89 replies to this topic

[Ian Stewart]

I knew Peter well and liked him tremendously.  In his early days we occasionally travelled to sports car races together, and with Peter at the wheel journeys passed rather quickly.  One might say that he always drove with panache!

 

This was underlined many years later when I decided to watch the Monaco Grand Prix.  I had hired a Renault Dauphine, and at about seven pm on the evening before practice Peter decided that a few practice laps might be quite a good idea.  His (wedding present) Ferrari or my Dauphine?  For once diplomacy prevailed, and the Dauphine was chosen.  We did about three laps absolutely flat out - not very fast in the scheme of things, but 'way beyond the wildest dreams of Messrs. Renault.  I was utterly terrified, but confident at heart because I knew my pilot's superb skill.

 

Another memory of that trip was the bollocking I got from Phil Hill when I stepped aboard Peter's yacht.  Phil was working on the engine with his head at deck level, and lost no time in giving voice.  "Get those shoes off NOW" was the message.  Peter was very particular about the well-being of his vehicles. 

 

This came home to roost when he asked me to drive his Ferrari back to England.  I got as far as Chartres before needing petrol, discovered I had left my wallet on the yacht (passport, cash and all) - tried to flog my watch without success, then almost miraculously met a couple who knew all about Peter, and they lent me £10.  Bad enough so far, but disaster struck on the North Circular Road when the Ferrari caught fire.  Very little damage thank goodness, and Peter being Peter didn't take me to task for my shambolic efforts.

 

I have never forgotten him.  How could I?

[Eric Dunsdon]

How wonderful to read those memories from a fine driver who knew and raced with Peter. Many thanks Mr Stewart (another of my heroes) and my very best wishes to you.

[Graham Gauld]

I must echo Ian Stewarts comments on Peter Collins. He was a truly good guy, full of fun and sympathetic towards a young motoring journalist on his first trip to Modena. He came to the Autodrome to test a 4.1 litre 335S prior to the Venezuelan GP in 1957 and invited my and a colleague whose car we used to get to Modena from Scotland, to come round to the Villa Rosa for tea.  The Villa Rosa was  owned by Enzo Ferrari and backed on to what is now the Fiorano test track. Enzo Ferrari loaned it to Peter and Louise who had not long married.

That afternoon Peter remarked that he was waiting delivery of his new car and shortly afterwards a dark blue Lancia Flaminia arrived driven by a factory delivery driver. At the time Lancia offered use of their cars to grand prix drivers and as can be seen from the photo Peter and Louise were pround of their new car. However, when Enzo Ferrari go to hear of it Peter was ordered to send it back to Lancia and in turn Enzo gave Peter and Louise a Ferrari to use.

The other photo was taken inside the Villa Rosa with me pontificating as usual on the stairway.

At the British Grand Prix the following year (1958) which Peter won I told him I was going back to Maranello and he explained that we might be able to meet up but that he and Louise were now living on his yacht in Monaco. Sadly that Grand Prix was just a few weeks before he was killed at Nurburgring.

A nice personality and many of todays drivers could learn from the way in which he approached grand prix racing.

 

 

 

[63Corvette]

Wow! Fantastic stories all.

I envy all of you "older" gentlemen.................those WERE the days

[exhillclimber]

In 2008 we dedicated the Classic meeting at Shelsley to a celebration of Peter's life, and invited Louise to come over for it. To our great joy she did, and lots of Peter's family and friends came along. Louise had a great time, being treated like royalty, signing Ed McDonagh's book and being driven up the hill. I wrote an insert for the programme , summarising Peter's career that started at Shelsley.

She stayed with her friend Shelagh Browne, Lance Macklin's widow, and had lunch with Stirling and Susie .Moss.

A bit later in the year I bumped into her and Shelagh at Goodwood and recorded interviews with them both for Goodwood Radio. Both absolutely delightful ladies.

Peter went Alcester school, and the headmaster recorded that on more than one occasion he visited the school and spoke to the boys about Grand Prix racing. A lovely man and a tragic loss.

