29 replies to this topic

[Doug Nye]

Very sadly, I hear from the US that Ferrari specialist historian Michael Lynch - who posted here quite frequently as 'Cabianca' - has passed away.  Most sincere condolences to his family and many friends...

 

DCN

[DCapps]

Michael was recently hospitalized for an illness, but this still comes as both a surprise and a shock. I had spoken to him recently about some things we were both interested in sorting out and he was as interesting and as sharp as ever. He was a member of the Historians' Council at the International Motor Racing Research Center and will be greatly missed. I had known Michael for some years now and had a long-time exchange of phone calls and emails with him about an amazing range of topics. He was one of the Good Guys. I will miss him.

 

HDC

[Ray Bell]

Indeed...

One on whom we could rely for information to satisfy our quest for knowledge. Very much to be missed.

[Richard Jenkins]

Very, very sorry to hear this. As always with people like Michael, you lose so much more than just the person.

[Vitesse2]

Awful news. Michael had been a member here for over eighteen years, so was something of a 'fixture'. As RJ says, we have lost more than just the person.

[bradbury west]

I am sorry to hear of his passing. Other than via his book American Sports Racing Cars in the 1950s, with WillIam Edgar and Ron Parravano, I only knew of him as Cabianca on TNF until I had a query about one of the Ferraris shown in Weekend Racers, for which I asked for clarification from the author, as I was somewhat confused, - all to do with bodywork on a Monza- and the author told me to check with Michael. Michael could not have been kinder or more supportive in his clarification, as it was a particularly confusing variation unless you were a real 1950s Ferrari expert, back in the days of Paul Parravano.

I recall also that David McKinney held him in very high regard.

Roger Lund

Edited by bradbury west, 13 January 2019 - 00:32.

[JacnGille]

Sad news

[Jack-the-Lad]

Well this is quite shocking. I always found his posts here interesting and informative.

Sincere condolences.

Edited by Jack-the-Lad, 13 January 2019 - 05:54.

[raceannouncer2003]

Very sorry to hear this.  I met him at a social function at Monterey a number of years ago.  He seemed like a very nice guy, and, of course, very knowledgeable.

 

Vince H.

[raceannouncer2003]

Found this link.  I wish I'd seen this in person.  Great photos...check out the last one to see Michael and others who were there.

 

https://www.veloceto...ichael-t-lynch/

 

Vince H.

[Tim Murray]

I’m very sorry to hear this news. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.

In recent times nearly all Michael’s posting here was concerned in some way with Luigi Chinetti, and I assumed that he must be working on a biography of Chinetti. Does anyone know if this was the case? If so I do hope that Michael’s death doesn’t lead to all his efforts going to waste and that the book is able to be completed.

[Doug Nye]

Michael was indeed working on a proper history of Chinetti's NART activities - digging deep into the background, and - typically - into the fine detail...

 

DCN

[Tim Murray]

Thanks Doug. I do hope that the book was far enough advanced that it can still be completed and published - it would be a fitting memorial to him.

[B Squared]

Michael Argetsinger, Michael Lynch and Vic Barlow (ex-Dunlop racing director) at the International Motor Racing Research Center in October of 2011 when Michael Lynch and Gordon Kirby were there to discuss Phil Hill and Mario Andretti as it marked 50 years since Watkins Glen hosted its first Formula One race.
I'm very sorry to hear of his passing. Sincere condolences to Mr. Lynch's family and friends.

[Jack-the-Lad]

Thanks Doug. I do hope
that the book was far enough advanced that it can still be completed and published - it would be a fitting memorial to him.

Tim,

A reliable source has confirmed that the NART book was completed late last year. The publishing world being what it is, I'm not sure exactly what "completed" means in this case. Presumably it means that Michael's work is finished and is in final editing and layout. Perhaps Doug would have more information. I don't know who the publisher is.

Jack.

Edit: My understanding is that he collaborated with Luigi Chinetti, Jr. If I see him at Cavallino I will inquire.

Edited by Jack-the-Lad, 13 January 2019 - 14:31.

[Tim Murray]

That’s good news - thanks Jack.

[RA Historian]

I am very much saddened to hear this news. I never met him fact to face, but did have several opportunities to speak to him via phone and e mail, exchanging research info. 

 

Tom

[Cynic2]

A reliable source has confirmed that the NART book was completed late last year. The publishing world being what it is, I'm not sure exactly what "completed" means in this case. Presumably it means that Michael's work is finished and is in final editing and layout. Perhaps Doug would have more information. I don't know who the publisher is.

 

. . . .

 

 

 

Michael's work on the Chinetti Family/NART book was NOT finished.  It is close but not ready for print.

 

Luigi Chinetti and I have talked at great length over the past two days, and with Michael having only died on Friday, no decisions have been made yet on how to proceed from here.  There is at least one chapter/appendix to be added and it hasn't even been developed beyond a concept.

