Biographical Data - N

Nash, Ralph

Ralph Nash is responsible for the rally cars of the "P6" series. He also conducts the testing of the "TC" models before going into series production. He has no idea about rallying, he was head of technical operations (the rally department becomes the side branch of technical operations).
In 1964 Nash becomes head of the experimental workshop. [⇒ Martin-Hurst] causes him to install the V8 engine in the "P6".

Newsome, Bush

Bush Newsome takes part in the TT race on the Isle of Man at ROVER in 1914. With [ ⇒ A. J. Lindsay] and [ ⇒ Douglas Brown] he becomes team winner.

Nichols, Cyril

Cyril Nichols is in 1958 head of the Jig-Shop (device construction) at ROVER.

Noble, Dudley

Dudley Noble is a journalist. In 1910 he works as a temporary assistant at the Cycle and Motorcycle-Show in London.
"I decided on the spot to honour ROVER with my services - although they didn't know it yet."
In 1911 he joins ROVER as a motorcycle tester. He calls the Knight engine a "total failure".
A short time later he will be advertising and PR director.
 
In 1913 he waits in vain for [⇒ Dr. Rudolf Diesel], who with the plans of his engine had fallen (?) off board the SS Dresden . Noble has a photograph of Diesel with him, a letter of introduction from the ROVER board and the strict order to bring Diesel to Coventry.
 
In 1924 he organizes a trip with the slow selling ROVER "Nine" to show how far the car can go for 5 pounds - including spare parts costs, excluding labour costs.
The distance covered is 3,435 kilometres. Victor Bruce, later (1926) rally winner in Monte Carlo, complained that this was only possible thanks to the British speed limit of 32 km/hr. Noble repeats the drive in France and achieves the same result with an average of 48 km/h. Both trips took place under the supervision of RAC.
After this success in publicity, his advertising budget will increase significantly.
 
In 1930 Noble contests the race against the "Train bleu" from St. Raphael to Calais. The idea was his, the Daily Express turns it out as great success. Only the ROVER board of directors is indignant, they believe that the success of publicity is too vulgar.

Nuffield, Lord

Lord Nuffield of Oxford is the ennobled William Morris.
1939 he unites the companies Morris, MG, Riley and Wolseley to Nuffield group.