Bill Blydenstein

GBRM · 12 Sep 2007, 21:47 (Ref:2010561)

I know this propbably isn't the right thread to post on and please someone put this in the correct thread where it is due but I had some very bad news this evening about probably the straightest person you would ever have met in motor racing and probably the best ever engineer to never make it into F1 through his morals; unfortunately Bill Blydenstein passed away last night....
A bloody good bloke, a brilliant engineer, innovator and too often looked over as a bloody good racing driver.
Apologies if this is the incorrect forum, without Bill Dad would never have got to where he did (and he was on record saying that) and I think there would be quite a few innovations we all would have missed out on.
If there is a better place to post this then please move it; I know Bill's family would love to hear from people and the funeral is a week on Friday, just outside Royston, all race and rally cars welcome, I'll post again in whichever forum this is moved to with the details and hopefully Autosport and Motoring News for once will do the right thing and post correct details.

**Peter Mallett** · 13 Sep 2007, 06:23 (Ref:2010802)

[Mod]. This post was moved from Historics.[/Mod]

Very sad news indeed Gregor. Provided Gerry with the equipment to entertain thousands and indeed was overlooked by many organisations.

My condolences to bill's family and friends.

GORDON STREETER · 13 Sep 2007, 07:52 (Ref:2010860)

Very sorry to hear that, He was one of the "old school" innovators and a name that will be remembered for a long time. Who would have thought that a Borgward Isabella could be made to go that fast !!!!

JimW · 13 Sep 2007, 08:26 (Ref:2010881)

RIP

A name forever associated in my mind with superb performance and innovative engineering. (And with the application of those by Gerry to entertainment.)

My condolences to his family and friends.

Jim

Al Weyman · 13 Sep 2007, 08:27 (Ref:2010883)

Rest in Peace Bill, you gave me a lot of enjoyment in the past reading about your work in CCC and others.

GBRM · 13 Sep 2007, 09:17 (Ref:2010933)

I posted this on the Autosport website last night and thought I had here too but can;t find it this morning, so apologies if a re-post of the wrong forum to post in.

I had some very sad news last night about probably the straightest person you would ever have met in motor racing and probably the best ever engineer to never make it into F1 through his morals; unfortunately Bill Blydenstein passed away on Tuesday night....

A bloody good bloke, a brilliant engineer, innovator and too often looked over as a bloody good racing driver too.

Without Bill Dad would never have got to where he did (and he was on record saying that) and I think there would be quite a few innovations we all would have missed out on.

If there is a better place to post this then please move it; I know Bill's family would love to hear from people and the funeral is a week on Friday the 21st at Therfield Church, Therfield, just outside Royston, all race and rally cars welcome.

Hopefully Autosport and Motoring News for once will do the right thing and publish a fitting tribut to one of the men who made top level British club racing what it is today.

GM

johnw · 13 Sep 2007, 09:55 (Ref:2010963)

Sad indeed Gregor.
I well remember Bill driving the Borgward at Brands.
A true gentleman.
My condolences to his family and friends.

**John Turner** · 13 Sep 2007, 10:50 (Ref:2011008)

Thank you, Gregor; very sad news indeed; there was a time when Bill Blydenstein's name appeared regularly in motor racing mags and C&CC.

I'll put this into the History Forum for a while, and then eventually to the Tributes forum.

VIVA GT · 13 Sep 2007, 11:51 (Ref:2011070)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GBRM

I posted this on the Autosport website last night and thought I had here too but can;t find it this morning, so apologies if a re-post of the wrong forum to post in.

I had some very sad news last night about probably the straightest person you would ever have met in motor racing and probably the best ever engineer to never make it into F1 through his morals; unfortunately Bill Blydenstein passed away on Tuesday night....

A bloody good bloke, a brilliant engineer, innovator and too often looked over as a bloody good racing driver too.

Without Bill Dad would never have got to where he did (and he was on record saying that) and I think there would be quite a few innovations we all would have missed out on.

If there is a better place to post this then please move it; I know Bill's family would love to hear from people and the funeral is a week on Friday the 21st at Therfield Church, Therfield, just outside Royston, all race and rally cars welcome.

Hopefully Autosport and Motoring News for once will do the right thing and publish a fitting tribut to one of the men who made top level British club racing what it is today.

