Gordon Murray
Encyclopedia
Prof.
Gordon Murray (born 1946 in Durban
, South Africa), is a renowned designer of Formula One
race cars and the McLaren F1
road car.
immigrant parents, Murray was born and grew up in Durban, South Africa. His father was a motorcycle racer and later prepared racing cars. Murray studied mechanical engineering at Natal Technical College (now Durban University of Technology
, which made Murray an Honorary Professor in 2002). He built and raced his own car, the IGM Ford, in the South African National Class during 1967 and 1968.
. But Murray was offered a job at Brabham after coincidentally meeting then Brabham designer Ron Tauranac
. When Bernie Ecclestone
took over the Brabham team, he appointed Murray Chief Designer. There Murray designed many Grand Prix
cars, some of which were World Championship winners. These designs include the extraordinary BT46B
, also known as "the Brabham fan car", as well as the World Championship winning BT49
and BT52
. Murray developed a reputation for an innovative approach to design, applied not only to car concepts and details but also to race strategy.
Between 1973 and 1985 Murray’s Brabhams scored 22 Grand Prix wins, finished 2nd in the Constructors' Championship in 1975 and 1981, and gave Nelson Piquet
Drivers’ Championships in 1981 and 1983. In 1986, Murray designed the radical and highly ambitious low-line Brabham BT55
in an effort to lower overall ride height. But the car was not a success, and the year proved disastrous for Brabham.
won 15 of the 16 Grands Prix, and gave Ayrton Senna
his first Drivers' Championship. In the Constructors' Championship McLaren's points score of 199 was (at that time) an all-time high. Over the period 1988–91 the McLaren team won four consecutive Constructors' and Drivers' Championships: Alain Prost
won the Drivers' Championship in 1989, Senna won further Drivers' Championships in 1990 and 1991.
and the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
.
(Type 25) prototype city car
along with mention of a future lightweight, economical supercar project. The T25 will be smaller than a Smart Fortwo
. In November 2009 Gordon Murray Design and Zytek Automotive announced plans to develop an electric-powered version, the T.27.
On 17 November 2008 Gordon Murray won the ‘Idea of the Year’ accolade at Autocar magazine’s annual awards ceremony for the manufacturing process proposed for the T.25.
The car, dubbed T27, will be the product of a partnership between Murray’s company and British-based technology company Zytek
, who will build the powertrain.
Murray also independently designed the Rocket, an ultra-lightweight, open cockpit roadster powered by a 1-litre motorcycle engine, which has an appearance similar to that of a 60's era Grand Prix car. Looking like a pure single-seater, it actually could accommodate a passenger in tandem with the driver. This seat was located beneath a removable cover. The Rocket was built by former racing driver Chris Craft at the Light Car Company.
Murray has been appointed director of advanced concepts at Caparo Vehicle Products
, and was involved with Project Kimber
, a group who intended to redesign the Smart Roadster
, rebranded as an AC
.
Murray is also a regular columnist for the performance oriented British Evo Magazine
, and a contributing editor
for American Road & Track
.
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
Gordon Murray (born 1946 in Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
, South Africa), is a renowned designer of Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
race cars and the McLaren F1
McLaren F1
The McLaren F1 is a supercar designed and manufactured by McLaren Automotive. Originally a concept conceived by Gordon Murray, he convinced Ron Dennis to back the project and engaged Peter Stevens to design the exterior of the car...
road car.
Early life
Born to ScottishScotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
immigrant parents, Murray was born and grew up in Durban, South Africa. His father was a motorcycle racer and later prepared racing cars. Murray studied mechanical engineering at Natal Technical College (now Durban University of Technology
Durban University of Technology
The Durban University of Technology is a University of Technology in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was formed in 2002 by the merger of Technikon Natal and ML Sultan Technikon and was previously known as the Durban Institute of Technology. It has four campuses in Durban, and two in Pietermaritzburg...
, which made Murray an Honorary Professor in 2002). He built and raced his own car, the IGM Ford, in the South African National Class during 1967 and 1968.
Brabham: 1969–1986
Murray moved to England in 1969, hoping to find a job at Lotus CarsLotus Cars
Lotus Cars is a British manufacturer of sports and racing cars based at the former site of RAF Hethel, a World War II airfield in Norfolk. The company designs and builds race and production automobiles of light weight and fine handling characteristics...
. But Murray was offered a job at Brabham after coincidentally meeting then Brabham designer Ron Tauranac
Ron Tauranac
Ron Tauranac is the former Australian designer for Formula One driver Jack Brabham from 1962 until Brabham's retirement as a driver at the end of the 1970 season. Tauranac briefly owned and managed the Brabham team in 1971, but he sold the team to Bernie Ecclestone in late 1971...