Chris

[dgs]

On August 2nd 2003 I decided to go to the St Mary's church at Stone, to take a photograph of Peter Collins grave, I had been asked by a colleage in Sweden who wanted this. After taking the photograph and taking my camera back to the car, I walked back into the churchyard (the grave is at the back of the grounds) and Peter's grave is next to his grandparents grave. I noticed a woman clearing the ivy and brambles off the graves, and holding a bunch of flowers. I got to talk to her and she confided that she had been doing this since Peter's death, going on the aniversary of his death at a quiet time, when few people about.

 

She had lived next door to the Collins family when she was a child (she was younger than Peter) and they had played with him and his his sister. Even though her family moved to a nearby village whilst she was still a young girl, she followed Peter's race career. She had attended his funeral at St Mary's and can remember seeing Peter's Grand Prix friend Mike Hawthorn being at the church.After his death she started  to take flowers (taken from her garden) to the grave, even at first cycling to the church, and had continued with this up to when I saw her.

 

I realised that she had been mentioned in Chris Nixon's book 'Mon Ami Mate' but had not wanted to be named.

 

It was a nice surprise to meet someone with a direct link to Peter Collins.

 

Living only 15 miles or so from Stone I have visited Peter's grave on a few occasions and have always noticed either flowers, photographs or personal messages left my the grave. 

[dgs]

In 2008 we dedicated the Classic meeting at Shelsley to a celebration of Peter's life, and invited Louise to come over for it. To our great joy she did, and lots of Peter's family and friends came along. Louise had a great time, being treated like royalty, signing Ed McDonagh's book and being driven up the hill. I wrote an insert for the programme , summarising Peter's career that started at Shelsley.

She stayed with her friend Shelagh Browne, Lance Macklin's widow, and had lunch with Stirling and Susie .Moss.

A bit later in the year I bumped into her and Shelagh at Goodwood and recorded interviews with them both for Goodwood Radio. Both absolutely delightful ladies.

Peter went Alcester school, and the headmaster recorded that on more than one occasion he visited the school and spoke to the boys about Grand Prix racing. A lovely man and a tragic loss.

Chris

Ex hillclimber - Was the school in Alcester 'Alcester Grammar School' ?

 

If so I will see if I can see him on the school end of term photographs displayed in the main corridor, later in year when I am invigilating at exams.

 

I was at the Shelsley Walsh meeting you described, it was a wonderful day

[dgs]

In 2008 we dedicated the Classic meeting at Shelsley to a celebration of Peter's life, and invited Louise to come over for it. To our great joy she did, and lots of Peter's family and friends came along. Louise had a great time, being treated like royalty, signing Ed McDonagh's book and being driven up the hill. I wrote an insert for the programme , summarising Peter's career that started at Shelsley.

She stayed with her friend Shelagh Browne, Lance Macklin's widow, and had lunch with Stirling and Susie .Moss.

A bit later in the year I bumped into her and Shelagh at Goodwood and recorded interviews with them both for Goodwood Radio. Both absolutely delightful ladies.

Peter went Alcester school, and the headmaster recorded that on more than one occasion he visited the school and spoke to the boys about Grand Prix racing. A lovely man and a tragic loss.

Chris

A quick look on internet suggests Peter Collins was educated at Bromsgrove School. This would make sense as Bromsgrove much nearer to Stone than Alcester (further 10 to 12 miles further).

[Eric Dunsdon]

On August 2nd 2003 I decided to go to the St Mary's church at Stone, to take a photograph of Peter Collins grave, I had been asked by a colleage in Sweden who wanted this. After taking the photograph and taking my camera back to the car, I walked back into the churchyard (the grave is at the back of the grounds) and Peter's grave is next to his grandparents grave. I noticed a woman clearing the ivy and brambles off the graves, and holding a bunch of flowers. I got to talk to her and she confided that she had been doing this since Peter's death, going on the aniversary of his death at a quiet time, when few people about.

