Cecil Charles Kimber (12 April 1888 – 4 February 1945) was a British automobile designer and engineer, best known for his role in the establishment and development of the MG Car Company. He was instrumental in creating the marque's reputation for affordable, sporting cars.
Early Life and Career
Born in London, Kimber began his career in the automotive industry as an apprentice with various companies, gaining experience in design, engineering, and sales. He worked for several firms, including AC Cars and Sheffield-Simplex, before joining Morris Garages in Oxford in 1921.MG Car Company
Morris Garages was a retail sales and service outlet for Morris cars, owned by William Morris (later Lord Nuffield). Kimber was initially appointed as sales manager but quickly began to develop his own ideas for modifying standard Morris vehicles to enhance their performance and styling.- Early Innovations: Kimber started by fitting custom bodywork and tuning Morris chassis to create more sporting versions, initially for personal use and later for sale. These early cars, known as "MG Super Sports Morris," proved popular.
- General Manager: By 1922, Kimber had become general manager of Morris Garages. He was given increasing autonomy to develop his specialized cars, which soon began to carry the distinctive "M.G. Octagon" badge.
- Formation of MG Car Company: The success of these sporting models led to the official formation of the MG Car Company Limited in 1930, with Kimber as its Managing Director. Under his leadership, MG established a dedicated factory at Abingdon-on-Thames.
- Design Philosophy: Kimber's design philosophy emphasized lightweight construction, responsive handling, and sporting performance, often achieved through clever engineering of readily available components. He was known for his attention to detail, particularly in styling and interior trim.
- Key Models: Kimber oversaw the development of many iconic MG models, including the Midget series (M, J, P, T-types), the Magnette (K-type), and the K3 racer, which achieved significant success in motor racing, including at the Mille Miglia.
Departure from MG and Later Life
Kimber's relationship with William Morris (Lord Nuffield), who owned MG, became strained, particularly as World War II approached. Nuffield favoured mass production and wartime utility vehicle manufacturing, while Kimber was passionately committed to sports car production and independent design. These disagreements led to Kimber's dismissal from MG in 1941.After leaving MG, Kimber worked for other companies involved in wartime production, including Specialloid Ltd. (piston manufacturers) and High Duty Alloys Ltd.