Laurence Pomeroy

Laurence Henry Pomeroy (1883–1941) was an English automotive engineer trained as a locomotive engineer and particularly interested in the introduction of light alloys into automotive applications.

Laurence Pomeroy was born in London and after leaving school started a four-year engineering course at the East London Technical College as a Whitworth Exhibitioner and at the same time became a railway engineering apprentice at the North London Locomotive Works at Bow. Determined to "get on" in 1903 Pomeroy joined Humphreys & Co Civil Engineers in Victoria Street, London. From there he became a draughtsman with Thornycroft in Basingstoke before moving to Vauxhall Motors in Luton in 1905, where he became assistant to chief engineer Frederick Hodges.

The chief engineer of Vauxhall, F.W. Hodges, was given an extended winter holiday in 1907–08, and during this time Pomeroy was asked by a joint managing director of Vauxhall, Percy Kidner, to redesign one of their current engines. The objective was to increase its power output for the cars to compete in the RAC 2000 mile trial of 1908.

To improve his French, Pomeroy used a text whose French author described the importance of high piston speeds, as well as the necessity of good breathing through large valves and a free-flowing exhaust system. Pomeroy applied these recommendations to a 20 h.p. engine by developing an L-head valve layout. Output went up from Vauxhall's original 12–16 rating to 38 bhp @ 2500 rpm (the RAC formula estimate was 23.5 bhp @ 1800 rpm). Vauxhall advertisements now boasted "buy a 20 hp Vauxhall, pay tax on 20 hp but get near double the horsepower in your car."

The new cars won several classes in the RAC trial. Pomeroy was promoted to the post of Works Manager effectively replacing Hodges. Vauxhall achieved greater public interest. After three years as the assistant chief engineer, Pomeroy was appointed Works Manager in 1910. By 1914, he was the automaker's technical director.

In 1913, he was elected a full member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. He was also a member of the Institute of Automobile Engineers, and served as the organisation's president during 1934–35.

After World War I, in 1919, Pomeroy left Vauxhall (he was then working on an overhead camshaft six and a V12 and the board was not interested in either of them) and moved to the United States. He was employed the Aluminum Company of America to increase the amount of aluminium used in motor cars. This included the engine blocks, pistons, covers, and accessories, as well as was for aluminium car bodies. The American Body Company in Buffalo NY assembled these bodies. The Pierce-Arrows used a Pomeroy engine and for some units, both engine and car were built by Pierce-Arrow.

The British Daimler company and AEC (makers of London buses) began a joint venture in 1926. It was named Associated Daimler and Pomeroy was recruited by Percy Martin of Daimler to be the chief engineer with responsibility for the new venture's commercial vehicles. Pomeroy's contribution was a coach chassis with extensive use of aluminium alloy, made as the Daimler CF6. Pomeroy returned to England in October 1926, and the joint venture ended in 1929.