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George Neville
• The managing director of George Neville Truck Equipment Ltd describes himself as a person who loses interest in an idea once it is accepted on the market. He has been the father of many ideas which have now been accepted as part of the transport scene.
As far back as 1937 George designed what he claims to have been the first-ever forward-control cab and for a cost of £45 he was able to convert the front end of a Bedford to take his own cab. Even before the Second World War finished — in 1944 George was prdducing a tilt cab. This was the forerunner of the generally accepted models of today. Unfortunately, George Neville allowed his patent to lapse — for which he kicks himself now.
He can still produce Press cuttings showing a vehicle fitted with a tilt cab which had a full 90deg tilt making the engine compartment so accessible that the unit could be removed and replaced in 55 minutes.
When the operating industry was eagerly. searching for fuel economy back in 1946 George Neville's company embarked on engine conversion, replacing petrol with diesel units. His most recent and possibly best-known invention was the dump trailer which is now built by his former company.
This man, who has been one of the front runners in bodywork development since the early Thirties, is surely qualified to say what the next developments are likely to be. He has — but I am sworn to secrecy. What can be said is that up in the gallery at Earls Court this year, George Neville will be exhibiting his latest and most revolutionary body design. It is a concept which will prove highly attractive to tipper men.
Later in the year we are likely to be hearing of another Neville idea which, among other things, he estimates will give operators a 3 per cent saving on fuel.
George is a very practical man and he believes that there is no substitute for experience. He has an aversion for university graduates who leave the lecture hail and expect to become production managers or directors with enormous salaries without really knowing the nuts and bolts of the business. -They should be paying me," says George, whose son is the production director of the 30-employee company. A one time Monte-Carlo and Tulip Rally competitor, George still finds time for his hobbies of golf and tennis — he called in to see us on his way from Wimbledon last week. For once, he had been content to be one of life's spectators I
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