Aston Engines

Sir,

In the Aston Martin article last month, the author states that the engine subsequent to the 2992cc development of the 2500cc ‘six’ was designed by Tadek Marek. The engine referred to is the famous RB6 which powered the World Sports Car Championship winning DBR1 sportscar and the Grand Prix cars. Brilliant engineer though Tadek Marek was, however, the RB6 was designed by his friend and colleague, Ted Cutting. Tadek was responsible for the 3.7-litre engines which powered the DB4, 5 and 6, and the V8 which is still being produced today.

Ted is still active in competition engine design, and is of enormous help to those of us involved in restoration and preparation of these wonderful cars and their engines for historic racing. He joined Aston Martin in 1949, took Part in the DB2 redesign, worked with the redoubtable Professor Eberan von Eberhorst on the DB3, DB3S and Lagonda V12, became Chief Designer for racing cars in 1956 and designed the DBR1, 2 and 3 and Grand Prix cars, then in 1961 became Chief Designer for the company and designed the Project cars. Tadek Marek was Chief Engineer and Harold Beech (who designed the DB4) Technical Director. Ted later went on to a second and equally distinguished period at Ford, which explains why my 1986 Granada was such a good car he led the design team of that, too.

Keith Dixon, Crickhowell, Powys.