Historian and CovSoc member, Peter James, tells us the fascinating story of a Coventry company that excelled in several different fields. Peter writes….
Early Years : Foundations & Innovation
Coventry Climax can trace its roots back to 1903 when Lee Stroyer was established in East Street to manufacture petrol engines. Horace Pelham Lee, a former Daimler employee, went into partnership with a Dane named Jens Stroyer. Stroyer left in 1905 when the company moved to Paynes Lane and changed its name to Coventry Simplex. Simplex engines quickly gained recognition powering early vehicles like the first Aston Martin and supporting expeditions such as Ernest Shackleton’s Trans-Antarctic Expedition in 1914.
Article originally printed on the 17th September 1914
During the First World War Simplex motors were in high demand particularly for use in searchlights. Production ramped up supporting the war effort and expanding the company’s technical expertise
Post War Transformation
In 1919 Horace Pelham Lee took over Johnson & Smith Ltd. establishing Coventry Climax Engines Ltd. based in East Street, while Coventry Simplex continued separately.
The newly named company supplied engines to a number of car, bus and tractor manufacturers moving to Friars Road and eventually acquiring the former Riley factory in Widdrington Road.
Diversification and Fire pumps
Facing the impact of Swift’s closure in 1931, Coventry Climax diversified by converting surplus engines to generator use and introducing trailer mounted engine driven pumps. The fire pump division rapidly developing throughout the 1930s led to the Coventry Climax fire pump.
By 1940 the Godiva Company formed from this division stood as the world’s largest fire pump producer.
World War II and Engineering Excellence
Responding to government needs, the company developed the FF fire trailer first used in WWII. It also introduced the Armstrong Whitworth supercharged H30 multi-fuel engine for military applications. These projects exemplified Coventry Climax’s adaptability and engineering skill.
Post-war Diversification
After WWII the firm reduced its reliance on the automotive sector venturing into marine diesels, fire appliances and significantly forklift trucks. However the Ministry of Defence issued new specifications for fire pumps. The new requirements were for light weight units with a faster flow. Jaguar engine designer Walter Hassan was tasked with providing a solution. He designed the 1020cc Featherweight engine which first appeared at the London Motor Show in 1950. The engine’s performance statistics attracted interest from the motor racing fraternity.
Coventry Climax forklift trucks
In 1946 Coventry Climax made a serious impact in the UK forklift market by introducing the ET199 model. This marked the creation of Britain’s first domestically built forklift truck guiding a shift towards industrial equipment manufacturing.
The Motor Racing Era
Leonard Lee who ran the business, recognised the promotional power of motorsport resulting in Walter Hassan designing the FWA a lightweight engine. The company’s racing legacy began in earnest at the 1954 Le Mans 24-hour race and reached its pinnacle with the FPF engine’s victory at the 1958 Argentina Grand Prix. With Stirling Moss at the wheel it marked the first victory achieved in Formula 1 racing. A Cooper car equipped with a 2.5 litre version of the FPF engine enabled Jack Brabham to win the 1959 Formula 1 Championship. The firm accumulated 16 Formula One victories, two drivers championships and two constructors championships, before quitting Formula One racing in 1962.
Technological Impact
Cooper Climax revolutionised racing with the introduction of rear mounted engines challenging the established design assumptions. In May 1964 the Royal Automobile Club presented the Dewar Trophy with the citation “Awarded to Coventry Climax Engines Ltd. for the design, development and production of engines which have brought British cars to the forefront of Grand Prix racing”
Final Years and Legacy
Acquired by Jaguar Cars in 1963, Coventry Climax merged with the British Motor Corporation in 1966 to form British Motor Holdings. Its forklift division was sold to Lansing Bagnall in 1982 and later to Kalmar Industries.
Key Contributions and Achievements
- Pioneered petrol engines for early British cars and expeditions.
- Achieved global leadership in fire pump innovation.
- Developed Britain’s first forklift truck.
- Transformed Formula One with lightweight engines and rear mounted designs.
- Supported military engineering and advanced multi-fuel engines.
Coventry Climax remains celebrated for its engineering excellence, adaptability and lasting influence across automotive, industrial and motorsport sectors.