Robert M. Sinclair: Horizon, Valiant leader; Chrysler engineering chief
An engineer at Chrysler for 37 years, Robert M. Sinclair led engineering of the original, groundbreaking Chrysler Valiant, launched as a 1960 model. The car was priced close to GM and Ford compacts, but easily outhandled and outran them, with apparently greater reliability. The Valiant was Chrysler's main export for many years, and Chrysler's car with the greatest market share by a good margin throughout its life. (In 1959, Sinclair himself reported on Valiant engineering and the reasons for their decisions.)
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Sinclair was Technical Director of Chrysler France in the mid-1960s. Burton Bouwkamp wrote, "That's worthy of note because his engineers developed the FWD Simca 1100, which became the platform for the European C2 (1978) and C6 (1976) models. It was an outstanding platform for ride and handling.”
Bouwkamp, who championed the Dodge Charger, also wrote:
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Robert Sinclair was the project manager responsible for bringing out the subcompact Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon, which was created using engineers and stylists from the U.S., France, and Britain; he also worked on the Dodge Charger and Plymouth Turismo (TC3 and O24) versions of the L-bodied cars.
In 1983, Sinclair was Director of Power Train Engineering. By 1984 he was vice president of engineering for Chrysler Corporation. In 1985, he launched the Turbo III project which set in motion Chrysler's first dual overhead cam and four-valve-per-cylinder engine, which produced 225 horsepower from a 2.2 liter engine. It also had distributorless ignition. (He also signed a contract with Lotus to develop a 2.5 liter, naturally aspirated 16-valve four, and a four wheel drive system for the Daytona; neither of these survived, due to budget constraints).
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Robert Sinclair retired on February 1, 1987, after 37 years at the company. Lee Iacocca wrote, "During Bob's nearly four decades at Chrysler, he has made significant contributions to the turnaround and success of the company, contributions that will take the company well into the 1990s and beyond. His role in front-wheel-drive technology, turbocharging, and unibody construction are among his many accomplishments during a distinguished career."
In 1988, Sinclair wrote an article for Popular Mechanics in which he said that by 2005, the piston engine would remain, but companies would "deliver superb reliability, pleasant driving, and at a price that makes sense—an engine that starts instantly every morning at any temperature and any altitude." He talked about reliability and "we have to get rid of leaks, with new gaskets. It is not romantic, but that is where the advances are."
Sinclair noted that turbocharging would be refined, and adaptive suspensions would be coming, along with sport-vs-comfort switches, voice commands, and controls on or close to the steering wheel; he also thought round dial gauges would remain, in black and white, with red needles. His predictions were remarkably accurate, including the arrival of drive-by-wire (though he firmly objected to it).
Robert M. Sinclair died on January 13, 2012, at the age of 84. A graduate of the Chrysler Institute of Engineering, he was the father of three sons, and grandfather of six children. No services were planned, and relatives requested that memorial contributions be sent to the American Cancer Society.
(Thanks, Bob Lees, for the notice.)
An engineer at Chrysler for 37 years, Robert M. Sinclair led engineering of the original, groundbreaking Chrysler Valiant, launched as a 1960 model. The car was priced close to GM and Ford compacts, but easily outhandled and outran them, with apparently greater reliability. The Valiant was Chrysler's main export for many years, and Chrysler's car with the greatest market share by a good margin throughout its life. (In 1959, Sinclair himself reported on Valiant engineering and the reasons for their decisions.)
Sinclair was Technical Director of Chrysler France in the mid-1960s. Burton Bouwkamp wrote, "That's worthy of note because his engineers developed the FWD Simca 1100, which became the platform for the European C2 (1978) and C6 (1976) models. It was an outstanding platform for ride and handling.”
Bouwkamp, who championed the Dodge Charger, also wrote:
Robert Sinclair was the project manager responsible for bringing out the subcompact Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon, which was created using engineers and stylists from the U.S., France, and Britain; he also worked on the Dodge Charger and Plymouth Turismo (TC3 and O24) versions of the L-bodied cars.
In 1983, Sinclair was Director of Power Train Engineering. By 1984 he was vice president of engineering for Chrysler Corporation. In 1985, he launched the Turbo III project which set in motion Chrysler's first dual overhead cam and four-valve-per-cylinder engine, which produced 225 horsepower from a 2.2 liter engine. It also had distributorless ignition. (He also signed a contract with Lotus to develop a 2.5 liter, naturally aspirated 16-valve four, and a four wheel drive system for the Daytona; neither of these survived, due to budget constraints).
Robert Sinclair retired on February 1, 1987, after 37 years at the company. Lee Iacocca wrote, "During Bob's nearly four decades at Chrysler, he has made significant contributions to the turnaround and success of the company, contributions that will take the company well into the 1990s and beyond. His role in front-wheel-drive technology, turbocharging, and unibody construction are among his many accomplishments during a distinguished career."
In 1988, Sinclair wrote an article for Popular Mechanics in which he said that by 2005, the piston engine would remain, but companies would "deliver superb reliability, pleasant driving, and at a price that makes sense—an engine that starts instantly every morning at any temperature and any altitude." He talked about reliability and "we have to get rid of leaks, with new gaskets. It is not romantic, but that is where the advances are."
Sinclair noted that turbocharging would be refined, and adaptive suspensions would be coming, along with sport-vs-comfort switches, voice commands, and controls on or close to the steering wheel; he also thought round dial gauges would remain, in black and white, with red needles. His predictions were remarkably accurate, including the arrival of drive-by-wire (though he firmly objected to it).
Robert M. Sinclair died on January 13, 2012, at the age of 84. A graduate of the Chrysler Institute of Engineering, he was the father of three sons, and grandfather of six children. No services were planned, and relatives requested that memorial contributions be sent to the American Cancer Society.
(Thanks, Bob Lees, for the notice.)
