin briefly discusses his development of the first disc-braked prototype. At the time, this was radical technology beyond even the grasp of major motor corporations.

Letters


Colin did attend the 1974 JOC National as a judge, and the event was covered by Michael Bowler of Classic Car magazine, who at the time owned a 541 himself.


Michael Bowler, Classic Car magazine, August 1974

The JOC had their National Week-end up at Blackpool last month and I went up on the Sunday to judge the Concours; the previous day, a parade of 24 Jensens had contributed to the entertainment of the crowd watching the end of the Tour of Britain Cycle race.

Although I obviously know more about the 541 series than the V8 cars, I happily bowed to Colin Reikie [sic] who was chief draughtsman at Jensen from immediately after the war up to the 541R. He chose A.D. Bennet’s beautiful 541R which the owner has just brought back from Hong Kong; like mine, this has the more powerful DS7 engine with the reversed head layout.

For my part on the CV-8s, I was at a loss to choose between the two cars of D.Horton and J Hodgson, both absolutely immaculate from stem to stern and underneath too; they received joint prizes. It was a nice gathering on the Middle Walk at Blackpool, although it was rather beset by rain and sea-spray, and good to see so many other glass-fibre Jensen enthusiasts.















In June, Colin wrote again saying how he had enjoyed the JOC "National" meeting, and then reminisced about the disc brake prototype OEA 541, which is currently (2012) being restored:










  -     A PERSONAL REMEMBRANCE BY AB (BARRIE) PRICE
   -    DETAILS OF THE LIFE AND WORK OF COLIN RIEKIE
   -    THE RIEKIE LETTERS
With many thanks for the contributions and co-operation of Mike Byrne, Barrie Price, and Rob Riekie.
Please let me know of any omissions or amendments necessary. This item will be given a permanent home on the Jensen541.com site. Stephen Carter 2012.