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Ogle Design
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Ogle Design
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Ogle Design is a British design consultancy company founded in 1954 by David Ogle and based in Letchworth, Hertfordshire.

History

[edit]
  • 1954 Ogle Design was founded and produced many successful designs of industrial and household products.
  • 1959 The company became involved in transport design and small-scale car production.
  • 1962 Ogle was killed in a car crash involving one of his SX1000 cars, Tom Karen took over as Managing Director and Chief Designer of the company, and car production ceased.
  • 1974 Separate divisions were formed for product and transport design.
  • 1999 Oct. Ogle Models and Prototypes sold the design business to Ogle Noor.
  • 1999 Ogle Noor formed.

Designs

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Household products

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Transport products

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Car production

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Ogle SX1000 in 1980

Between 1959 and 1962 they built a series of complete cars.

The first was the 1.5 based on an extended Riley 1.5 chassis with BMC B series 1500 cc engine. The two-door, four-seater coupé-styled body was built of glass fibre. It was capable of nearly 90 mph (140 km/h) and eight were made with a price tag of £1574.

Made in greater numbers was the 1962 SX1000 based on the Mini. The first cars were built by grafting the Ogle glass fibre body to a customer supplied Mini. The conversion cost £550 plus the customer supplied base car. Later in 1962, complete cars became available with the 997 cc Cooper version costing £1176. Any of the Mini engines could be specified up to the Mini Cooper S unit which topped out at 110 mph (180 km/h). The cars were fully equipped and featured a padded dashboard for increased safety.[2] It is thought that 66 were made, with Jack Brabham buying one for his wife Betty for their first anniversary.[3] Following David Ogle's death, it was decided to cease car production with the remaining parts being used up. A batch intended for the United States was converted to right-hand drive and sold onto the home market. It is thought the last one left the factory as late as 1964. The moulds were sold in 1966 to Norman Fletcher, a boat builder in West Bromwich, West Midlands, who exhibited a Fletcher GT at the 1967 Racing Car Show.

The final car was the SX250, an updated Daimler SP250 built in 1962. Two were made, but Daimler was not interested and the design was sold to Reliant where it became the basis of the Scimitar GT which was launched in 1964.

In 2012 a replica Ogle SX1000 was available from Nostalgia Cars.[4]

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Ogle Design

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Ogle Design is a pioneering British consultancy founded in 1954 by David Ogle in , , initially focusing on and later expanding into automotive and . The firm quickly gained prominence through early collaborations, such as designing the innovative Bush TR82 transistor radio and the SRP31D record player for Bush Radio, which showcased Ogle's expertise in compact, user-friendly electronics. By the late 1950s, the company relocated to Letchworth Garden City and broadened its scope to include transport design, producing concept studies like an electric taxi for the Electricity Council and the compact , a two-seater based on the BMC Mini platform. In the automotive sector, Ogle Design became renowned for its stylish and practical creations, including the fiberglass-bodied Ogle SX1000 sports on an extended chassis, of which approximately 66 units were produced, and the GT coupe, commissioned in 1962. Following David Ogle's tragic death in a in 1962, assumed leadership as managing director and oversaw further iconic projects, such as the GTE (1968), which sold over 3,500 units, the distinctive three-wheeler (1970), and the bicycle (early 1970s), a cultural phenomenon among children. Beyond vehicles, Ogle's portfolio encompassed diverse innovations, including prototypes for film like Luke Skywalker's in Star Wars (1977) and early explorations in technology dating back to 1960. Over the decades, the consultancy evolved under subsequent leaders, including Len Martin from 2000, shifting emphasis toward model making and prototyping; today, as Ogle Models and Prototypes, it operates from a 25,000-square-foot facility in , providing , , CNC machining, and vacuum casting services to global clients in , automotive, , renewables, marine, and defense sectors, while holding ISO 9001: certification. As of 2025, the company continues to expand its capabilities, including initiatives to train aspiring model makers.

