RIP Ron Beaty of "Forward Engineering"
Discussion
It is with great regret that I have to announce the passing away of my father Ronald, as many of you will know his life was Jaguar from his very early days right to the end . He trained at Jaguar at the original "Hollies" as an apprentice and made his way up to being one of the all time greats at the works working in the former competition dept and was experimental engineer for the V12.
In the '60's he formed the company Forward Engineering which made him a house hold name in the Jaguar world, creating the greatest power units to power the british and world water speed records, Lister Jaguars (of which he was the creator of the original Lister XJS alongside Brian Lister) , many track records both here and abroad, the original TWR XJS's were also "Forward " powered as were many small volume constructors like Panther .
Dad will be greatly missed by many "Jaguarists" but the legend will live on for many years to come .
In the '60's he formed the company Forward Engineering which made him a house hold name in the Jaguar world, creating the greatest power units to power the british and world water speed records, Lister Jaguars (of which he was the creator of the original Lister XJS alongside Brian Lister) , many track records both here and abroad, the original TWR XJS's were also "Forward " powered as were many small volume constructors like Panther .
Dad will be greatly missed by many "Jaguarists" but the legend will live on for many years to come .
How very sad. My thoughts are with you and your family. The man was a true legend in the world of Jaguars. His knowledge and expertise was unparalleled and his willingness to give advise a breath of fresh air. A true engineer with a real mechanical empathy and a natural understanding of all things mechanical.
Agreed, my sympathy to you and your family. Good guy and well known in lots of circles. Good to see you are keeping up the Jaguar tradition and I wish you well for the future. I don`t know if George Hodge is still around, if not your Dad must have been the last of the Jaguar Comps mechanics except for Dewis.
Only just picked this up, my sincere condolences.
Ron re-built the engine on my V12 E type several years ago and it’s still going strong.
As an ex Jaguar apprentice I remember the Hollies well, it was the student apprentice hostel - I stayed there during my first year, 1965 I think, well after Ron’s time there.
Ron re-built the engine on my V12 E type several years ago and it’s still going strong.
As an ex Jaguar apprentice I remember the Hollies well, it was the student apprentice hostel - I stayed there during my first year, 1965 I think, well after Ron’s time there.
Very sorry to hear your sad news. Your father offered me a job back in 1992 when I'd been made redundant from Engine Developments. As it turned out, I ended up going to Cosworth instead and now find myself working at Jaguar Engineering since 1999.
I've no doubt that your father's advice and comments at the time stuck with me to inspire my move to where I am now and I always think of him when I drive by Meriden.
I've no doubt that your father's advice and comments at the time stuck with me to inspire my move to where I am now and I always think of him when I drive by Meriden.
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