21 replies to this topic

[Graham Gauld]

I am sorry to say that John Coombs died this afternoon in hospital in Monaco. He had been active but seriously ill for some time but succumbed this afternoon.
John was one of the last great characters of motor radcing in the past sixty years and was influential in promoting the careers of many drivers including Ron Flockhart, Graham Hill and of course his great friend and sparring partner Roy Salvadori. He will be greatly missed within motor racing and by all of his close friends.

[Doug Nye]

Rest easy Noddy - thanks for a number of small favours, and good advice... DCN

[David Birchall]

Very sorry to hear this . I grew up just down the road from the Coombs Jag dealership and it was a local landmark. John coombs made a real contribution to English racing.

[Michael Ferner]

Very sad.

[Alan Cox]

Very sad news. He seems to have been a permanent fixture in the world of motor racing for the whole of my life, latterly around the world of historic racing, appearing in the foreground, and background, of so many racing photographs of the 'fifties and 'sixties.

1965 Oulton Park Spring Trophy

[Tuboscocca]

Just re-read a nice piece on John Coombs by Philip Porter in

The Iconic E-type ,celebrating 50 years of the E-type Jaguar (softbound)

Regards Michael

[ReWind]

The current issue of VINTAGE RACECAR Journal has an interview with John Coombs.
(Link)

[Macca]

RIP - his name will live on, hopefully for ever - seen at Goodwood this morning:



Paul M

[bradbury west]

ISTR that Simon Taylor did a very good "Lunch with" John Coombs some time back. Mr Coombs seems to have been the archetypal entrant/patron, always fielding top cars for the best drivers of the day. Echoing what Alan says, he seems to have been almost an institution in top motor racing all through my interest in our sport. A thoroughly good bloke, and no mean racer himself.
As an aside, I saw him at Nice airport some years ago meeting someone off a London plane. Like us, they got on the shuttle bus to Monaco; no flash car or helicopter shuttle for him. On another occasion he was kind enough to talk to me about one of the drivers in whom I have a research interest. A kind man.
A life well lived, and one which gave enjoyment to many others.
Roger Lund

Edited by bradbury west, 05 August 2013 - 06:42.

[PCC]

ISTR that Simon Taylor did a very good "Lunch with" John Coombs some time back.

He did indeed, and they've posted it on their website.

[charles r]

Thank you for the link. A wonderful insight.

[GD66]

Very illuminating, thanks for sharing. Among other insights, that's definitely the first time I've heard Piers Courage rated like that.

[MCS]

What a great article - a fine tribute to John Coombs.

A shame a book was never written, but how many times do we make that remark?

[Graham Gauld]

What a great article - a fine tribute to John Coombs.

A shame a book was never written, but how many times do we make that remark?

I am afraid John was not keen on the idea. I had been trying to persuade him for over twenty years and at one stage he was interested but then lost interest however many of his amazing stories are around.

[Cirrus]

I met John Coombs several times and found him fascinating to talk to and very self-effacing. I always remember being invited to a BRDC driving day for members and their guests a few years ago. JC was the only one who changed out of his overalls and back into his blazer and slacks for lunch.

[klemcoll]

I had the distinct experience of meeting John one day at Brands many years ago when he came roaring up to me to claim that our Chevrolets, which Chuck Kelsey and I were running against his Jags, were illegal. I had the pleasure of handing him the homologation form for cars which, to the best of my then knowledge, only two had been constructed. In later years when we met he well remembered those days and was always a total gentleman and a truly nice guy.

[bradbury west]

Posts. 25,26 & 37 on the D an Gurney Impala thread tell the story of Peter's Chevy II adventures. Sorry cannot copy and paste link from here.
Roger Lund
Apologies for a bit OT

[D-Type]

Posts. 25,26 & 37 on the D an Gurney Impala thread tell the story of Peter's Chevy II adventures. Sorry cannot copy and paste link from here.
Roger Lund
Apologies for a bit OT

Here you are: Post 25, Post 26, & Post 37

[cpbell]

R.I.P.

[bradbury west]

There is a fine obituary to Mr Coombs in the Telegraph if someone can put up a link, please
Roger Lund

[Alfie]

There is a fine obituary to Mr Coombs in the Telegraph if someone can put up a link, please
Roger Lund

As requested -

http://www.telegraph...ohn-Coombs.html

[Tim Murray]

There's just been a nice little tribute to John Coombs as part of BBC Radio 4's 'Last Word' programme, featuring contributions from Jackie Stewart, Mike MacDowel and Simon Taylor. Only around five minutes or so, but it had quite a few of the better-known stories.