History

Founding and early years (1954–1959)

David Ogle, born in 1921, served in the Royal Navy's during , rising to the rank of and earning the Distinguished Service Cross in 1945 and the Member of the in 1946 for his piloting of Seafires in campaigns across , the Mediterranean, and southern France. After the war, Ogle studied at the Central School of Art and Design in , where he honed his skills in product aesthetics and functionality. He then entered the field of , working as a designer at starting in 1948 before contributing to product styling at Bush Radio. In 1954, Ogle founded David Ogle Associates (later known as ) in , , as a design consultancy focused on enhancing industrial and practical functionality for household and consumer products amid Britain's economic recovery and innovation surge. Backed by initial investors including racing driver Sir John Whitmore and engineer John Ogier, the firm began as a small studio emphasizing ergonomic and visually appealing solutions for everyday appliances. The consultancy's early successes centered on collaborations with manufacturers, notably Radio, which commissioned Ogle Design for its first major projects: the iconic cylindrical TR82 portable , launched in 1959 and celebrated for its compact, modern form that appealed to a youthful market, and the SRP31D record player, blending sleek lines with user-friendly operation. These designs exemplified Ogle's approach to integrating safety, portability, and stylish , contributing to the firm's reputation in the burgeoning transistor era. By the late 1950s, supported by steady clients in and appliances, the studio had grown from a handful of staff to employing multiple designers, enabling expansion into prototyping and model-making capabilities. This foundational period in household product innovation positioned Ogle Design to briefly reference its pivot toward transport design by 1959.

David Ogle era and expansion (1959–1962)

In 1959, Ogle Design, under the leadership of founder David Ogle, expanded beyond products into transport design, marking a significant shift in the firm's focus. This entry was prompted by commissions such as a study for the Electricity Council on electrically powered taxis, which highlighted Ogle's interest in applying principles to mobility solutions. Early automotive styling projects included the rebodying of a Riley 1.5 into a sleek , serving as a design exercise that demonstrated the firm's capability in vehicle aesthetics. Encouraged by these successes and building on prior innovations like radios and record players, Ogle decided to venture into small-scale car production, establishing David Ogle Ltd. in 1960 to handle manufacturing of limited-run vehicles. David Ogle's vision emphasized integrating the clean, functional aesthetics of into , aiming to showcase British innovation without reliance on foreign carrozzieria influences. He sought to create elegant, forward-thinking designs that prioritized quality and timely execution, supported by a skilled team of designers and in-house model-making facilities. To accommodate this growth, the firm relocated to larger premises in Letchworth Garden City in 1960, enabling expanded prototyping and development for transport projects. This move solidified Ogle Design's transition from static consumer goods to dynamic mobility applications, fostering a broader scope that included conceptual work on and . Ogle's direct involvement ended tragically on May 25, 1962, when he was killed in a road accident while testing an Ogle SX1000 on the A1 near Digswell Hill, en route to the circuit. The crash, which occurred at high speed, highlighted the risks of prototype testing but also underscored Ogle's hands-on commitment to his designs. In the immediate aftermath, the firm's car production activities faced challenges, leading to a gradual wind-down of manufacturing efforts as the focus returned to design consultancy.

Tom Karen era and later developments (1962–1999)

