Press Release: British Sports Car Hall of Fame

Moss Motors to host British Sports Car Hall of Fame Ceremony

“You come for the cars, but you stay for the people.”

While this enduring maxim has been applied to all manner of automotive activities, it is especially true in the British sports car hobby, which has been populated with legendary figures and memorable personalities since the vehicles first appeared in significant numbers on North American roads in the late 1940s. Despite the hobby’s enduring popularity, however, all too often the individuals responsible for that success failed to receive proper credit for the role they played in helping to design, build, sell, race, promote, and service these cars over the decades.

To help address this situation and celebrate the hobby, Heacock Insurance and Moto-Lita have agreed to become presenting sponsors to the Museum, which will be housed at the Moss Motors facility in Petersburg, Virginia. The British Sports Car Hall of Fame was established in 2016 as an independent entity to preserve and perpetuate the legacy and impact of these beloved vehicles, and to honor the men and women responsible for their success, both here and abroad. By honoring these dedicated people, the Hall hopes to serve as a touchstone for British sports car enthusiasts of all ages and interest.

Beyond the plaques and the exhibits featuring significant automobiles and memorabilia, the Hall, located at the Moss sales and warehouse facility in Petersburg, Virginia, will eventually house a comprehensive documentary and photographic library to collect, preserve and provide access to these resources for scholars, journalists and enthusiasts to increase their awareness and understanding of British sports cars, their roots, development and history, as well as their impact on society and popular culture.

The large inaugural class (see below) will be inducted on Friday, June 2, 2017, at a special ceremony from 4-6:00pm at the Moss Motors facility in Petersburg, Virginia. The ceremony is being held in conjunction with the Moss Motorfest car show on the following day. The inaugural members of the Hall of Fame were selected by a distinguished panel of automotive journalists and historians to recognize the heroes still among us, and those that have passed. Mark your calendars now (space is limited) and join us for a memorable weekend to celebrate the British sports car’s past, present and future.

For more information and to register to attend the Hall of Fame ceremony and/or Motorfest, visit www.mossmotors.com/motorfest.

The inductees were selected from nominees in the following categories:

• Automobile Clubs and Associations
• Automotive Dealers and Distributors
• Suppliers, Parts Manufacturers and the Service Industry
• Executives, Engineers and Designers
• Journalists and Historians
• Competition and Racing
• Special Contributors and Pioneers
  

  The poster for the inaugural induction ceremony, drawn by famed automotive artist David Townsend of Sports Car Art.

Hall of Fame Inaugural Members:

Tony Adamowicz* – Championship winner in Trans Am and Formula 5000, he was one of the first racers employed by Group 44.

Sir John Black* – Chairman of Standard-Triumph, helped support Morgan, Swallow and Jaguar production, and responsible for the creation of the TR range.

Gerry Coker – Designer for the Donald Healey Motor Company, he was responsible for the design of the Austin-Healey 100 and Sprite.

Michael Cook – Helped craft the image of the great British marques in America throughout much of the postwar period.

Jimmy Cox – Engine guru at the MG Development Department responsible for many of the company’s racing and record-breaking successes.

Michael Dale, OBE – Retired President of Jaguar North America, he started as a tea boy at the Donald Healey Motor Company before helming Jaguar’s sale and marketing efforts.

Norman Dewis, CBE – Chief test driver and development engineer for Jaguar, he also competed at Le Mans and held the World Land Speed Record for a production sports car.

Peter Egan – Our poet laureate and longtime bard, his column at Road & Track gave voice to the joys and frustrations experienced by British sports car owners everywhere.

Donald Healey, CBE* – Car designer, rally driver and speed record holder, noted for his involvement with Riley, Triumph and his involvement with the British Motor Corporation, which resulted in the Austin-Healey marque.

Robert Johns – As an airman in the United States Air Force, he parlayed his amateur success into a position as a Triumph works driver, culminating in a class win at Sebring.

R.W. (Kas) Kastner – From his position as Competition Director for Standard-Triumph in the United States, was the guiding influence and prime instigator for the company’s racing success, essentially writing the book on how to race cars on a budget.

Cecil Kimber* – Automotive engineer, famous for his role in the formation and growth of the MG Car Company in Abingdon.

Richard Knudson – Founder of the New England T-Register and one of the guiding lights in the hobby.

Richard Langworth, CBE – Renowned automotive writer, responsible for writing some of the definitive marque histories ever published.

Sir William Lyons* – Founder of the Swallow Car Company, which later became Jaguar, Lyons was largely responsible for styling many of the firm’s most famous creations and helped establish the company as one of the world’s preeminent marques.

Giovanni Michelotti* – Prolific designer, who styled cars for Ferrari, Maserati, BMW and Triumph, designing some of the latter’s most successful cars in the postwar era.

Sir Stirling Moss – Described as the greatest Formula One driver to never win a World Championship, he competed in open wheel racing, sports cars, and land speed record vehicles, highlighted by a victory in the 1955 Mille Miglia.

Graham Robson – Through a number of authoritative volumes on the various British models and marques became the unofficial chronicler of the industry.

Ken Smith – Known as the Dalai Lama of the Sacred Octagon, he is the Editor Emeritus of The MG Driver, known for his numerous car show appearances across the country.

John Sprinzel – Winner of the British Rally Championship and his class at the 12 Hours of Sebring behind the wheel of an Austin-Healey Sprite.

John Thornley, CBE* – First Secretary of the MG Car Club, who later served as Director and General Manager of the MG Car Company.

Robert ‘Bob’ Tullius – Founder of Group 44, he won countless races, several championships and paved the way for sponsorship in modern racing.

John Twist – Founder of University Motors, he is one of the best-known wrenches in the country and a frequent writer on automotive technical subjects, helping to further the hobby by keeping the cars on the road.

* Indicates posthumous honoree

For more information on the British Sports Car Hall of Fame, visit www.britishsportscarhall.org.

Bob Tullius – from the Jaguar Heritage collection

Donald Healey (right)

John Sprinzel

John Twist

Kas Kastner

Mike Cook

Peter Egan – from the Chicagoland MG Club

Sir Stirling Moss – from the Jaguar Enthusiast Club Austria

Founded in 1948, Moss Motors is the oldest and also the largest supplier of parts for classic British sports cars. Moss is a service driven company by virtue of its knowledgeable salespeople, responsive Customer Service Department, and available technical support. Moss products are supported by engineers, quality control, and R&D, and as a result, parts from Moss are backed by the best warranty in the business. Moss offers free printed catalogs for Austin-Healey, MG and Triumph vehicles. A Jaguar parts catalog is available online only. Shopping online is easy and convenient at www.mossmotors.com. For more information, visit the Moss Motors website or call 1-800-667-7872.

Moss Motors
440 Rutherford Street, Goleta CA 93117
800-667-7872
MossMotors.com