. When Bernie Ecclestone
Bernie Ecclestone
Bernard Charles "Bernie" Ecclestone is an English business magnate, as president and CEO of Formula One Management and Formula One Administration and through his part-ownership of Alpha Prema, the parent company of the Formula One Group of companies. As such, he is generally considered the primary...
took over the Brabham team, he appointed Murray Chief Designer. There Murray designed many Grand Prix
Grand Prix motor racing
Grand Prix motor racing has its roots in organised automobile racing that began in France as far back as 1894. It quickly evolved from a simple road race from one town to the next, to endurance tests for car and driver...
cars, some of which were World Championship winners. These designs include the extraordinary BT46B
Brabham BT46
The Brabham BT46 was a Formula One racing car, designed by Gordon Murray for the Brabham team, owned by Bernie Ecclestone, for the 1978 Formula One season. The car featured several radical design elements, the most obvious of which was the use of flat panel heat exchangers on the bodywork of the...
, also known as "the Brabham fan car", as well as the World Championship winning BT49
Brabham BT49
The Brabham BT49 is a Formula One racing car designed by South African Gordon Murray for the British Brabham team. The BT49 competed in the to Formula One World Championships and was used by Brazilian driver Nelson Piquet to win his first World Championship in .The car was initially designed in...
and BT52
Brabham BT52
The Brabham BT52 was a Formula One car designed for the Brabham team by longtime Brabham designer Gordon Murray for the 1983 F1 season. The car ran on Michelin tyres...
. Murray developed a reputation for an innovative approach to design, applied not only to car concepts and details but also to race strategy.
Between 1973 and 1985 Murray’s Brabhams scored 22 Grand Prix wins, finished 2nd in the Constructors' Championship in 1975 and 1981, and gave Nelson Piquet
Nelson Piquet
Nelson Piquet Souto Maior , known as Nelson Piquet, is a Brazilian former racing driver. He was Formula One world champion in , and . He is one of eight drivers to win three or more world championships, the others being Jack Brabham, Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, Ayrton Senna , Alain Prost , Juan...
Drivers’ Championships in 1981 and 1983. In 1986, Murray designed the radical and highly ambitious low-line Brabham BT55
Brabham BT55
The Brabham BT55 was a Formula One racing car designed by Gordon Murray and David North for the Brabham team owned by Bernie Ecclestone. It used a BMW four-cylinder turbocharged engine tilted over on its side to allow a clear supply of air to the rear wing. The car competed during the 1986 Formula...
in an effort to lower overall ride height. But the car was not a success, and the year proved disastrous for Brabham.
McLaren: 1987–2006
After leaving Brabham, Murray joined McLaren as Technical Director. Learning from his low-line Brabham experience, his 1988 Honda-powered McLaren MP4/4McLaren MP4/4
The McLaren MP4/4 was a highly successful Formula 1 car that competed in the 1988 Formula One season. It was designed by Gordon Murray, who based the design on his lowline Brabham BT55 car of 1986, and American engineer Steve Nichols. It is one of the most dominant Formula One cars ever built,...
won 15 of the 16 Grands Prix, and gave Ayrton Senna
Ayrton Senna
Ayrton Senna da Silva was a Brazilian racing driver. A three-time Formula One world champion, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time...
his first Drivers' Championship. In the Constructors' Championship McLaren's points score of 199 was (at that time) an all-time high. Over the period 1988–91 the McLaren team won four consecutive Constructors' and Drivers' Championships: Alain Prost
Alain Prost
Alain Marie Pascal Prost, OBE, Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur is a French racing driver. A four-time Formula One Drivers' Champion, Prost has won more titles than any driver except for Juan Manuel Fangio , and Michael Schumacher . From 1987 until 2001 Prost held the record for most Grand Prix...
won the Drivers' Championship in 1989, Senna won further Drivers' Championships in 1990 and 1991.
McLaren Cars
From 1991–2004, Murray headed up the off-shoot McLaren Cars team to design road-going supercars: the McLaren F1McLaren F1
The McLaren F1 is a supercar designed and manufactured by McLaren Automotive. Originally a concept conceived by Gordon Murray, he convinced Ron Dennis to back the project and engaged Peter Stevens to design the exterior of the car...
and the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is an Anglo-German grand tourer car jointly developed by Mercedes-Benz and McLaren Automotive, built in Portsmouth and the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, Surrey, England and sold from 2003 to 2009...
.
Gordon Murray Design
In July 2007 the Gordon Murray Design consultancy was established, and released initial details regarding its upcoming T.25T.25
The T.25 or Type 25 is a city car designed by Gordon Murray, who created the iconic McLaren F1 supercar. Murray and his team based in Shalford, south east England have been working on the design for the past three years and, until now, have kept the exact details of the car firmly under wraps...