Following the death of founder David Ogle in a car accident in May 1962, was appointed managing director and chief designer of the renamed David Ogle Ltd, later , marking a pivotal transition for the firm. Born in in 1926 and having fled Nazi to Britain in 1939, Karen had studied aeronautical engineering at of Technology before working in and then transitioning to roles at Ford, , and . Under his leadership, the company ceased car production due to financial losses and refocused on consultancy services, building a reputation as a leading independent design house for product and transport projects. Karen's tenure, spanning 37 years until 1999, produced several iconic designs that defined British consumer culture in the 1960s and 1970s. The bicycle, launched in 1969, featured high-rise "ape-hanger" handlebars, a banana seat, and chopper-inspired styling drawn from American dragsters, becoming a bestseller that helped rescue Raleigh from financial difficulties and selling over two million units worldwide. In 1970, Ogle designed the three-wheeler for Reliant, a fiberglass-bodied with a distinctive orange wedge shape, flat windscreen, and removable canopy, targeted at young drivers and evoking futuristic aesthetics. Earlier in the decade, the firm contributed styling to the and BSA Rocket 3 motorcycles, redesigning prototypes with a more modern, angular look including boxy tanks and streamlined fairings to appeal to the emerging superbike market. To manage expanding clientele, including Raleigh and electronics firms like , Ogle split into dedicated product and transport divisions in 1974, allowing specialized teams to handle diverse commissions from to . This restructuring supported growth, with the firm undertaking projects for major British manufacturers and contributing to innovations in and mobility. By the late 1990s, Ogle had become a cornerstone of the British scene, its bold, functional aesthetics influencing pop culture icons and earning recognition through awards such as Karen's OBE in 2019 for services to . In 1999, the design consultancy was sold to form Ogle Noor, separating it from the prototyping and model-making operations that continued independently, allowing the firm to sustain its legacy amid industry shifts. Over Karen's era, Ogle expanded its client base to include international brands in , toys, and , solidifying its role in elevating British through practical yet visionary contributions that blended engineering precision with cultural appeal.

Modern operations and legacy (1999–present)

Following the departure of as managing director in 1999, Ogle Design restructured to focus on Ogle Models and Prototypes, emphasizing , , and model-making services primarily for the automotive and sectors. Based in , , the company has established itself as a key provider of industrial modelmaking, utilizing technologies such as (SLS), (SLA), fused deposition modeling (FDM), CNC , and vacuum casting to support product development from concept to production. This shift allowed Ogle to serve global clients by delivering high-precision prototypes on accelerated timelines, without engaging in direct vehicle manufacturing. In the 2010s and beyond, Ogle contributed to innovative projects in (EV) prototyping and . A notable example includes its collaboration with Heatherwick Studio in 2022, where Ogle employed SLA 3D printing to fabricate components for an all-electric commissioned by ; this vehicle incorporates air purification technology to remove pollutants while driving and features modular interiors adaptable as an office or bedroom. Such work highlights Ogle's role in partnering with design firms and tech-driven automotive companies to advance eco-friendly mobility solutions. As of 2025, the firm employs between 11 and 50 staff and continues to innovate in additive manufacturing, maintaining its position as a prototyping specialist amid growing demand for . Ogle's legacy endures through its foundational influence on British design during the and , when under Karen's leadership, it shaped pop culture icons like the bicycle and car, blending futuristic aesthetics with everyday functionality. Karen, who passed away on January 2, 2023, at age 96, received widespread tributes for his contributions, including an OBE in 2019 for services to design; obituaries praised his ability to infuse industrial products with playful, innovative flair that defined an era. Today, Ogle's early transport designs continue to inspire enthusiast communities, with replicas and restorations preserving their cultural impact.

Designs

Household and consumer products

Ogle Design's contributions to household and consumer products emphasized user-centered innovation, blending ergonomic functionality with aesthetic appeal to suit the mass-market demands of post-war Britain. Under the leadership of from 1962, the firm prioritized designs that were practical yet visually striking, often incorporating bold colors and novel forms to enhance everyday usability and capture public imagination. This approach reflected a broader of creating products that were both fun and functional, bridging utilitarian needs with playful elements to appeal to a burgeoning society. A hallmark of Ogle's early consumer work was its collaboration with Bush Radio, producing iconic portable transistor radios that epitomized mid-20th-century domestic entertainment. The Bush TR82, launched in 1959, featured a distinctive curved, clamshell-like casing in vibrant two-tone colors, making it a portable popular among teenagers and symbolizing the shift toward compact, stylish home audio. Evolving this lineage, the Bush TR130 series, designed by in 1966, became Britain's best-selling radio of the era, with its ergonomic handle, modular construction for easy servicing, and sleek, modern lines that prioritized portability and durability for household use. These radios not only advanced audio accessibility but also set standards for integrating form and function in consumer electronics. In the realm of toys and educational playthings, Ogle Design under Karen developed the Marble Run in the mid-1960s, a modular allowing children to build intricate tracks for marbles using colorful plastic pieces. Inspired by observing his own children with a wooden predecessor, Karen's promoted and fine motor skills, transforming simple play into an engaging, expandable system manufactured by Kiddicraft and enjoyed by millions worldwide. This product exemplified Ogle's commitment to innovative, child-centric consumer goods that encouraged imaginative interaction while maintaining safe, durable materials for home use. Ogle's household designs laid foundational principles that later influenced their industrial applications, emphasizing scalable across product categories.

