Dr Alex Moulton appreciation thread.

[M'coli]

I've just learnt that Dr Moulton has passed away at the age of 92. I hope his final journey is in something suitable.

 

[dollywobbler]

If the budget is tight?

 

A sad loss. Not only did he do clever things with car suspension, he even used his skills to create comfortable bicycles.

[messerschmitt owner]

and he drove a Citroen XM!

[hairnet]

 

[Spiny Norman]

Another sad loss, the sciences have lost two great men this weekend.

[Wilko220]

^ +1. Very sad news

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

That must be the whole BMC design team gone now....?

 

I spoke to Alex Moulton once, a very pleasant and interesting guy.

[skattrd]

I used to do a lot of cycling in my youth and always wanted a "Moulton" but sadly couldn't afford one. It was the first road bike I know of that had suspension plus the added bonus of being able to be folded away, awesome machines, I will have one some day.... I didn't know he worked on cars

[Jozza]

The Moulton bike used the same principles as the Mini - small wheels with high tyre pressures to reduce the overall size and keep rolling resistance to a minimum and with rubber cone springs to keep the ride tolerable. You can still buy a Moulton bike with Hydrolastic rear suspension which is exactly the same system as used on an Austin 1100 but minaturised- a rubber spring with an internal fluid damping chamber. The bikes also have 'Flexitor' torsion suspension on the front, which the good Doctor originally designed for the Austin Gipsy back in the 1950s.

 

I regret never having the chance to meet him - as a lifelong BL fan it would have been great to have a chat with one of the 'big players', and he was there from start to finish. He hosted numerous owners clubs at his home in Bradford-on-Avon and everyone says he was always really pleased to see people enjoying 'his' cars and keeping them on the road.

[Guest]

I got the chance to meet him in 2009 and he was as clever and as kind as you would imagine. A very sad loss.

[Captain Slow]

I got the chance to meet him in 2009 and he was as clever and as kind as you would imagine. A very sad loss.

 

Spot on Steven. I met him last year myself following my invitation to The Hall, and found him an utterly charming host - with an undiminished enthusiasm for his life's work and a keen interest in recent advances in his own field and others. I particularly enjoyed hearing about the lesser-known aspects of his career. It was a true privilege.

 

Rest in Peace, sir.

[plasticvandan]

A sad loss indeed,ive been an avid fan of his bikes since a young age and still ride one occasionally,one of the original 60s f frame bikes.They really are superb

[vulgalour]

A sad weekend indeed.

[Pete-M]

Sad news indeed.

 

My dad had a Moulton bike. It was comfy, i'll give it that. Don't know what happened to it, suspect it was given to the bin men.