Sir William Lyons (* 4 September 1901 in Blackpool; "† 1985) were the founder of the mark Jaguar.

It was born as a second child of William and min never Lyons and visited the school with average notes up to its 17. Lebensjahr. Its father procured a training place for it with Crossley of engine Ltd. and the young William Lynes studied evening to the Manchester Tech mechanical engineering. Lyons started as a salesman of motorcycles with Brown and Mallalieu. It was successful also in motorcycling and won with its Harley-Davidson Daytona Special some speed hill climbs.

1922 became William Lyons at the age of 21 partners of Bill Walmsley's Swallow Sidecar company. On 6 November 1926 the announcement for the Swallow Sidecar & a Coach Building CO became in the Blackpool Gazette. published. The first Austin Swallow was a two-seater in the spring of the 1927 became certified. In the middle of August was announced the Morris Cowley Swallow. This were the first steps for the young William Lyons in the world of the automotive manufacture.

With the experience in the building of bodies intended Lyons its own mark to base, was to be recognized however realistically enough over, which was missing to him the talent to the car manufacturer. Nevertheless he pursued the ambitious plan its first car to present.

On 9 October 1930 in The Autocar the S.S. Sixteen Coupe one announced, although the first models with stronger 20 hp the engine were delivered. Beside the S.S. Sixteen Coupe gave it still to the smaller "Little Nine" standard Swallow. The name SS1 for the six cylinder and SS2 for the four-cylinder were only used after 1931.

The SS1 showed, how Lyons despite missing machines and know-how brought a new car by subcontractors on the market. Chassis and engine became of standard CO. supplied and the body manufactured by Swallows. For the press the SS1 was the star of the Olympia engine show.

On 26 October 1933 William Lyons created the SS Cars Ltd. with a capital of 10.000 Pound in 1 Pound portions. Beside the open route cars, also drop Head and Fixed Head Coupes as well as Saloons on basis of the SS1 and SS2 were offered. Lyons busy itself also with the question of a new engine, but both the idea a row eight-set of Studebaker or a McEvoy Pomeroy Zoller compressor engine was rejected in favor of its own development.

1935 present William Lyons in May-fair the hotel in London 2,7 litres the SS Jaguar. The SS Jaguar 100 was offered to 1936 and was the first real sports car of the mark. Later beside that 2,7 litres also a 3,5 litre of SS were offered to 100, which were very successful with international in the engine haven.

In March 1945 the name renamed by Lyons company of SS Cars Ltd. in Jaguar Cars Ltd. On 30 September 1948 William Lyons presented the new Mk V sedan and the Coupe and announced a new sports car. The XK 120 was immediately a classical author, who formed the basis for the call with the mark. The XK 120 had a 3,5 litre of row six cylinder and was with a speed of 120 mph (193 km/h) one of the fastest sports cars of its time. 1956 were honoured William Lyons for its earnings/services, in particular for the structure of the company and the export trade, with the title Knight Bachelor.

1961 presented Sir William Lyons the E-type on that Geneva autosalon. With Slicks the E-type with from the XK 150 S admitted 3,8 litres XK-engine could do the magic 150 mph (241 km/h) to reach. Later 4,2 litres XK-engine was sold to the E-type with that and than 2+2 Coupe.

To the 60ern Lyons transferred further companies, among other things Daimler engine company, Guy of engine and Coventry Climax Engines Ltd. On 11 July 1966 Sir William Lyons and Sir George Harriman announced the fusion of Jaguar Cars Ltd. and the British of engine. Although Lyons hoped the fact that the fusion of Jaguar and BMC the company strengthens was too large the losses of the equal partner BMC and on 19 January 1968 Sir William Lyons communicates that the BMC with British Leyland fuses to the British Leyland engine corporation.

While its sports cars created the basis for the myth of the company Jaguar, the company sold primarily the and sporty sedans, which were bread and butter business of the company. All of its cars offered a very good price performance ratio, achievement, handling characteristics and a styling.

Sir William Lyons remained a supervisory board chairman and managing director until 1972 as it into the retirement went. Its follow-up began "Lofty" England, but Sir William kept an influential role as a president further.

Literature

• Andrew Whyte: Jaguar. The history OF A great British Car. 2. Edition. Stephens, Wellingborough 1985, ISBN 0-85059-746-3

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