Tojeiro

John Tojeiro was born on December 3rd, 1923 in Estoril, Portugal. He was affectionately known as Toj, and was an engineer and racing car designer, whose innovations helped to revolutionise car design in the 1950s and '60s.

Son of a Portguese father and English mother, the young John was brought to England in the 1920s after the untimely death of his father.

Following service an engineer in the Fleet Air Arm during World War II, he made his name in automotive engineering. Best known as a chassis engineer, he produced a long line of successful racing cars, most famously in conjunction with the Ecurie Ecosse team, using engines supplies by Jaguar, Buick, Bristol and Climax, among many.

The Ecurie Ecosse Tojeiro EE was one of the first racing cars to use a mid-engine layout to enhance handling and traction. Perhaps his most lasting legacy was in producing a design which AC Cars developed into the AC Ace. From the Ace, Carroll Shelby in turn developed the iconic AC Cobra; marrying a thunderous American V8 engine with the lightweight British chassis.

John Tojeiro sadly died on Wednesday March 16th, 2005 at the age of 81 in England.