Births on March 28

Paul England

Born on March 28, 1929

Paul England, Australian race car driver and engineer (d. 2014)

The Enduring Legacy of Paul England: An Australian Motor Racing Pioneer

Paul England, a name synonymous with Australian motor racing innovation and prowess, left an indelible mark on the sport during his remarkable life from March 28, 1929, until June 17, 2014. More than just a driver, England was a true enthusiast and engineer, deeply embedded in the automotive world, including his significant work with the renowned Australian company, Repco. His career spanned various disciplines, showcasing both his driving talent and his ingenious mechanical aptitude.

Early Innovations and the Ausca Legacy

From the outset, Paul England was hands-on, often racing cars that he himself had meticulously developed. One of his early and most notable creations was his own Ausca sports racing car. This unique machine featured a potent 138 Holden-powered grey motor, a staple of Australian performance at the time, nestled within a distinctive fiberglass body that took its styling cues from the elegant A6GCS Maserati. This blend of local engineering and international design flair highlighted England's vision and technical skill.

A Foray into Formula One

Paul England's ambition wasn't confined to local circuits; he even ventured onto the global stage, making a singular appearance in a Formula One World Championship Grand Prix. In 1957, he competed in the challenging German Grand Prix, driving a Formula Two Cooper T41-Climax. While his debut at the highest level of motorsport was unfortunately cut short due to a distributor fault, forcing his retirement from the race, it marked a significant moment for the Australian driver, demonstrating his courage to compete against the world's best.

Triumphs in Australian Hillclimb Championships

Upon his return from European racing, England continued to push the boundaries of automotive design and performance. He once again utilized a car bearing the Ausca name, but this iteration was a completely different beast, showcasing his unparalleled creativity. This highly unusual, yet incredibly effective, machine featured an 1800cc Volkswagen engine at the front and a 2200cc Volkswagen engine at the rear. Both powerplants were ingeniously supercharged by a single supercharger, utilizing a special manifold to deliver compressed air to both ends. This extraordinary creation propelled England to victory in three Australian Hillclimb Championships, securing titles in 1970, 1973, and 1974. The ingenuity of this particular Ausca is so highly regarded that it is now preserved and displayed at a Volkswagen museum in Ballarat, a testament to its groundbreaking design.

Beyond the Racetrack: Engineering and Family Legacy

After a storied racing career, Paul England transitioned his formidable engineering skills into a successful business venture. He founded and owned a general engineering company called Paul England & Staff, located in Essendon, Victoria, Australia. This company continued his legacy of precision and innovation, particularly in the motor racing sector. In the 1970s, his firm gained particular renown for building high-performance 1.6 litre Ford engines specifically designed for motor racing, which became widely recognized and affectionately referred to as an "England engine." Today, the family legacy continues, with Paul England & Staff proudly run by his first child and eldest daughter, Lisa Mary Coulton, alongside her husband, Steven Coulton. Paul England was also a proud grandfather to ten grandchildren, ensuring his family's connection to his remarkable life and achievements endures.

FAQs About Paul England

Who was Paul England?: Paul England was a celebrated Australian racing driver and innovative engineer, known for his bespoke racing car designs and his success in various motor racing disciplines, including a Formula One appearance and multiple Australian Hillclimb Championships.
When was Paul England born and when did he pass away?: Paul England was born on March 28, 1929, and passed away on June 17, 2014.
What cars is Paul England famous for racing?: He is known for racing his self-built 138 Holden-powered Ausca sports car, a Formula Two Cooper T41-Climax in a Formula One Grand Prix, and a unique twin-VW engine, supercharged Ausca that dominated Australian Hillclimb Championships.
Did Paul England compete in Formula One?: Yes, Paul England competed in a single Formula One World Championship Grand Prix race, the 1957 German Grand Prix, driving a Formula Two Cooper T41-Climax.
What were the "England engines"?: "England engines" were high-performance 1.6 litre Ford engines built by Paul England's engineering company, Paul England & Staff, in the 1970s, specifically for motor racing applications.
Where can I see Paul England's Ausca car?: One of his innovative Ausca cars, featuring the unique twin-VW engine setup, is preserved and displayed at a Volkswagen museum in Ballarat.
What was Paul England's company?: After retiring from racing, Paul England owned a general engineering company called Paul England & Staff in Essendon, Victoria, Australia, which continues to operate today under the management of his daughter and son-in-law.

References

Paul England

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Events on 1929

31 Jan

Leon Trotsky
The Soviet Union exiles Leon Trotsky.
26 Feb

Grand Teton National Park
President Calvin Coolidge signs an executive order establishing the 96,000 acre Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.
8 Apr

Bhagat Singh
Indian independence movement: At the Delhi Central Assembly, Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt throw handouts and bombs to court arrest.
21 Jun

Cristero War
An agreement brokered by U.S. Ambassador Dwight Whitney Morrow ends the Cristero War in Mexico.
23 Aug

1929 Palestine riots
Hebron Massacre during the 1929 Palestine riots: Arab attack on the Jewish community in Hebron in the British Mandate of Palestine, continuing until the next day, resulted in the death of 65-68 Jews and the remaining Jews being forced to leave the city.