GM

Very sad news Gregor, I think you've summed the man up perfectly there. A real Gentle Man (and gentleman) and extremely talented innovative engineer.
Another one taken from us...

Steve Wilkinson · 13 Sep 2007, 12:07 (Ref:2011089)

Sad news indeed.

I first saw Bill driving the Borward Osabella at Aintree. However I think he will be forever linked with Vauxhall and the series of super special saloons that he produced.

A fitting tribute would be an Historic Vauxhall Saloon Car race in his memory to be held at either Oulton or Brands.

BChild · 13 Sep 2007, 12:49 (Ref:2011131)

Seen his work first hand and it was very impressive - plus he was an honest chap - if he thought there was going to be no benefit from work he said so!!

Happy tuning in his new home - definately a legend who will be missed

**chunterer** · 13 Sep 2007, 14:15 (Ref:2011213)

This is sad news indeed. I appreciated the many projects he was involved in from a spectator and enthusiast point of view.

Mostly remembered for DTV I guess, but the Blydenstein firm was also responsible for making the Nissan 240RS a very decent 2wd rally car in the World and British Open championship in the 80's as well.

jamesholland · 14 Sep 2007, 13:49 (Ref:2012726)

I understand that prior to his involvement with the Borgward Isabella BB was a much admired specialist in Roesch Talbots

Gungebucket · 14 Sep 2007, 14:09 (Ref:2012754)

I am very sad to hear that Bill Blydenstein has died. I was lucky enough to know Bill in the 60's and 70's, he was the ultimate enthusiast and a perfect gentleman. He always had time for anyone who wished to discuss automotive engineering. A sad loss but at least he lived life to the full and I will always remember him as someone who enriched my life.

David

GORDON STREETER · 14 Sep 2007, 23:44 (Ref:2013240)

I saw In the September edition of Classic & sports car that Bill wrote in reminiscing about his old tweaked A35 van.

peter195001 · 15 Sep 2007, 15:55 (Ref:2013757)

update on this thread," friday 21 september @2pm therfield parsish churh,family flowers only,donatoins gratfully accepted for khandel light or British Motor Sport Marshalls Club either leave at church or send to Jeremy rule Funeral service 12 church lane royston SG8 9LG "
quoted from Cambridge Evening News 15 sept,

You asked from Rally cars, Money to marshalls club,whats the "dress code" dark or orange (for marshalls)

GBRM plaese confirm either public or PM

peter195001 · 15 Sep 2007, 16:03 (Ref:2013764)

Racer
Join Date: Feb 2007
Hemel Hempstead

Posts: 293
I know this propbably isn't the right thread to post on and please someone put this in the correct thread where it is due but I had some very bad news this evening about probably the straightest person you would ever have met in motor racing and probably the best ever engineer to never make it into F1 through his morals; unfortunately Bill Blydenstein passed away last night....
A bloody good bloke, a brilliant engineer, innovator and too often looked over as a bloody good racing driver.
Apologies if this is the incorrect forum, without Bill Dad would never have got to where he did (and he was on record saying that) and I think there would be quite a few innovations we all would have missed out on.
If there is a better place to post this then please move it; I know Bill's family would love to hear from people and the funeral is a week on Friday, just outside Royston, all race and rally cars welcome, I'll post again in whichever forum this is moved to with the details and hopefully Autosport and Motoring News for once will do the right thing and post correct details.
__________________
Gregor
Hopefully not get in trouble for copying this theard over but i only read about this in local paper and thought marshalls shound also see it

lescombes · 16 Sep 2007, 08:45 (Ref:2014285)

here here, Bill was a great man....................ask Gerry Marshall...........mind you they will be sharing a beer or 3 together again now.........a legend

Ian Briggs · 16 Sep 2007, 17:30 (Ref:2014814)

Thanks for posting this thread, as a kid I had a DTV anorak that was my pride and Joy......
What a weekend.

R59 · 19 Sep 2007, 20:51 (Ref:2018278)

I was deeply saddened to hear of Bill's passing.

It was a Blydenstein cylinder head that sealed my first championship win - the up to 1400cc class in the Super Road Saloon series in 1991. I often popped into the works at Shepreth when I was passing, just to say hello.

A great engineer, and a great man. Now having a beer with Gerry and the others in the celestial bar in the paddock!

Rest in peace.

Rob.

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