11 replies to this topic

[Henri Greuter]

To whom it may concern,

 

A number of attendants of the Goodwood Festival Of Speed in the early years won't remember the name and the man, but they will remember the cars he brought to the Goodwood Festival of Speed. One in particular became a crowd favourite for a long time.

 

Buck Boudeman owned the Miller "Golden Submarine" replica that was an idol for many spectators at Goodwood.

He also brought a Stanley Steamer racer.

 

He owned the seond Front drive Blue Crown that has been at the festival at least once (1996)

He also owned the 1946 built Novi Front Wheel Drive that made its first ever public appearance since 1953 (after the Chet Miller fatal crash) at Goodwood in 1998. As late as in 2011, that Novi was running on the hill in England.

 

Buck Boudeman was an extra-ordinary car historian, gifted with extra-ordinary knowledge and a most likeable person.

He enjoyed bringing out his prized posessions and was a great preserver of Harry Miller artefacts.

 

 

On Sept. 23, Buck has died.

He will be missed by many, family, friends, fellow car historians and race car fans who knew him and his cars.

 

Rest in peace Buck and thanks for the wonderful memories you created and the ones you helped to keep alive.

 

 

 

Henri Greuter

Edited by Henri Greuter, 06 October 2014 - 11:32.

[bradbury west]

I am  sad to hear this. I met him at the FoS the last time he was over. We spoke on the Thursday setting up day so he had plenty of time to chat.  What a nice man he was, willing to go into lots of detail about his cars, indulging, diplomatically, the no doubt dumb questions asked by myself, as if we had all the time in the world. I got the impression that he was not an exceptionally wealthy man so the work he did with the Golden Submarine and his others was all the more creditworthy. He was clearly a talented engineer, a diehard enthusiast,  and  "one of us"..

RIP

Roger Lund

 

 

 

edit. spelling

Edited by bradbury west, 06 October 2014 - 12:36.

[Tim Murray]

I'm very sorry to learn this. I accosted him at one FoS when I found him standing beside the Golden Submarine, and he was only too happy to engage in a long discussion about the car, and Miller history, with someone he didn't know from Adam. He was a lovely, friendly guy, and I'm sorry I only got to meet him the once. RIP Buck.

[Alan Cox]

I, too, remember him from the early days of the FoS. In the year that he brought the Stanley Steamer, I showed him some photographs that I had taken of him in previous years and he showed interest and was very generous with the time he spent talking to me about the steamer. He even gave me a booklet he had prepared about the car which I have to this day. A very friendly chap, as Tim said. Very sorry to learn this news. RIP Buck .

[2F-001]

I too have a fond memory of Mr Boudeman at the FoS - at least I believed it was he, although he seemed of no very great age to me; I think it was 1997 (or thereabouts). He was most friendly and accommodating and after noting my interest in the Golden Submarine, he gave me a comb-bound booklet which was a collection of reproductions of magazine articles (some contemporary to the car), pictures, line drawings and other notes relating to it.

Having grown up more steeped in the history of European (and specifically British) circuit and road racing, it was that document as much as anything which prompted me to pay a little more attention to the American tradition and to appreciate just how sophisticated the early racing engineering from across the pond could be.

I suppose that was both Mr Boudeman and the FoS fulfilling a goal.

Thank you, Buck, for sharing your time and enthusiasm so generously.

Edited by 2F-001, 06 October 2014 - 13:30.

[Henri Greuter]

Allow me to share one story involving Buck and the FoS.

 

I met him (again) in the Summer of 1996 and he told enthusiastically about the FoS, having been there with his Blue Crown and the Golden Sub. At that time the Novi he also had was still in need for lots of restoration work. I asked him if, when the Novi was finished he would suggest to Lord March to bring that car over. He told me that the car needed too much work right now and that he doubted if the FoS was willing to have a car on display that had killed two drivers. I replied to him that I could envision a scenario that FoS would be most happy to see the Novi if not actually persuade him to bring the car over once they knew that he owned it.

Buck did not believe it would happen but he promised me on the spot that, if I contacted Lord March with my suggestion and if as a result of that he would be asked to bring over the Novi that he would speed up the restoration job and have the car ready and done as soon as possible. Because such an invitation would definitely motivate him to get it done at last.

The handshake he gave while making that promise felt like a contract.

 

Late August '96 I contacted the Earl of March with my suggestion, and their reiply was that they liked the idea very much and would inquire with Buck about the condition of the Novi to make my idea happen.

Eventually I got the news that 1997 would be too early but that the FoS worked on getting the other cars involved with my idea to attend as well and that Buck had promised the FoS organisation that the Novi would be ready and coming to Britain for the 1998 event.

 

And indeed, it was there, accompanied by the most legendary Novi driver of the time still alive; Duke Nalon.

For good measure, the British built Ferguson-Novi P104 had come along to Britain as well, for its first ever return trip to its country of origin since delivery to its US owners in March 1964. Regrettably, the third car that was part of my plan could not attend: the Ferguson P99 could not be "freed up" to meet its younger brother.

 

To my knowledge, Boudeman and the Novi have been back at least two more times but regrettably I wasn't there to see them again.

 

Buck loved the FoS, the other tributes paid to him in this thread approve that beyond doubt.

 

 

Henri

[Jerry Entin]

Henri Greuter next to Buck Boudeman's Novi

Henri was helping Buck and Constance Boudeman show the car at Indy a few years back.

I walked up to Henri and said Hi. He said Jerry it's me your friend Henri, that was the first time I had seen Henri in person. Buck Boudeman is seated in the picture and his wife Constance is bending down to talk to him.This was a very nice occasion.

Edited by Jerry Entin, 08 October 2014 - 04:21.

[Michael Ferner]

Bad news, indeed. Very sad that there will never be an opportunity to meet the man...

[Henri Greuter]

Bad news, indeed. Very sad that there will never be an opportunity to meet the man...

 

Michael, you, and many others are denied a treat.

 

 

@Jerry Entin,  Thanks a lot, that was indeed a great day to remember too.

 

 

Henri

[Doug Nye]

Rest easy Buck - unforgettable...a great enthusiast who really relished sharing that enthusiasm.  As expressed above - one of us.

 

DCN

[szautke]

Very sad news Henri.

 

He was a big supporter of the Harry Miller Club in the early years and we'll always cherish the memories of him and his wonderful cars.

[Jerry Entin]

Buck Boudeman doing what he loved best.

Here he is letting the next generation enjoy the Golden Submarine. This was from last year at my friend Bill Wiswedel's End of Summer Party and the little girl is Bill's grand daughter Gracie Jo Cottrell.

Edited by Jerry Entin, 08 October 2014 - 04:15.