Norman dewis will never forget the night he was sent on a very special nighttime mission by his bosses at jaguar. Jun 10, 2019 from 1952 to 1985 norman dewis had a hand in signing off every new jaguar, famously drove an etype overnight from coventry to geneva for its world debut and helped develop the disc brake which. The jaguar brand is synonymous with a number of big personalities. Advertisement no matter what happens, youve got to come out of it successful, he told me in our. This book is automatically also a development history of jaguar, with a wealth of new. Donations sought to help jaguar legend norman dewis obe. Both dewis and moss took the start of the 2012 mille miglia in a ctype to celebrate the 60th anniversary of their inaugural entry. Like all the best racing drivers, he had boundless selfconfidence.
As jaguars chief test driver from 195285 he developed for use on road and track cars that have passed into jaguar legend. Norman dewis began his 51 year career in the british motor industry at humber, armstrong siddeley and lea francis but is best known for his 33 years with jaguar which he joined in 1952. The edition is enriched by anecdotes about his travels to the mille miglia and numerous technical details on the evolution of the models. Developing the legend, is a fascinating and big read. In a career spanning 33 years at jaguar, norman dewis tested and developed a. Well illustrated study of jaguar race and road car development.
Watch exclusive vintage clips of the jaguar legend in action and. Jaguar test driver extraordinaire norman dewis tells brian of the development of the legendary dtype as they both purr over a fine example of this fantastic motor. Developing the legend its a very interesting read, i only hope you can find a copy for less than the price ive just seen on amazon. He wrote his autobiography, assisted by paul skilleter. Passing of norman dewis jaguar clubs of north america. Skilleter 576 pages of the memories and knowledge from the inside of the working of jaguar company and the development of the many famous models including the xk120 xk140 xk150 ctype dtype xke etype mkii mkvi mkviii mkix and more huge hardcover. In a career spanning 33 years at jaguar, norman dewis tested and developed a remarkable series of cars including.
Norman dewis of jaguar of skilleter paul, dewis norman. For the best part of an hour, norman talked enthusiastically and without the slightest hint of selfimportance. Jun 25, 2019 my former colleague norman dewis, who has died aged 98, was for most of his working life the highly respected chief test driver for jaguar, and was one of the last survivors from jaguars heyday. Former chief of engineering norman dewis obe popped into jaguar land rovers classic works for a spin in the ipace ev there are 534 cars in the james hull collection dewis gave the ipace his. Norman dewis, jaguar s legendary test driver who developed disc brakes, the dtype, and set a production car speed record of 172. Norman dewis, jaguars legendary test driver who developed disc brakes, the dtype, and set a production car speed record of 172. This page is for the worldwide friends and fans of the amazing norman dewis, one of the great jaguar characters. A personal tribute to jaguars renowned test driver, norman dewis. Norman dewis, legendary jaguar test driver, honoured with obe.
Hardcover book about the legendary norman dewis obe of jaguar cars, developing the legend by paul skilleter, 57s6 pages of the memories and knowledge from the inside workings of the jaguar company and the development of the many famous models including the xk120 xk140 xk150 ctype dtype xke etype mkii mkvi mkviii mkix and more. Dewis retired in 1985, the same year in which sir william lyons died, yet remained at jaguar for media engagements, undertaking demonstration laps at goodwood, and dtype drives to le mans. To mark the 50th anniversary of the jaguar etype this is an allnew, updated edition of a classic book that was first published in 1989 and remained in print for 20 years. The name norman dewis is inseparable from the development of the. Paul skilleter books excellence in automotive publishing. In this film he talks through some of the most incredible moments in automotive history. Norman dewis is the author of norman dewis of jaguar 0. Norman dewis obe 3 august 1920 8 june 2019 was a british car test driver, who was the chief test driver and development engineer for jaguar cars from 1952 to 1985. Skilleter in the introduction to his book, norman dewis of jaguar. He was the lad who left school at 14 to work at humber and then armstrong siddeley, built and raced his own f3 car, and then persuaded bill heynes, jaguar s chief engineer and effectively the no 2 to autocratic boss bill lyons, to take him on not, as norman was always quick to point out, as test driver, but as test development engineer. Cars that rock series 2 norman dewis the history of d. The etype was, and still is, a uniquely charismatic and important british sports car. Jaguar recreates mans 1961 dash to geneva with first e. Norman dewis obe 3rd august 1920 8 june 2019 norman dewis as most of us remember him, his sparkling character showing through in this portrait by tony bailey as a test development driver, norman dewis played a significant role in jaguar s five le mans wins of the 1950s, and in the success of legendary jaguars such as the etype and xj6.
