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Happy Birthday, Tony Southgate


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#1 Macca

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Posted 26 May 2020 - 13:22

It seems to have passed people by that yesterday, 25th May, was the 80th birthday of Indy-, F1- and LM-winning designer Tony Southgate.

 

Belated happy returns to a guy who designed many fast and attractive cars across most of the disciplines of motorsport.

 

 

Paul M



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#2 68targa

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Posted 26 May 2020 - 13:54

Birthday greetings to him.

 

He was at Race Retro this year and he did not look anything like approaching 80.



#3 john winfield

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Posted 26 May 2020 - 15:59

Well done Paul! 

 

I rang him out of the blue about twenty years ago regarding an article I was writing. He didn't know me from Adam but was charming, and extremely helpful. 

 

Belated Happy Birthday to young Mr. Southgate. 



#4 MartLgn

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Posted 26 May 2020 - 16:47

Many Happy returns indeed to Mr Southgate.

I always associated him with the death throes of BRM, the Shadow/Arrows litigation and later on with the glorious TWR Jaguar sports cars.

 

Having acquired a copy of his autobiography I was suprised to learn that he designed the Ford RS200 Gp B car, the Indy Eagles and the outrageous Toyota and Nissan GpC cars.



#5 john winfield

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Posted 26 May 2020 - 17:36

Many Happy returns indeed to Mr Southgate.

I always associated him with the death throes of BRM, the Shadow/Arrows litigation and later on with the glorious TWR Jaguar sports cars.

 

Having acquired a copy of his autobiography I was suprised to learn that he designed the Ford RS200 Gp B car, the Indy Eagles and the outrageous Toyota and Nissan GpC cars.

 

Yes, that book (From Drawing Board to Chequered Flag) is a very good read.



#6 Macca

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Posted 28 May 2020 - 10:24

There don't seem to have been many responses to this thread, so I take the liberty of reminding fellow enthusiasts of the winningest designs:

 

Eagel-Offy 1968

https://i.ebayimg.co...0-1/s-l1000.jpg

 

BRM P153 1970

http://www.carlosghy...o_1_600x383.jpg

 

BRM P160 1971:

http://68.media.tumb...kofzo1_1280.jpg

 

Shadow DN4 1974:

https://i.pinimg.com...40b54f0e2dc.png

 

Jaguar XJR 1988

http://www.sportscar...co.uk/lm883.jpg

 

Jaguar XJR 1990

https://i.pinimg.com...58b23e3034a.jpg

 

To say nothing of the early F1 Shadows, Ford RS200, etc.

 

 

Paul M



#7 68targa

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Posted 28 May 2020 - 14:02

I would also recommend his autobiography From Drawing Board to Chequered Flag.  It really is such a good read due to his involvement in so many iconic race cars.



#8 Doug Nye

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Posted 28 May 2020 - 14:34

Oh dear, Tony should NOT be associated with the death throes of BRM (Post 4).

 

Quite the reverse - his relatively tiny P153 saved the team in 1970 while his P160s outshone the gorgeous Eagle-Weslake in their combination of good looks and success.

 

Good guy - 80 going on 55ish...

 

DCN 



#9 kyle936

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Posted 28 May 2020 - 14:46

Hard to believe he's 80, right enough. Just been listening (again) to his Motor Sport podcast. Even if you've heard it before, it's still well worth a listen.

 

https://soundcloud.c...hgate-podcast-1



#10 Sterzo

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Posted 29 May 2020 - 09:48

I would also recommend his autobiography From Drawing Board to Chequered Flag.  It really is such a good read due to his involvement in so many iconic race cars.

Seconded, and I'd also recommend it for the author's writing style and story-telling skills.

 

 

Oh dear, Tony should NOT be associated with the death throes of BRM (Post 4).

 

Quite the reverse - his relatively tiny P153 saved the team in 1970 while his P160s outshone the gorgeous Eagle-Weslake in their combination of good looks and success.

 

Good guy - 80 going on 55ish...

 

DCN 

The P153 must be a rare example of a truly beautiful car from the era of exposed engines and ungainly swirl pots. Even more rarely, its looks were enhanced by a sponsorship colour scheme which sold stinky stuff for your armpit.



#11 PhantomRaspberryBlower

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Posted 29 May 2020 - 10:42

I'll be forever grateful for the TWR XJRs, particularly the V12s. We were lucky enough to have Sky Channel and Screensport back in '87 - the way those beasts hurtled and howled around the tracks left a lasting impression. Then getting to see them face to face at BH :love:

 

Cheers, Mr. Southgate!