I've come across articles and books by this chap on many occasions - always readable, very well researched stuff, but apart from him being something of an MG buff, I don't actually know much about him. He was brought back to my mind by a nice article he wrote on Betty Haig, that I found in an old Classic and Sportscar. A quick search on here revealed that he wrote for Autosport at one stage. Can anyone tell me more? Is he still with us?
Wilson McComb
Started by
ian senior
, Aug 10 2005 09:56
6 replies to this topic
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#2
ian senior
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Posted 10 August 2005 - 09:58
I do of course mean WILSON McComb, and although I can edit, I can't seem to change the title!
#3
petefenelon
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Posted 10 August 2005 - 10:18
As far as I recall McComb was MG's PR manager in the 50s/60s, so his writing on the marque is detailed if not entirely unbiased... I believe he died some time ago, the last edition of MG by McComb was updated by Jonathan Wood.
(In fact, he appears to have died in '89, before the 'revival' of MG).
(In fact, he appears to have died in '89, before the 'revival' of MG).
#4
David McKinney
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Posted 10 August 2005 - 10:40
Isn't there a second Wilson McComb with motorsport connections? Presumably a son?
#5
Ian Stewart
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Posted 10 August 2005 - 10:46
F. Wilson McComb.
Remember him well. Tall, likeable man. Assistant Editor of Autosport in the 'fifties. Must have died quite young because he can't have been more than five years older than me.
Sorry, not much help I'm afraid.
Remember him well. Tall, likeable man. Assistant Editor of Autosport in the 'fifties. Must have died quite young because he can't have been more than five years older than me.
Sorry, not much help I'm afraid.
#6
David Birchall
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Posted 10 August 2005 - 15:28
From his book " MG by McComb":
"F.Wilson McComb has unrivalled qualifications to write the M.G. Story. Apart from being a 'full time sports car enthusiast' he has been a motoring journalist for thirty years. [writing in 1978] For ten years he worked for the M.G. Car Company Limited, being employed there t start and edit the company magazine Safety Fast. He was gGeneral Secretary of the international M.G. Car Club and started the MGCC Vintage Register. He has both raced and restored M.G.s too. In short he is more steeped in M.G. lore tha any other professional writer. Yet Wilson is a professional writer who will not let the truth lie sleeping under a veil of blind enthusiasm.
He had long spells with Autosport and Autocourse and a successful freelancing career has since involved him with Car Classics and Old Cars, amongst others."
Certainly his "M.G. By McComb" should be on every enthusiasts bookshelf.
David B
"F.Wilson McComb has unrivalled qualifications to write the M.G. Story. Apart from being a 'full time sports car enthusiast' he has been a motoring journalist for thirty years. [writing in 1978] For ten years he worked for the M.G. Car Company Limited, being employed there t start and edit the company magazine Safety Fast. He was gGeneral Secretary of the international M.G. Car Club and started the MGCC Vintage Register. He has both raced and restored M.G.s too. In short he is more steeped in M.G. lore tha any other professional writer. Yet Wilson is a professional writer who will not let the truth lie sleeping under a veil of blind enthusiasm.
He had long spells with Autosport and Autocourse and a successful freelancing career has since involved him with Car Classics and Old Cars, amongst others."
Certainly his "M.G. By McComb" should be on every enthusiasts bookshelf.
David B
#7
Barry Lake
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Posted 11 August 2005 - 05:04
Originally posted by Ian Stewart
F. Wilson McComb.
Remember him well. Tall, likeable man. Assistant Editor of Autosport in the 'fifties. Must have died quite young because he can't have been more than five years older than me.
Sorry, not much help I'm afraid.
F Wilson McComb
Born Ulster, Northern Ireland, 9 February 1927;
Married Caroline Nostrand, a US photo journalist 24 February 1978;
Died East Marden, Sussex, 19 April 1989, aged 62.
All information from Automobile History Day by Day.
