Driving force behind classic MG roadster dies aged 94
THE “gentleman” engineer who designed one of Britain’s most iconic sports cars has died at 94.
Don Hayter drew the concept sketches for the MGB, which became the UK’s top-selling roadster.
It remains MG’s most successful car with more than 500,000 sold between 1962 and 1980.
Mr Hayter grew up in the shadow of the MG factory in Abingdon, Oxon.
He began his career in the Second World War, helping to build Lancaster bombers.
Afterwards, he worked for Jaguar, then Aston
Martin, helping design the DB2. On joining MG Mr Hayter was tasked with creating a massmarket sports car – and came up with the MGB.
With a design ahead of its time and relatively affordable price the motor was an instant hit.
Mr Hayter became MG’s chief engineer in 1973. He had two children – Ian and Alison – from his first marriage and later remarried, to Mary.
When the factory shut in 1980 he sold himself an MGB bodyshell and a 3.5-litre V8 engine.
He then built an MGB V8 roadster, which was immortalised by Hornby as a scale model car. This year he received a visit at his care home in Abingdon from local MG club members.
Chris Callaghan, vice-chairman of club, said: “He was a true gentleman, a true MG enthusiast.
“MG was very close to his heart and he will be incredibly missed by all of us who knew him.”
Richard Monk, of the MG Owner’s Club, added: “In MG circles Don Hayter was a bit of a celebrity.
“He was an engineer through and through but he was also a real gentleman.”