 

She had lived next door to the Collins family when she was a child (she was younger than Peter) and they had played with him and his his sister. Even though her family moved to a nearby village whilst she was still a young girl, she followed Peter's race career. She had attended his funeral at St Mary's and can remember seeing Peter's Grand Prix friend Mike Hawthorn being at the church.After his death she started  to take flowers (taken from her garden) to the grave, even at first cycling to the church, and had continued with this up to when I saw her.

 

I realised that she had been mentioned in Chris Nixon's book 'Mon Ami Mate' but had not wanted to be named.

 

It was a nice surprise to meet someone with a direct link to Peter Collins.

 

Living only 15 miles or so from Stone I have visited Peter's grave on a few occasions and have always noticed either flowers, photographs or personal messages left my the grave. 

Thank you for posting such  nice story. Its good to know that Peter is remembered by so many who's lives he touched in some way.

[Tim Murray]

A quick look on internet suggests Peter Collins was educated at Bromsgrove School. This would make sense as Bromsgrove much nearer to Stone than Alcester (further 10 to 12 miles further).

He did have links to Alcester schools. In 1955 he became a member of the board of governors of Alcester Preparatory School, and I believe it was the headmaster of this school whose letter of tribute to Peter appeared in the Times and was later reproduced in Champion Year and Mon Ami Mate. In the Alcester Grammar School Record December 1959 the following appears:
 

On Saturday; November 7th, a few pupils and members of the Staff attended the unveiling' of the memorial picture to the late Peter Collins, the well-known racing driver. The ceremony, organised by Mr. Rutter, Headmaster of the Alcester Preparatory School, was held in the Greig Hall.

I wonder if that memorial picture is still there. In his BRM V16 book Karl Ludvigsen noted that Collins and Raymond Mays were both governors of Alcester Preparatory School, and it was as a result of them getting together at governors' meetings in Alcester that Mays signed Peter to drive for BRM.

I'm curious about this. As far as I can tell neither was actually educated at the school (Mays went to Oundle) so I'm puzzled as to why they should have been invited to become governors.

[exhillclimber]

He did have links to Alcester schools. In 1955 he became a member of the board of governors of Alcester Preparatory School, and I believe it was the headmaster of this school whose letter of tribute to Peter appeared in the Times and was later reproduced in Champion Year and Mon Ami Mate. In the Alcester Grammar School Record December 1959 the following appears:
 

I wonder if that memorial picture is still there. In his BRM V16 book Karl Ludvigsen noted that Collins and Raymond Mays were both governors of Alcester Preparatory School, and it was as a result of them getting together at governors' meetings in Alcester that Mays signed Peter to drive for BRM.

I'm curious about this. As far as I can tell neither was actually educated at the school (Mays went to Oundle) so I'm puzzled as to why they should have been invited to become governors.

Ed McDonough writes that Peter was sent off to boarding school just before he was eleven. Presumably this was Alcester Prep School. Ed reports that he didn't like it and soon became a day boy before going to Bromsgrove as a boarder.

[Tim Murray]

Most online sources mention that Peter went to school in Wolverley village (presumably a primary school) and at Bromsgrove School. If he did go to Alcester Preparatory School between Wolverley and Bromsgrove it would certainly explain his later association with the school as a governor. I still have my doubts though. Bromsgrove School is still proud that Collins is one of their old boys, having named one of their rooms the Collins Room in his honour. However, the much-quoted letter to the Times from the Alcester Prep School headmaster makes no mention of Collins being an old boy there. Also, would Peter have agreed to become a governor at a school he didn't like?

Here's the headmaster's letter, as posted by KJJ in the ’Mon Ami Mate’ thread:
 

Hmm, Stoke and Stone are so similar that you have to allow the possibility of a mistake in the GRO index.

As a penance for bringing up such a small point, I’ve copied the following letter which was written to the Times by a headmaster and published 6th August 1958:


“May I be allowed to add a few words to your very fine obituary notice of Peter Collins? One of his less widely known interests was that of education, and it was through this that I first met him in 1955, when he became a member of the governing body of my school. He was keenly interested in every facet of education and derived much pleasure on his visits to the school from wandering around the classrooms talking to the children and inspecting their books: he interested himself in their sporting activities too, and, needless to say, the children for their part loved to have such a famous young man in their midst and always responded to his innate charm.

