12 Facts About Maurice Wilks

1.

Maurice Fernand Cary Wilks was a British automotive and aeronautical engineer, and by the time of his death in 1963, was the chairman of the Rover Company, a British car manufacturer.

2.

Maurice Wilks was the founder of the Land Rover marque and responsible for the inspiration and concept work that led to the development of the first Land Rover off-road utility vehicle.

3.

One of his brothers was Spencer Maurice Wilks who became managing director, chairman and president of the Rover Car Company.

4.

Maurice Wilks worked from 1922 to 1926 for the Hillman Motor Car Company in Coventry.

5.

Maurice Wilks remained at Hillman as a planning engineer until 1930, when he moved to the Rover Company as chief engineer following his much older brother, Spencer.

6.

Spencer Maurice Wilks had been brought in from Hillman in September 1929 by Rover's Frank Searle made general manager and given a seat on Rover's board the following year.

7.

Shortly after the war, whilst at his farm in Anglesey, Maurice Wilks, who used an army surplus Willys Jeep for farm work, and his brother Spencer who was visiting him, were inspired to develop and produce a utility four-wheel-drive vehicle for farmers, and the name Land Rover was coined for it.

8.

Maurice Wilks was a leading light in the establishment and development of the proving ground facilities of the Motor Industry Research Association.

9.

Maurice Wilks remained chief engineer until appointed technical director in 1946.

10.

Maurice Wilks was appointed joint managing director with brother Spencer Wilks in August 1956 and succeeded his brother as managing director in November 1960.

11.

Maurice Wilks died at his farm near Newborough, Anglesey, on 8 September 1963.

12.

Maurice Wilks was survived by his wife and three children.