Ron Harrop Fixes Car Engineering Issues
Ron Harrop is a name that’s synonymous with solving car engineering problems. When the team at Holden Design needed help with the EFIJY concept car in 2004, they knew exactly who to recruit for the job. The same had happened in the 1960s when Norm Beechey needed someone to tame the wayward behavior of his Chevrolet Nova. Ron Harrop provided the fix.
Harrop’s main work for over 60 years has been in high-performance road and racing cars, but he has also designed parts for high-end sound systems and a super-stable hospital trolley to carry surgical tools. He’s another of Australia’s hands-on automotive artisans. His work on the wheels and axles for the Tangara trains in NSW is also notable.
Harrop’s talent and work ethic were inherited from his father Len, and something he has passed on to following generations through training workshop staff and his own hands-on example.
He’s had a lifetime of tinkering and problem-solving, which began with Meccano toys and jumped quickly to go-karts in his teens. This background has served him well in his career.
Harrop’s competition career moved from drag racing to circuit racing, driving a mate’s EH Holden on the road course at Calder.
He worked with his father at the family business, LM Harrop Engineering in Brunswick.
Later, on the racing side, he ran into legendary touring car racer and showman Norm Beechey.
He was still able to think through problems, design a solution, and then have it made.
He’s currently working on direct injection fuel pumps for a company in the US, a job that’s turned into a big project. Harrop has been working on it for about 18 months.
His car choices include a Porsche Macan as a daily driver, as well as a BMW 645Ci, one of the first in the country in 2004. Harrop’s enthusiasm for problem-solving has led to many opportunities, and he’s always been willing to take on new challenges.
As he says, “I’ve always had enthusiasm to do things, so people have given me the opportunity. They say ‘Can you do that?’ and I say yes. And then I think, goodness, make sure you don’t mess it up and it usually comes out pretty good.”
One reason Harrop’s work is notable is that it showcases the importance of hands-on experience and problem-solving skills in the automotive industry. By combining his technical knowledge with a passion for racing and engineering, Harrop has been able to make a lasting impact on the field.
His legacy continues to inspire new generations of engineers and racing enthusiasts. It is a direct result of his dedication and hard work.
Now, at 80 years old and fighting cancer, Harrop is still likely to be found in the shed at his property in Kilmore, working on his latest project. His dedication to his craft is clear in the way he approaches each new challenge.
He is restoring his old drag racing car, the Howler. Harrop is proving that even in his later years, he’s still got the passion and skills to take on new challenges.
His love for engineering and problem-solving drives him to continue working on new projects.