 

The book will be definitive.  Michael had access to a substantial number of previously unknown or unseen files and photos, many discovered in old trunks in Chinetti's attic, for the book.  The book will definitely fill a major gap in Ferrari documented history.

Edited by Cynic2, 13 January 2019 - 16:59.

[Jack-the-Lad]

Michael's work on the Chinetti Family/NART book was NOT finished.  It is close but not ready for print.
 
Luigi Chinetti and I have talked at great length over the past two days, and with Michael having only died on Friday, no decisions have been made yet on how to proceed from here.  There is at least one chapter/appendix to be added and it hasn't even been developed beyond a concept.
 
The book will be definitive.  Michael had access to a substantial number of previously unknown or unseen files and photos, many discovered in old trunks in Chinetti's attic, for the book.  The book will definitely fill a major gap in Ferrari documented history.

Thank you for the clarification. Apparently the information I had was a bit optimistic. Here's hoping that Michael's passing will not significantly delay publication, but it sounds as if there is still much to be done.

[Michael Ferner]

Ow, this is bad. Terrible. I dunno what to say.


Michael was one heck of a researcher, always interested in the truth, not merely hunting for "good stories". A stickler for detail, a standard setter. I had the privilege to assist with a couple of projects, and it was always a joy to work with, or rather for him. He will be missed, definitely!

My most sincere condolences to family and friends!

[Doug Nye]

Michael Argetsinger, Michael Lynch and Vic Barlow (ex-Dunlop racing director) at the International Motor Racing Research Center in October of 2011 when Michael Lynch and Gordon Kirby were there to discuss Phil Hill and Mario Andretti as it marked 50 years since Watkins Glen hosted its first Formula One race.
I'm very sorry to hear of his passing. Sincere condolences to Mr. Lynch's family and friends.

 

Apologies for interrupting this thread but B Squared - are you sure that gentleman on the right is "Vic Barlow ex-Dunlop"?  Were there two of them?  The Vic Barlow we knew in England was H.V. Barlow - a very familiar figure around the Formula 1 and World Championship sports car series, known by many (quite affectionately) from his initials as 'Horrid Victor', but he sadly lost his life in a road accident in the mid-1960s...  Just puzzled.

 

DCN

[Graham Gauld]

Doug is absolutely correct. The man on the right is not Vic Barlow the Dunlop competitions manager. Assuming the photo above was taken within the past ten years Dunlop's Vic Barlow would have been around 100 years old !

[B Squared]

That is how Michael A. introduced me to this gentleman. edit: in thinking it over; Michael A. wasn't exactly known to be factually incorrect - likely a misunderstanding on my part.

Edited by B Squared, 15 January 2019 - 09:45.

[Geoff E]

Apologies for interrupting this thread but B Squared - are you sure that gentleman on the right is "Vic Barlow ex-Dunlop"?  Were there two of them?  The Vic Barlow we knew in England was H.V. Barlow - a very familiar figure around the Formula 1 and World Championship sports car series, known by many (quite affectionately) from his initials as 'Horrid Victor', but he sadly lost his life in a road accident in the mid-1960s...  Just puzzled.

 

DCN

 

I suspect then he was the Horace Victor Barlow who died in 1967 aged 54 in Warwickshire. 

 

EDIT: a contemporary newspaper report described him as "assistant technical manager of Dunlop's racing division".

Edited by Geoff E, 15 January 2019 - 13:19.

[Jim Thurman]

Much like Michael Ferner, I'm at a loss for words on these occasions. Because of that, I'll echo his comments, which are spot on and sum up the situation well. While I never met Michael Lynch in person, we exchanged many an e-mail with information on a variety of racing topics and research.

 

We should all be at such a loss for words as to be able compose what Herr Ferner wrote 

[Doug Nye]

Yes indeed...

 

DCN

[Arjan de Roos]

A great Ferrari connoisseur who (also) wrote for Cavallino, Forza and Prancing Horse magazines. He will be sorely missed.

[FastReader]

I’m very sorry to hear this news. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.

In recent times nearly all Michael’s posting here was concerned in some way with Luigi Chinetti, and I assumed that he must be working on a biography of Chinetti. Does anyone know if this was the case? If so I do hope that Michael’s death doesn’t lead to all his efforts going to waste and that the book is able to be completed.

Apparently David Bull will be publishing the Chinetti/NART book next year.

[Tim Murray]

Excellent - thanks FR.

[SamoanAttorney]

Apparently David Bull will be publishing the Chinetti/NART book next year.

 

Apologies for contradicting this post but on a less salubrious Ferrari forum, the announcement from the reincarnated David Bull Publishing provoked this post - your guess is as good as mine.

 

 

Luigi Chinetti Jr., a.k.a. Coco, just told me a few days ago that he has split up with/separated from Bull (re the NART book) and they are not gonna do it.