Industrial and engineering designs

Ogle Design's industrial and engineering contributions in the 1950s and 1960s included a range of products such as gas ovens, heaters, exhibition stands, product packaging, vending machines, and office equipment.

Transport and mobility designs

Ogle Design's contributions to and mobility emphasized innovative styling and practical enhancements for vehicles commissioned by other manufacturers, focusing on , functionality, and emerging technologies during the and . Under Tom Karen's leadership, the firm developed designs that blended futuristic forms with everyday usability, influencing automotive trends without direct involvement in full-scale production. These projects often addressed urban mobility challenges, such as compact sizing for city driving and improved passenger access. The GT and GTE, styled by between 1964 and 1968, represented a pioneering approach to the shooting-brake format, featuring a sleek body that combined performance with estate car practicality. This design extended the rear of Reliant's earlier GT to create a versatile four-seater, emphasizing aerodynamic lines and a low roofline for enhanced visibility and style. The GTE's innovative configuration set a for luxury estates, influencing subsequent models in the segment. In 1970, Ogle Design created the distinctive wedge-shaped body for the , a three-wheeled produced by Reliant for urban use. Tom Karen's styling gave it a playful, futuristic appearance with a and vibrant color options, positioning it as an affordable, fun for young drivers amid the era's concerns. The Bug's compact dimensions and lightweight construction made it agile in city traffic, though its unconventional limited long-term market appeal. Ogle Design also shaped the visual identity of high-performance motorcycles in the late , styling the and BSA Rocket 3 with cafe racer-inspired elements. Appointed in 1968, the firm crafted angular fuel tanks, integrated fairings, and minimalist bodywork to complement the bikes' 750cc triple-cylinder engines, aiming for a modern, aggressive look that appealed to enthusiasts. These designs contributed to the machines' status as early superbikes, blending British engineering with contemporary aesthetics. During the 1970s, Ogle Design explored sustainable mobility through prototypes like the Lucas Electric Taxi, unveiled in 1975 as a forward-thinking alternative to traditional London black cabs. Styled with squared-off, boxy proportions for maximum interior space, the electric prototype featured a 216-volt and , achieving a top speed of 55 mph and a range of about 100 miles on 18 batteries. This project highlighted early efforts in zero-emission urban transport, prioritizing driver comfort and passenger accessibility.

Car Production

Riley 1.5 (1959)

The Ogle Riley 1.5 represented the firm's inaugural venture into full-scale car production, initiated in 1959 under David Ogle's leadership to transform the outdated saloon into a modern 2+2 . Drawing on Ogle Design's established expertise in industrial aesthetics from consumer products like radios and furniture, the project utilized the Riley's existing floorpan and mechanicals while introducing a bespoke glassfibre body for enhanced and style. This rebody aimed to revitalize the Riley marque amid BMC's shifting priorities, positioning the coupe as a handcrafted alternative to mass-produced saloons. Only eight units were hand-assembled at Ogle's workshops between 1959 and 1960, emphasizing meticulous craftsmanship with features including a silhouette, wraparound windscreen from the Riley, and a luxurious leather-upholstered interior for four occupants. The glassfibre construction kept weight down to approximately 890 kg, contributing to agile handling, while the extended accommodated the coupe's elongated profile without compromising the original's compact footprint of 4.19 in length. Production remained artisanal, reflecting Ogle's small-scale approach before transitioning to more volume-oriented projects. Technically, the Ogle Riley 1.5 retained the donor's 1.5-litre (1489 cc) B-Series inline-four engine, tuned to deliver around 68 at 5,400 rpm via twin SU carburettors, paired with a four-speed manual transmission and . Independent front suspension and drum brakes carried over from the Riley provided composed road manners, enabling a top speed of 88 mph and 0-60 mph in about 20 seconds—modest figures suited to grand touring rather than outright performance. These specifications underscored the car's focus on refined, enthusiast-oriented motoring over raw speed. Marketed to discerning buyers as a British GT, the Ogle Riley 1.5 garnered acclaim for its elegant design but struggled commercially due to elevated costs—exacerbated by handbuilding—and the broader decline of Riley as a distinct BMC brand. Its limited run highlighted the challenges of niche coachbuilding in a market favoring affordable economy cars, yet it established Ogle Design's automotive credentials, paving the way for subsequent innovations in transport design.

