18 replies to this topic

[tali1]

Ronnie Spain who wrote GT40: An Individual History - i can't seem to find any more info on him , other than this is the only book he wrote
I don't think he was involved in original GT40 development?
So has anyone more info on him- is he involved in motorsport?

[Mistron]

Doug Nye will no doubt give a more experienced view of Ronnie, but from my experience of him in the early 2000's, Ronnie is just about the most 'un- motorsport' person you could imagine. 'by day' he is (or at least was) a truck mechanic, and I think a gardner?. He is from Ayrshire in west scotland.

He came across to me as very modest about his own depth of knowledge, and despite the fact that his opinion on the cars can have a huge influence on the prices paid, he is absolutely 'straight' in his opinions of the cars he asseses as he bases his opinion on many many years of dedicated research and an incredible depth of knowledge of the cars and their make up, not 'who the owner is'.

If you met Ronnie you would find it quite funny to think that he has some very wealthy collectors flying him all over the world. That is not to do him down in any way, but he just isn't like your average 'published marque authority' in the classic car field. He's more jeans and trainers than cords and loafers, if you know what I mean?. For many years the publication of the revised edition of the book was delayed as 'his computer broke'!

I have to say, I liked Ronnie a lot. (not just 'cause he's a fellow Scot)

I think the reprint of the book which came out in the early 2000's was simply a reprint of the original, not updated, and may well have been released without his knowledge / consent / aproval?

He was not involved in any way with the cars when they were built, but he does work quite closely with John Etheridge who was at FAV throughout the period of the cars design and racing lives.

Between them they have an incredible amount of technical and historical knowledge.

I think Ronnie's knowledge is pretty specifically focussed on the Gt40 programme, but over the years has come to encompass any other info on races, drivers, etc who were involved with the GT40s which he has come accross in the course of his research. He sent me a load of info on Ken Simmonds and his car 'the Mysteron' when it was wrongly speculated by a magazine that it was in some way connected to a car I owned at the time . Ronnie had recorded the info 'cause Ken had driven GT40s.

I last spoke to him back in '04/'05 I think. no idea how he is or what he's been up to since though.

Edited by Mistron, 06 August 2010 - 19:24.

[Doug Nye]

Big, hairy, ginger - massively knowledgeable - talks 14 to the dozen - tends not to pause to permit conversation - very nice guy - good bloke - in my experience incorruptible, as straight as a gun barrel. Admirable.

DCN

[MKIVJ6]

Big, hairy, ginger - massively knowledgeable - talks 14 to the dozen - tends not to pause to permit conversation - very nice guy - good bloke - in my experience incorruptible, as straight as a gun barrel. Admirable.

DCN

A few years ago he came by to look at J6.

Very nice guy exactly as you say.

He took a lot of photo's and told me he was writing a new book and it would be out soon.

Soon has come and gone.

Best

[Mistron]

see, told you DCN would know!

It's just that I'm more wordy......

but we agree. top bloke.

[hipperson]

Ditto the above............became a good friend when researching my Ford P/1005. He stays here when he is researching down south
My kids ( 9 & 12) have a dislike of men who are either big,ginger or wear a beard.......Ronnie is all of these and they love him !

Here at my charity weekend in 2005 and 2006.



This shot of 1005 in it's present 'guise'....Ronnie holding court.....the silver haired fellow is Clive Young who owned 1003

1003 when Lime Green was sighted by Ronnie in I think 1971...that began his love affair with marque

[Frank S]

I had a short email exchange with Ronnie Spain, ending last December. He said then:
"I am an authority on the Ford GT40, and am nearing the end of the compilation of a second book on the car (a long time coming; the first book was back in 1986)."

[Ted Walker]

Ronnie is due a visit to my archive to finalise a few things for his book that is "almost ready"

[tali1]

Ditto the above............became a good friend when researching my Ford P/1005. He stays here when he is researching down south
My kids ( 9 & 12) have a dislike of men who are either big,ginger or wear a beard.......Ronnie is all of these and they love him !

Here at my charity weekend in 2005 and 2006.



This shot of 1005 in it's present 'guise'....Ronnie holding court.....the silver haired fellow is Clive Young who owned 1003

1003 when Lime Green was sighted by Ronnie in I think 1971...that began his love affair with marque

Firstly , thanks to all
Hipperson - I have been enthusiastically following your own GT40 story and that of your friend Karl Richardson(must be something special to be in an elite few to have supercar ownership back in the 60s/70s ) - great pics - i even tracked down the Cressing Post office!

[Peter Horsman]

Is anyone able to provide me with his contact details please, by PM? There is a genuine reason which I shall be able to share. Thanks

[Giraffe]

Is anyone able to provide me with his contact details please, by PM? There is a genuine reason which I shall be able to share. Thanks

Check your PMs, Peter. Ronnie can take his time in replying, but he eventually does in my experience.

[group7]

 another one of those heart in the throat moments when I saw this thread ! glad all is well. I have corresponded with Ronnie concerning various GT 40s. always replies, usually in depth and informative.  but may take some time. a very busy man.

 

Mike, in Canada

[Peter Horsman]

Thank you both. Regards Peter

[group7]

Any information concerning Ronnie Spain's new GT 40 book ?

 

 

Michael

[group7]

Bump !  wondering if any one has heard anything of Ronnie Spain lately, he was to bring out a revised version of his GT40 tome in 2016 to coincide with the anniversary of the 1966 win at Le Mans.

[WOT]

I'm trying to chase down P/1009.

 

In 1966 a mate and I were commandeered with cleaning and detailing P/1009 (below, moi in picture). The car had just been classified 2nd in the Rothmans 12 Hour Race at Surfers Paradise and arrived at Alexandria for cleaning before being displayed at the Sydney Motor Show. As eager 14 year olds we jumped into the task of scrubbing and shining and after a full day's work the car was transported to the Show Ground. At offloading there was my mate, me and the truck driver. The truck driver said, " I'm too big to fit in there, you get in." So I jumped into P/1009 and "drove" it down the ramp (some 100 or so metres) and around the corner into the display bay. Even though free wheeling, I can still say that I have driven P/1009!!

 

If anyone has any details/info on P/1009, or the contact details for Ronnie Spain?, it would be greatly appreciated. 

 

I'm sure she's in England and we are planning a trip back to the Old Country at some stage. If possible, it would be magical to have one last look (if she's still in one piece).

 

Edited by WOT, 22 January 2022 - 07:18.

[Arjan de Roos]

Even through free wheeling, we envy you.    Great story!

[WOT]

Regarding my request above - all good. I have been in contact with Ronnie Spain and he is attempting to put me in contact with the owner.

[Roryswood]

Did you ask is the GT40 book updated appearing in the near future