“Peter always had to wade through piles of autograph books each time he came! I always recall one particular incident which took place in my study when Peter talked unceasingly for a couple of hours to a group of grammar school boys who had been invited to meet him; the boys were spellbound and thrilled by all he had to tell them, and I well remember how welcome tea was to Peter on that occasion!

“Beneath his gay exterior Peter Collins was a young man of great maturity and unswerving loyalty. I, personally, respected his judgement and advice; on one occasion in particular his wise counsel saved me from a serious error of policy. The tragic and untimely death of Peter Collins has removed from our midst not only a racing motorist of world renown but also a humble and unassuming young man endowed with wisdom and vision out of all proportion to his physical age.”

Sorry again If this is in “Mon Ami Mate” or is otherwise well-known.

[Robin Fairservice]

At that time, in the public, or state, school system (i.e. not Private),school governors were appointed by the local government, and I am sure that attending that particular school would not have been a requirement.

[Tim Murray]

At the time that Peter Collins was one of its governors, Alcester Preparatory School was owned by its headmaster, Philip Rutter, so was presumably not part of the state system and would have appointed its own governors. Bromsgrove School, which we know he attended, was also a private, fee-paying school.

[dgs]

A trip down to Alcester Library today, to confirm my thoughts on where Alcester Preparatory School was based. As I suspected the building is not in Alcester town, but just outside the area and in the hamlet of Kinwarten.

A phone call to a local history group suggests that Mr Rutter (now deseased)sold the premises in 1986. For the last twenty years since 1995 it has been run as a commercial venture with several business offices based in the school house.

[Sharman]

I rather think that you are confused by the term "Public School". In the UK this does not mean State Funded, it is the opposite and fees are paid to obtain education at one of these establishments. Preparatory schools also fall into the fee paying category.

At that time, in the public, or state, school system (i.e. not Private),school governors were appointed by the local government, and I am sure that attending that particular school would not have been a requirement.

Edited by Sharman, 19 August 2015 - 20:31.

[Michael Ferner]

Tut, you Britons make it so easy to understand, yet people still fail to pay attention!

A Public School is a private school, and a Private School is a public school - what's so difficult in remembering that?

[Sharman]

Tut, you Britons make it so easy to understand, yet people still fail to pay attention!

A Public School is a private school, and a Private School is a public school - what's so difficult in remembering that?

There were also (among others) Dame Schools and Grammar Schools

[Robin Fairservice]

I tried to mean that a school that is non fee paying, and is administered by the state.  I was born in England, but now live in British Columbia, so am aware of the confusion that the British terms for different schools can cause.  The question was why was Peter Collins a Governor of a school that he hadn't attended?  If the school was administered by a local authority they would have appointed the Governors, but as it was a Preparatory school, and from following comments, that it was owned by the Headmaster (I trust that that is the correct term, and not Principal), he could have appointed whoever he wished as a Governor.

[dgs]

Ed McDonough writes that Peter was sent off to boarding school just before he was eleven. Presumably this was Alcester Prep School. Ed reports that he didn't like it and soon became a day boy before going to Bromsgrove as a boarder.

Peter Collins was sent to Wolverley Boarding School late in 1942 (when he was eleven). This was the boarding school Peter did not like either as boarder or following term as day boy. He did not attend Alcester Preparatory School, which had opened in 1942 temporary premises. 

 

Information from 'Mon Ami Mate' by Chris Nixon

[nmansellfan]

Mentioned by Slurp 1955, The A442 that goes past the Collins' family home is a nice driving road (on the rare occasion that it is quiet) - judging by the zest for life Peter had, I imagine he drove his road cars were used to their fullest extent many a time along there!  I heard many years ago he also used to thrash his early Ferrari 250GT along the B4194 'switchback' (another fantastic road) between Stourport-on Severn and Bewdley quite regularly as well - anyone who knows the area will tell you that if you get it wrong along there, you can easily go for a swim in the River Severn!

