About us
History.
In 2005 Geoff Taylor started Taylor Automotive with the intention of being a freelance automotive engineer.
This allowed him to choose the projects and people he worked with. The most influential of these was Frank Catt of Wealden Engineering Development.
Working with Frank over the next seven years on numerous projects from GT40 & Cobra replicas to single seater motor bike engined racing cars proved both interesting and hugely valuable in terms of practical experience.
Future.
Through his association with Frank the opportunity came about to restore and race a 1965 TVR Griffith. Also at this time a commission to design a new fuel injection system for the classic car market by a major supplier came about. Taylor Automotive now needed larger premises to allow the business to grow.
In 2012 Taylor Automotive moved to its new modern workshops in Chiddingly to allow it to fulfill its racing and development commitments.
Taylor Automotive continues to offer vehicle development to the highest standard as well as race support and specialist automotive product design.
Meet the team
Geoff Taylor
Founder & Technical Director
From an early age Geoff showed a natural leaning towards engineer – constantly dismantling items that interested him.
He has built Jet engines from car turbo’s, steam engines from scrap and his own dyno cell to develop his GT6 engine.
Graduated with a Degree in Automotive systems from Kingston University in 2003.
Worked with Frank Catt at Wealden Engineering for 7 years – learning the practicalities of building cars.
He put this knowledge to good use when he completed the build of his highly developed Triumph GT6.
His favourite part of the job is designing new parts to solve problems more than likely involving the use of computer aided design.
His current project is to re-design the front suspension of a 1965 TVR Griffith so that he can share drive it with the owner in two driver races in the UK.
When he gets the opportunity he enjoys mountain biking and various other interesting outdoor pursuits.
Louis Pilch
Consultant Engineer
Trained in the Army as a Vehicle Mechanic serving in operations including Iraq, his work led him to work with nearly every motorised vehicle the Army had and in his spare time working as Chief Mechanic for the Armed Force Rally Team. When he left he went on to study ‘Motorsport and High Performance Engineering’ and this culminated in a degree from Coventry University.
His full time job is with Ricardo’s – Engine and Drive Train development. He specialises in working with the Oddball and sometimes more complex development projects including projects like Gasoline Spray Guided Direct Injection Research and their control systems or turning a Freelander into a Range Extended Electric Vehicle (REEV), which included integrating a Fiat 500 Engine to act as a generator.
In his position for Ricardo’s Louis has worked for manufactures including Jaguar, McLaren and Red bull. At Taylor Automotive Louis deals with computer simulations of new parts, engine electronics and provides another brain to bounce ideas off of.
He has a passion for Land Rovers and most outdoor adventure pursuits such as mountain biking and rock climbing.
Geoff Letts
Car Builder
Whilst Geoff was studying Engineering he supported his older brother when he went racing rather than competing himself, this hands on approach proved a great learning ground and led to full time employment in the Engineering / Automotive / Motorsport industry. First as a chassis fabricator building replica Cobra’s, then into customer and in-house race car builds. Eventually the corporate world beckoned and a successful career in Engineering Sales was forged and allowed a return to racing. Initially class wins with his brother in Group N saloons, then Mini 7 and most recently an FIA spec Mk1 Lotus Cortina. Geoff has always built his own race cars and has experience of all 3 principle disciplines. Single seaters, sports cars and saloons. And success with each. So when not organising his social life, riding his bike or racing his car he can turn his hand to most tasks and get the job done. He also likes reading, socialising, going to the cinema and travel. But racing the Cortina somewhere in Europe is best!
Charlie
Vehicle Technician
From a young age Charlie was introduced to cars by his Father. The passion continued to grow as he got older. Working on his fathers cars enabled him to pick up much needed knowledge of the mechanics and workings of older cars, and what’s needed to improve them and keep them on road. This introduction to classic vehicles lead Charlie to enrol in the Heritage Skill Academy apprenticeship scheme which will give him an official qualification in Classic car mechanics. Charlie and his Father also compete in classic trials and regularity rallies competing and attaining many classes wins in events as a co-driver from to full on-stage rallies in many different older vehicles.
Charlie’s love of cars was fostered by his Dad from a young age when Charlie helped him work on his classics. As Charlie grew and learnt more about the mechanics and engineering of classic cars the pair started to compete in regularity rallies and classic trials. With Charlie as the navigator the pairing has achieved many class wins and will no doubt continue to do so.
Charlie’s interest in classic vehicles has now become a career. In 2021 Charlie began his working life as an apprentice at Taylor Automotive in conjunction with the Heritage Skills Academy which will ultimately lead to Charlie having a recognised qualification in classic vehicle mechanics.
Charlie’s current project is Ford Cortina MK2 which is being modified into a period 70’s road rally car, for use in light motorsport, and daily driving during the warmer months. While this occupies most of his free time, he can also be found mountain biking on the South Downs or out socialising with friends.