Peter August Poppe

Peter August Poppe (born 17 August 1870 in Skogn in Nord-Trøndelag, died 13 February 1933) was a Norwegian engineer active as a developer of engines for the British car industry.

Poppe graduated from Horten Technical School and was employed by Kongsberg weapons factory and later loaned to a weapons factory, Steyr Mannlicher, in Steyr in Austria. In August 1897 he met with Alfred James White, who was trained as a watchmaker.

In September 1899 Alfred James White and Poppe together created White and Poppe in Coventry in England. Peter August Poppe was technical director. They produced engines in many sizes, but also motorcycles from 1902 to 1922. V-twins first and by 1906 one 489 cc vertical twin. They supplied engines for many motorcycle manufacturers, 1918 also two-strokes. Achilles and Premier used W & P engines, and the first Ariel had also W & P engines. Ariel purchased the production rights to a 482 cm motor from W & P. It was produced with a slightly larger bore to 1925. W & P had its own self-developed carburetor, and they made most of the first Morris Oxford cars.

In 1920 White sold his share to Dennis Bros of Guildford. Poppe remained with the business until 1923 then joined Rover as chief engineer until 1929. He was elected as a member of the Institution of Automobile Engineers in 1923 and participated in the meeting in 1927.

Peter August Poppe had a stroke and died suddenly and unexpectedly 13 February 1933, 62 years old.

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