 

 

His family owned the garage on Worcester Road in Kidderminster I believe (now a Ford dealership - has been for 30+ years) - does anyone know when it left family ownership?

Edited by nmansellfan, 25 August 2015 - 12:05.

[RS2000]

I don't know about his cars but he is supposed to have rolled his father's car on that stretch of the A442 - possibly on the right hander at the bottom of the hill not far short of Kidderminster if my experiences there are any guide...

[dgs]

Mentioned by Slurp 1955, The A442 that goes past the Collins' family home is a nice driving road (on the rare occasion that it is quiet) - judging by the zest for life Peter had, I imagine he drove his road cars were used to their fullest extent many a time along there!  I heard many years ago he also used to thrash his early Ferrari 250GT along the B4194 'switchback' (another fantastic road) between Stourport-on Severn and Bewdley quite regularly as well - anyone who knows the area will tell you that if you get it wrong along there, you can easily go for a swim in the River Severn!

 

 

His family owned the garage on Worcester Road in Kidderminster I believe (now a Ford dealership - has been for 30+ years) - does anyone know when it left family ownership?

In Ed MacDonough book 'Peter Collins - All about the Boy',  Michael Whittall who lived in Shatterford and knew the Collins family, marrying Peter's sister Patricia, mentions that Pat Collins sold Kidderminster Motors in about 1964, then retiring to Jersey.  

[Slurp1955]

There is another sporting connection to Kidderminster Motors. In the Sixties Ron Headley, West Indies and Worcestershire cricketer, worked there as a salesman. He sold my Dad his "still much missed" gold Ford Cortina 1600E. Ron was the son of George Headley, the "Black Bradman" and one of the greatest batsman ever to play the game. Ron's son Dean played Test cricket for England. JohnP

[dgs]

He did have links to Alcester schools. In 1955 he became a member of the board of governors of Alcester Preparatory School, and I believe it was the headmaster of this school whose letter of tribute to Peter appeared in the Times and was later reproduced in Champion Year and Mon Ami Mate. In the Alcester Grammar School Record December 1959 the following appears:
 

I wonder if that memorial picture is still there. In his BRM V16 book Karl Ludvigsen noted that Collins and Raymond Mays were both governors of Alcester Preparatory School, and it was as a result of them getting together at governors' meetings in Alcester that Mays signed Peter to drive for BRM.

I'm curious about this. As far as I can tell neither was actually educated at the school (Mays went to Oundle) so I'm puzzled as to why they should have been invited to become governors.

After the unveiling of the painting which was held at Greig Hall in Alcester in November 1959, it was hung at the Alcester Preparatory School until it closed in December 1986.

 

The unveiling was carried out by John Wyer.  It is a copy of a photograph taken after Peter had won the 1955 International Trophy race at Silverstone, and shows him holding the winners trophy and a wreath around his neck. I have seen a photograph of the painting taken at the school on its day of closing. Unfortunately due to copyright reasons I cannot post it.

 

The painting is a very good likeness to Peter and was painted by the artist Sofy Asscher (who had previously been commissioned to produce a portrait of Raymond Mays).

 

Question is where is the painting now?

 

It is possible that when the school closed down , the headmaster Mr Rutter took it with him, but he cannot be questioned as he died some years ago.

[Vitesse2]

The Guardian runs a regular feature called 'That's me in the picture'. Today's contribution is by Louise King, Peter's widow.

 

 

Driver Alfonso de Portago (wearing white helmet) and Peter Collins (in woollen hat). Collins’ wife Louise stands behind them in a striped blouse. Photograph: © Klemantaski Collection/Getty Images

 

‘Formula One drivers accepted the risks. This was the life they loved’: Italy, 1957

[john winfield]

The Guardian runs a regular feature called 'That's me in the picture'. Today's contribution is by Louise King, Peter's widow.

 

 

 

‘Formula One drivers accepted the risks. This was the life they loved’: Italy, 1957

 

What a frank, moving accompanying article by Louise. 

