19 replies to this topic

[Barry Boor]

My poor French seems to have picked up the information that Robert Manzon has passed away.

Or have I mis-translated?

[Automobiliart]

Sadly, it's true.
97 years old! Impressive!

[Tim Murray]

Indeed:

http://www.lequipe.f...t-manzon/529476

Very sad news. Condolences to his family and friends.

Edited by Tim Murray, 19 January 2015 - 17:45.

[Alan Cox]

Sorry to learn this. I was fortunate enough to meet him in Angouleme in 1999 and in spite of my poor French, found him a quite charming fellow.

[GMiranda]

RIP

[Glengavel]

The last remaining driver from the 1950 season.

 

Stirling Moss is now the 'earliest' living F1 driver, although not the oldest (Robert La Caze, 97).

[Richard Jenkins]

Always a driver who I felt was underrated. His longetivity allowed the balance to be redressed somewhat as there was renewed focus on him. Truly an end of an era, deaths like these. 97 is a wonderful age to get to, especially when you consider he nearly perished before the World Championship began.
Adieu Robert Manzon

[wsp77]

Sad news indeed. 

[ensign14]

It took two World Champions in an epochal car to stop him winning at Spa in 1952 in a Gordini.  Quietly impressive performance.  RIP Robert.

[raceannouncer2003]

Very sorry to hear this.  I had meant to write and ask for his autograph to go with my Gordini and Ferrari 375 Plus, but never got around to it.  Another hero gone...

 

Vince H.

Edited by raceannouncer2003, 20 January 2015 - 06:49.

[Jimisgod]

The last remaining driver from the 1950 season.

Stirling Moss is now the 'earliest' living F1 driver, although not the oldest (Robert La Caze, 97).

Who are the next oldest and earliest?

[Richard Jenkins]

Who are the next oldest and earliest?

Andre Guelfi and Eric Thompson both born in 1919. Thompson is also, with Ken McAlpine, the next earliest from 1952.

[Vitesse2]

Interesting to note that the three oldest are all 'one hit wonders' and that the two oldest had their only race in the same event.

[EvDelft]

R.I.P Robert...

[Jimisgod]

Andre Guelfi and Eric Thompson both born in 1919. Thompson is also, with Ken McAlpine, the next earliest from 1952.

So Moss is the last driver of the 1951 season?

[Vitesse2]

So Moss is the last driver of the 1951 season?

Yes. Moss, Thompson and McAlpine are the last three from 1952. And Moss, McAlpine, Hans Herrmann and Ian Stewart are the only surviving drivers who took part in the 1953 season.

 

The StatsF1 website has a listing by age - but omits both Guelfi and La Caze, on the grounds that they were driving F2 cars in an F1 race!

 

http://www.statsf1.c...e/gp/doyen.aspx

[Eric Dunsdon]

A fine driver, very under rated. I was fortunate enough to see him race several times.  Just to survive so many races in the 1950's was quite an achievement.

 

[Ian Stewart]

I can't claim to have known him, but we were on friendly "nodding terms" thanks to Peter Whitehead.  What a wonderful age to have reached after so many risks.

 

Puzzled by the Autosport photograph of the French blue Maserati.  A one-off drive, or a team car?

[Vitesse2]

That 'Maserati' is actually a Gordini T32, Ian.

[Ian Stewart]

Guilty as charged !

 

Beautiful bit of machinery for all that.......