(Type 25) prototype city car
City car
A city car is a small car intended for use primarily in an urban area.City cars are sold worldwide and most automotive industry manufacturers have one or two in their line-up. In North-America city cars are often referred to simply as "subcompacts" alongside the superminis. These kind of cars...
along with mention of a future lightweight, economical supercar project. The T25 will be smaller than a Smart Fortwo
Smart Fortwo
The Smart Fortwo is a rear-engined two-seater city car manufactured by Smart GmbH, introduced at the 1998 Paris Motor Show as the Smart City Coupé, and currently in its second generation...
. In November 2009 Gordon Murray Design and Zytek Automotive announced plans to develop an electric-powered version, the T.27.
On 17 November 2008 Gordon Murray won the ‘Idea of the Year’ accolade at Autocar magazine’s annual awards ceremony for the manufacturing process proposed for the T.25.
The car, dubbed T27, will be the product of a partnership between Murray’s company and British-based technology company Zytek
Zytek
Zytek Group Ltd is an automotive and motorsport company founded in 1981 and based in Fradley and Repton, United Kingdom. Zytek Group has two main division: Zytek Automotive, which is based at Fradley, Staffordshire; and Zytek Engineering, which is based at Repton, Derbyshire.-Zytek Automotive:Zytek...
, who will build the powertrain.
Other projects
In 1981, Murray was involved in improvements to the Midas CarsMidas Cars
The Midas is a British made kit car initially using Mini running gear that grew out of the Mini Marcos.Harold Dermott and his company, D&H Fibreglass Techniques, of Greenfield, Oldham, Lancashire, England came to an agreement in 1975 with Marcos cars to take over production of their Mini Marcos model...
Murray also independently designed the Rocket, an ultra-lightweight, open cockpit roadster powered by a 1-litre motorcycle engine, which has an appearance similar to that of a 60's era Grand Prix car. Looking like a pure single-seater, it actually could accommodate a passenger in tandem with the driver. This seat was located beneath a removable cover. The Rocket was built by former racing driver Chris Craft at the Light Car Company.
Murray has been appointed director of advanced concepts at Caparo Vehicle Products
Caparo T1
The Caparo T1 is a British mid-engine, rear-wheel drive, two-seat automobile built by Caparo Vehicle Technologies, founded by design director Ben Scott-Geddes and engineering director Graham Halstead, engineers formerly involved in the development of the McLaren F1. The T1 was inspired by Formula...
, and was involved with Project Kimber
Project Kimber
Project Kimber was the industry group which intended to restart production of the discontinued Smart Roadster car in the United Kingdom in 2006, following their unsuccessful bid for MG Rover Group in 2005.-MG Cars:...
, a group who intended to redesign the Smart Roadster
Smart Roadster
The Smart Roadster is a two-door sports car first introduced in 2003 by Smart GmbH. Sales of the Roadster and Roadster Coupé met expectations, however warranty claims resulted in a halt of production of both models in November 2005 after 43,091 Roadsters were made...
, rebranded as an AC
AC Cars
AC Cars Group Ltd. formerly known as Auto Carriers Ltd. is a British specialist automobile manufacturer and one of the oldest independent car marques founded in Britain...
.
Murray is also a regular columnist for the performance oriented British Evo Magazine
Evo Magazine
Evo is a British automobile magazine dedicated to performance cars, from hot hatches to supercars. The first issue was produced in November 1998 as an unofficial successor to Performance Car, which had been closed and integrated into Car Magazine by publisher Emap. "Evo" is published 13 times a...
, and a contributing editor
Contributing editor
A contributing editor is a magazine job title that varies in responsibilities. Most often, a contributing editor is a freelancer who has proven ability and readership draw. The contributing editor regularly contributes articles to the publication but does not actually edit articles, and the title...
for American Road & Track
Road & Track
Road & Track is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. It is owned by Hearst Magazines, and is published monthly. The editorial offices are located in Newport Beach, California.-History:...
.
External links
- Official website of Gordon Murray Design
- ROAD & TRACK magazine: "Anatomy of a Supercar" – An article where Murray gives his opinion about the Bugatti VeyronBugatti VeyronThe Bugatti Veyron EB 16.4 is a mid-engined grand touring car. The Super Sport version is the fastest road-legal production car in the world, with a top speed of . The original version has a top speed of...
. - (CNN) Former F1 Engineer Unveils New City Car --retrieved 28 June 2010
- Channel 4 web site – Gordon Murray's ultra-lightweight microcar: first details.