[Eric Dunsdon]

Peter Collins was one of my boyhood heroes. In 1955 I wrote what was probably a typical fan letter to which I received a lengthy and  very  kind reply along with a signed photo of himself in  Mk2 V16 BRM  at Snetterton.  I still have that photograph along with many happy memories of Peters racing successes including his domination of the 1958 British Grand Prix.

[MCS]

There was also this from the another national newspaper the other day:  http://www.telegraph...dship-to-track/

 

I haven't seen it, so no idea how good, bad or indifferent it is...

[Doug Nye]

I think that 'Ferrari: Race to Immortality' - whose premiere I attended last Monday evening - really is pretty darned good - but for that really rather misleading title.  The colour contemporary footage quality alone - I promise you - should be sufficient to send any TNFer into unrestrained aerobatics.

 

And Louise Cordier-King-Collins makes a wonderful verbal and on-camera contribution to the piece.

 

But as an honest kind of cove, I must admit that I am biased.          

 

If you have a bored moment, take a look at:

 

https://www.goodwood...to-immortality/

 

DCN

Edited by Doug Nye, 03 November 2017 - 20:46.

[Steve99]

I think that 'Ferrari: Race to Immortality' - whose premiere I attended last Monday evening - really is pretty darned good - but for that really rather misleading title.  The colour contemporary footage quality alone - I promise you - should be sufficient to send any TNFer into unrestrained aerobatics.

 

And Louise Cordier-King-Collins makes a wonderful verbal and on-camera contribution to the piece.

 

But as an honest kind of cove, I must admit that I am biased.          

 

If you have a bored moment, take a look at:

 

https://www.goodwood...to-immortality/

 

DCN

 

Your bias is justified, Mr Nye, Sir! Saw it last night in the wonderful and suitably retro setting of the Kinema in the Woods, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, and must agree that the colour footage is simply stunning. So much so that I shall have to see it again. The contributions from Louise King, among others, are thought-provoking also. In short, go an see it.

[Mallory Dan]

Is it correct that Hawthorn was on his way to meet Louise in his fated last drive?

[B Squared]

Louise, I found out in Mon Ami Mate, grew up less than an hour from my home in Indiana. Her hometown of Wabash was the first town in the world to be electrically lighted.

http://www.cityofwabash.com/

[Roger Clark]

Is it correct that Hawthorn was on his way to meet Louise in his fated last drive?

One of several meetings according to Mon Ami Mate.

[exhillclimber]

We paid tribute to Peter at Shelsley Walsh in 2008, 50 years after his death. A number of his friends and relations joined us Including Louise Collins who flew over from Florida, thanks to an air ticket kindly sent by the MAC. She was absolutely delightful and loved her day at the famous hill which she had never visited before.

[bradbury west]

I see that the Ferrari film is released today on Virgin Movies, for those with, or with friends with, Virgin Media on cable.  £4.49 for 2 days download access.

Roger Lund

[rudi]

I see that the Ferrari film is released today on Virgin Movies, for those with, or with friends with, Virgin Media on cable.  £4.49 for 2 days download access.

Roger Lund

DVD is also on available.

[Jagjon]

DVD is also on available.

Bought today from HMV   £9.99.

[Eric Dunsdon]

I have just watched this wonderful DVD. Having lived through the period covered and regarded the drivers concerned as heroes it was a sad reminder  that behind the fun and glamour that we remember so well, motor racing was also so dangerous. As much as I enjoyed so much previously unseen footage I found it sad to see so many drivers who lost their lives. I wont say that I was reminded of them as I have never forgotten them. This is an essential film for those interested in what was for me, the finest period of motor racing and Grand Prix racing in particular. Congratulations to everyone concerned in this fine production.

Edited by Eric Dunsdon, 09 November 2017 - 13:30.

[tampaguy]

Christopher Price is the foremost individual in regards to Peter Collins, He just helped put on a celebration in Peters memory. He also lived in the Collins family home as a young man. My connection with Peter surrounds the stories Joe Sheppard told me about his times with Peter at Sebring in 56/57/58. Peter took the time to show Joe how to navigate the S’s properly. Having driven competitively against him and Fangio both he remarked often about just how much a gentleman Peter was.