Ogle SX1000 and SX250 (1962)

The Ogle SX1000 was a front-wheel-drive sports coupé introduced in 1962, based on the platform and designed by David Ogle as an ambitious foray into low-volume car production. Approximately 66 units were hand-built at Ogle Design's facility, featuring a lightweight body that contributed to its agile handling and distinctive aerodynamic styling. The car utilized the Mini's layout with options for the standard 1000cc A-Series engine or the more powerful 997cc Cooper-tuned variant, delivering spirited performance including a top speed of up to 110 mph in Cooper S specification. Priced at £1,176 including purchase tax, it was positioned as a premium alternative to the standard Mini, roughly double the cost of a base Cooper model, though its handcrafted nature limited appeal to enthusiasts seeking a grand tourer. Early prototypes of the SX1000 explored innovative features such as gullwing doors, but production models adopted conventional side-hinged doors for practicality, paired with a fixed roof and minimalistic interior emphasizing quality trim over luxury. The transverse front-wheel-drive setup, inherited from the , provided responsive dynamics suited to the era's twisty British roads, though the construction required careful assembly to avoid structural flex. Production was labor-intensive and small-scale, relying on skilled craftsmen to mold and fit the GRP panels over the extended Mini van chassis, which measured 84 inches in for added stability. Tragedy struck on May 25, 1962, when David Ogle was killed in a road accident while driving an SX1000 to the circuit, effectively halting further development and leading to the cessation of production by late 1962. In parallel, Ogle Design pursued the SX250, a more upscale prototype built as an update to the roadster, with only two hand-assembled examples completed on the SP250's chassis and powered by its 2.5-litre hemi-head . Debuting at the 1962 Earls Court Motor Show, the SX250's sleek coupé profile caught the attention of Reliant Motor Company, which acquired the design rights in 1963; this evolved into the GT, a four-seater coupé that launched in 1964 and marked Ogle's indirect influence on a longer production run under new ownership.

References

  1. https://www.totalkitcar.com/2023/01/05/remembering-david-ogle-dsc-mbe/
  2. https://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/heritage_ogle
  3. https://www.oglemodels.com/our-history/
  4. https://www.thecomet.net/news/24147200.70th-anniversary-letchworths-ogle-models-prototypes/
  5. https://www.goodwood.com/grr/road/news/remembering-the-man-behind-the-scimitar-gte-and-the-raleigh-chopper/
  6. https://www.oglemodels.com/company/
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  21. https://3dadept.com/ogle-models-relies-on-sla-3d-printing-to-bring-environmentally-friendly-concept-car-to-life/
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  28. https://carstyling.ru/en/car/1970_bond_bug/
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  30. https://www.aronline.co.uk/concepts-and-prototypes/lucas-electric-taxi-and-limousine/
  31. https://www.aronline.co.uk/cars/riley/marques-riley/
  32. https://www.story-cars.com/1960-ogle-1-5-one-point-five
  33. https://www.carfolio.com/ogle-1.5-11418
  34. https://www.thesahb.com/slider-1963-ogle-sx1000/
  35. https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/lf12/lots/r195-1963-ogle-sx1000-gt/
  36. https://www.classiccarweekly.net/2012/10/24/ogle-sx1000/
  37. https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/october-1962/48/on-test-with-the-ogle-sx-1000/
  38. https://silodrome.com/ogle-sx1000-car/
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  40. https://www.story-cars.com/1962-ogle-sx250
  41. https://www.straight-six.co.uk/se4-history
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