In 1952, norman began his long career at jaguar, hiring on as their chief test development engineer, reporting directly to bill heynes. As jaguar s chief test driver from 195285 he developed for use on road and track cars that have passed into jaguar legend. Today is an enormously sad day for the jaguar brand, jaguar fans worldwide, and for me personally. My former colleague norman dewis, who has died aged 98, was for most of his working life the highly respected chief test driver for jaguar, and was one of the last survivors from jaguar.
I have had the great pleasure of reading the story of norman dewiss legendary work with jaguar. There are well over lots ranging from the prewar ss cars era right through to the modern xj saloons. Jaguar dtype le mans 1957 123 finishers are reunited for the first time in 60 years with chief test driver norman dewis. This superb book stands in the front rank of the jaguar library as a testament to years of diligent research and scholarship. From 1952 to 1985 norman dewis had a hand in signing off every new jaguar, famously drove an etype overnight from coventry to geneva for its. The book starts with normans early years working for humber and also leafrancis. In retirement norman became an ambassador for jaguar worldwide, making numerous trips to the us, often driving one of the classic racers.
Norman dewis obe 3 august 1920 8 june 2019 was a british car test driver, who was the test driver for jaguar cars from 1952 to 1985. A personal view this entry was posted in july 2019 news personnel and personalities on 10th june 2019 by letitia mace having dinner in norway with a group of jaguar friends, which included gier and kari folkeolsen, we received the very sad news from tony okeeffe that norman had passed away peacefully 20 minutes previously. Norman dewis was a true legend and his stories are amazing. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The incredible story of norman dewis classic driver magazine. I remember taking my lad to browns lane for a jaguar event,probably around 2005ish, norman was the most entertaining speaker we listened to. Due to remarkable worldwide demand this book has now been reprinted six times. The great jaguar test driver and incredible friend of ours, norman dewis, has passed away aged 98.
Norman dewis, the man who developed jaguars iconic ctype, dtype, xke, mk ii and xj saloon, has died aged 98 today, the classic car world is in mourning. This incredible book runs over 550 pages and covers the life and times of norman dewis from. Norman was jaguar s chief test development engineer from 1952 to 1985, but his career in the motor industry started way back in 1934 at humber, although he soon transferred to armstrong siddeley where he worked until war broke out. The catalogue opens with over 300 lots from the collection of norman dewis obe, which. May 20, 2015 norman dewis of jaguar developing the legend. Details about norman dewis of jaguar motor racing book. A personal tribute to jaguars renowned test driver. Norman dewis obe 3rd august 1920 8 june 2019 norman dewis as most of us remember him, his sparkling character showing through in this portrait by tony bailey as a test development driver, norman dewis played a significant role in jaguars five le mans wins of the 1950s, and in the success of legendary jaguars such as the etype and xj6. At jaguar, we were always a step ahead of the other manufacturers, and i felt very fortunate to be chief test engineer at the time, with so much responsibility for developing, testing and signing off the cars.
All at petrolicious are very sad to learn that jaguar legend norman dewis is not in the best of health at the moment. Norman dewis obituary jaguar land rover the guardian. Norman dewis of jaguar developing the legend paul skilleter norman dewis. One of the great jaguar characters who worked for sir william lyons. Developing the legend by skilleter, paul, dewis, norman isbn. There was a brief mention a few weeks back on the forum regarding norman dewis,the gentleman has now retired to the great racetrack in the sky. Dewis drove a jaguar dtype in the 1955 24 hours of le mans, with don beauman. This is a story both of personal achievement and of a heroic period in jaguar s history. Please make the reference norman dewis obe trust fund. Norman dewis obe, jaguar test driver, who in a 33year career at the coventry car maker played a key role in the development of the disc brake, has died aged 98. But although he looked the part, and was as fast as the superstars he befriended at jaguar, dewis was not a racing driver.
