Peter August Poppe (17 August 1870 – 13 February 1933) was a Norwegian-born engineer, designer and developer of engines and complete motor vehicles for the British motor industry. He was a co-founder of the engine manufacturer White and Poppe.
Biography Poppe was born at Skogn in Nord-Trøndelag, Norway. He graduated from Horten Technical School (Horten tekniske skole) in Vestfold. He was employed by Kongsberg Gruppen and later lent by them to the weapons factory, Steyr Mannlicher at Steyr, Austria.Damien Kimberley, Coventry's Motorcar Heritage, The History Press, 2012 Stroud
In August 1897 he met with trained watchmaker Alfred James White, son of English watchmaker Joseph White (1836–1906). In September 1899, with financial backing from the White family, they incorporated White and Poppe Limited and started in business in Coventry, England.to carry on the business of manufacturers, vendors, and factors of and dealers in gas, steam, oil, or electric motors or engines, and other component parts and accessories, etc.New Issue, The Automotor Journal, page 47, October 1899 Peter August Poppe was technical director. In November 1919 the White family sold their share to steady customers, Dennis Brothers Limited of Guildford. Poppe remained with the business until 1923 then joined the Rover Company as chief engineer.
It is claimed that after the Armistice in 1918 Poppe's partner, White, was offered a knighthood which he declined because Poppe, as a foreign national, was unable to receive the same honour.BBC accessed 30 August 2017
He had been elected a member of the Institution of Automobile Engineers by 1909.Proceeding Proceedings of the session, Institution of Automobile Engineers v.4 1909/1910
Poppe put into production at Rover his already-completed design for a new 2-litre car, which became their 14/45. Poppe's new engine was considered very advanced but complex, particularly in its valve gear. There were numerous other smaller complexities as well. The resulting car, though comfortable, was heavy and considered underpowered.Malcolm Bobbit. Rover P4, Veloce 2002 Within twelve months Rover had added a 2.4-litre 16/50 to their range, a sister car with a larger engine. They were a disaster for Rover, expensive to build and not popular with customers; around 2,000 were built. In response, Poppe designed another car with a 2-litre six-cylinder engine but similar results. His last design became the foundation of all Rover engines until 1948.
In 1929, he fell out with managing director Frank Searle and left in September of that year.
Poppe had a stroke and died suddenly at Coventry on 13 February 1933, aged 62.Deaths. The Times, Wednesday, Feb 15, 1933; pg. 1; Issue 46369. His wife had predeceased him by five years.
Family Eldest son Erling Poppe was a motorcycle designer. Olaf Poppe was Rover's chief planning engineer in 1949Correspondence. MotorSport Magazine, page 60, January 1975 and was also one of the team that developed Rover's gas turbines.Correspondence. MotorSport Magazine, page 89, November 1976. In the same period Gunnar Poppe was works manager for Sunbeam-Talbot, having joined the Rootes Group after ten years (1923 to 1932) with Austin. He was captain of the London Welsh Rugby fifteen.R J Wyatt, The Motor for the Million: the Austin Seven, 1922-1939 Page 81, David and Charles, 1972
Notes
References