Out In Front - The Leslie Ballamy Story

By: Tony Russell .

Leslie Mark Ballamy or 'L.M.B.', as he was known, was an intuitive, inspired and brilliant engineer who had considerable influence on all well-known names from the golden past of British motor sport like Malcolm Campbell, Whitney Straight, Dick Seaman, George Brough, Adrian Conan-Doyle, Sydney Allard and Colin Chapman.

Ballamy is most remembered for designing and developing front-axle independent suspension systems for 'sit up and beg' Ford Populars, but that was only a small part of the story.

What is less known is that he also influenced the design of sports and racing cars, experimental engines and transmissions, motorcycles and supercharger installations.

In later years he invented a car for the disabled, carpet tufting machines, tube bending equipment and even golf training simulators.

He had an idealistic and highly focused technical mind, often stubborn, forever charismatic, but always fascinating. This is his story.

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