My name is Richard Sweeney,
I’m an MEng Automotive Engineer and currently in my final year of study. I have
completed a year’s undergraduate placement working as a vehicle conversions
engineer at Millbrook Proving Ground. In addition to this I have also led as
the EFi system engineer for the University of Brighton’s 2018 Formula student
team in parallel to achieving a First Class BEng degree.
I’m driven by a hands on passion
for Mechanics which has stemmed from as
early as I can remember, and it is this which continues to lead me towards the
prospects of achieving Engineering chartership in the near future.
The roots of the Humber Pig
project originate from a 1994 Golf VR6 which I was finally allowed
the age of 14. Having left ownership of my father due to the extent
of its mechanical issues I had discovered that it was in fact due to be
scrapped from the college of further education premises where it had been assigned
as a donor vehicle for the mechanics apprenticeship course.
Whilst working on the VR6 replacing
the worn timing chains a friend of the family came and asked me to look
at a Humber Pig which he had kept in a field,
unprotected from the elements for the previous 8 years. From my first viewing of the Pig in
the field it was clear that a large majority of items were missing, seized and broken,
and restoration seemed
almost unfeasible however the fundamentals of the Rolls Royce engine and incredible history made it no question in my mind.
Acknowledgements
A project such as this can’t be completed without a
network of people to provide support, whether it be in logistics, technical
advice, tooling, spares supply or just a laugh along the way when things get more
challenging.
For this I’d like to not only thank my friends and
family but: Chris Jinks - for giving me the Humber Pig to restore, Clive Elliot - for
his technical support with Humber Pig specifics, Steve, Tony and Don at Commercial Trade Centre L.T.D - for their support whether it be lending tools, using their garage or giving
technical advice and all others who have contributed in some way to the project.
