Former Jaguar test driver and works racer Norman Dewis OBE has died at age 98.
Dewis is credited to developing 25 Jaguars over his 33-year career with Jaguar, including the Le Mans 24 hours-winning D-type and the iconic E-type.
“Today is an enormously sad day for the Jaguar brand, Jaguar fans worldwide, and for me personally. He will be sorely missed,” Jaguar Land Rover chief executive officer Ralf Speth says.
Had Dewis made it to 100, he would have driven the C-type to 100 mph (161kmph) to celebrate his 100 years as a promise to his fans.
Dewis began working on cars at age 14, before moving to various car manufacturers and during wartime was drafted into the RAF.
In 1953, Dewis set a 172.412 mph production car speed record in a modified Jaguar XK120 on a closed section of the Jabbeke highway in Belgium.
It’s estimated he completed more than a million test miles at an average speed of 161kmph plus.
After retiring, he continued to be a global ambassador to Jaguar. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to Jaguar and the British motor industry.
“Norman’s name will quite rightly go down in Jaguar history; without his contribution to the brand during his 33-year career, or as a global ambassador in his later years, Jaguar just wouldn’t be the same,” Speth adds.
“So, I hope the world will join me and everyone associated with Jaguar Land Rover in saying: thank you, Norman.”
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