Interview: Bill Sadler

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the Canadian industries of aerospace and racecar design were at the forefront of a new wave of industrial design. Avro Aviation engineer James C. Floyd had come up with the CF 105 Avro Arrow, a 1500-mph delta-winged fighter aircraft, and Bill Sadler had created a series of sports racing cars that were distinguished by advanced design on a budget that would not have covered Enzo Ferrari’s office supplies. All of a sudden, however, it all came to an end. The Avro Arrow’s cancellation in February of 1959, and Sadler’s departure from racing in the fall of 1961 meant that much more than jobs were lost. A potential Canadian aerospace industry went south—literally—as many Avro engineers joined NASA for the moon missions, and Sadler went south too, to Tri-State College and an engineering degree with such high marks that they earned him a full scholarship to MIT in electrical engineering. From there, Bill went to Area 51, working for General Dynamics on tasks he still cannot discuss even today. This interview by John Wright, however, is the result of conversations over many years, and will target Sadler’s racecars and his own career in racing.

VR: Can you begin by telling us about your early engineering exploits?