This incredible book runs over 550 pages and covers the life and times of norman dewis from his early days with the humber car company up to his. Any donations can be paid into the trust fund account. The car failed to finish the race, retiring 106 laps into the race. Norman s name will quite rightly go down in jaguar history. Unfortunately one of the mira people leaked the story to the coventry evening telegraph, and nan read mr norman dewis crashes experimental vehicle at 140mph. Norman dewis, legendary jaguar test driver, honoured with obe duration. Coauthored by john elmgreen and terry mcgrath, two luminaries of the australian jaguar scene, this book was published in new south wales in 1985. What was it like to be involved in jaguar s many race wins at the time including those five wins in the le mans 24 hours. And as test driver, he was given a multitude of tasks, including one. It was two more years before the badly damaged monocoque was rebuilt, and the xj ultimately became part of the jaguar daimler heritage trust. Jun 12, 2015 legendary test driver norman dewis tells brian what jaguar paid him in 1952 to work for themand then for racing for them in le mans brian is staggered. He was a key element in the success of the le mans winning c types and d types and in a stream of production cars including the xk140 and xk150, the 2. Dewis is widely considered as britains greatest test driver, and in a career spanning 33 years he tested and developed a host of famous jaguar cars in an era considered a golden age of jaguar motorsport success as well as a golden age for motorsport more broadly.
It is fascinating to read about how norman got his start in the british automotive industry in 1934 at the young age of 14, due to the untimely death of his father. This is a story both of personal achievement and of a heroic period in jaguars history. Auction archives archive jaguar automobilia collector. Norman dewis obe, jaguars legendary test driver, has died.
Norman dewis, the longtime development driver for jaguar who had a hand in creating everything from the ctype to the xj6, and who played a role in. Like all the best racing drivers, norman dewis was a stocky little man. Nov 27, 2014 the name norman dewis is inseparable from the development of the jaguar brand between 1952, when he joined the company, and 1985 when he finally retired, so you might think that making light conversation on subjects other than jaguar would be challenging. The former test driver was ordered to get one of the first jaguar. Bestknown for his 33 years with jaguar, however, norman joined the company in 1952 charged by chief engineer bill heynes with developing all. Jan 08, 2015 the legendary and much loved jaguar test driver, norman dewis is honoured with an obe order of the british empire from the queen. My former colleague norman dewis, who has died aged 98, was for most of his working life the highly respected chief test driver for jaguar.
Norman dewis obe 3 august 1920 8 june 2019 was a british car test driver, who was the test driver for jaguar. Cars that rock series 2 norman dewis on his 1950s jaguar. The longawaited biography of renowned jaguar test development engineer and works team driver norman dewis was originally published in 2006 and has just been reprinted in 2017 with a new jacket and updated text to include norman s award of an obe order of the british empire for his development work at jaguar and ambassadorial duties worldwide. In a career spanning 33 years at jaguar, norman dewis tested and. Details are natwest bank, account number 15094030 and sort code 010085. Barbecue cookery panther books, norman, cecilia, very good. The longawaited biography of renowned jaguar test development engineer and works team driver norman dewis was originally published in 2006 and has just been reprinted in 2017 with a new jacket and updated text to include norman s award of an obe order of the british empire for his development work at jaguar. Norman dewis of jaguar developing the legend signed by. Books, dvds and technical publications jaguar daimler. Book jaguar norman dewis of jaguar developing the legend signed by p. See all formats and editions hide other formats and editions.
The name norman dewis is inseparable from the development of the jaguar brand between 1952, when he joined the company, and 1985 when he finally retired, so you might think that making light conversation on subjects other than jaguar would be challenging. Norman dewis, the legendary jaguar test and racing driver, has passed away. Details about book jaguar norman dewis of jaguar developing the legend signed by p. At work with norman dewis, jaguar land rovers legendary. Norman dewis of jaguar developing the legend books pbfa. The story of norman dewis, test pilot that in 33 years of dedication to the jaguar has contributed to the development of the most famous cars of the brand. Dewis participated in the development of the following cars. Norman dewis of jaguar developing the legend by paul skilleter with norman dewis pj publishing ltd, reprint 2014. Norman dewis began his 51year career in the british motor industry at humber and armstrongsiddeley, and then, after serving in the raf during world war 2, he became chief tester at leafrancis. Norman dewis, who would go on to become jaguar s chief test driver for more than 30 years, was the man tasked with driving a muchmodified jaguar xk120 on a closed section of motorway in belgium to try to eclipse the record of 150.
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