Caterham oprichter Graham Nearn is op zaterdag 24 oktober 2009 overleden. Hij zag in 1933 het levenslicht en opende in 1959 een dealervestiging onder de naam Caterham Cars, waar hij Lotus Seven auto’s verkocht.
Toen Lotus in 1973 met het model wilde stoppen, kocht hij de rechten op en doopte de Lotus Seven om tot Caterham. Caterham is de naam van de Britse plaats waar de fabriek gehuisvest is. Caterham bouwt nog altijd supersnelle lichtgewicht tweezitters, die in crisistijd een prima alternatief blijken voor dure exoten. Graham’s zoon Simon Nearn stond tot 2005 aan het roer van de firma. In dat jaar werd de autobouwer overgenomen door ex-Lotus manager Ansar Ali.
_42995695_grahamnearn.jpg (41.05 KiB) 5721 keer bekeken
POSTED FOR AND ON BEHALF OF MARK DURRANT, (General Secretary and Competition Secretary, Lotus Seven Club)
To all Club Members and Enthusiasts
It is with great sadness that we hear of the loss of Mr Graham
Nearn this morning. Graham, we understand, passed away peacefully
on Saturday 24th October.
I am sure that all Lotus Seven Club members would like to pass on
their deepest heart felt sympathies and support at such a time to
the whole Nearn family.
Furthermore, I am sure that everyone within the Lotus Seven Club
has been touched by the passion and enthusiasm of Graham for the
wonderful cars that we have enjoyed so much.
The Lotus Seven Club Management Team would like everyone to be
aware that we are already in communication with Caterham Cars as
to what we can jointly achieve as a fitting tribute to such a
great person.
May we request that all members and enthusiasts kindly respect the
family's privacy and space at the moment. As soon as we have more
information we will let you know.
Mark Durrant
(General Secretary and Competition Secretary, Lotus Seven Club)
_42995691_chapmannearn1973.jpg (42.44 KiB) 5721 keer bekeken
Herman schreef:Het (electro)shockt mij dat dit nieuws niet van iemand anders komt....
In rouwstemming.
Nee, de waarheid is veel aardser, shame on me. Zit net weer ingelogd en zie het zelf nu pas. Op site van Caterham zelf is het al een mededeling die er blijkbaar al 2 dagen te lezen valt, al spingt ze amper in het oog.
Hier een blatchat-link: http://www.blatchat.com/t.asp?id=178567 ... 15#1529165 Zelfs op die drukke chitchat, staat die thread ondertussen al op de 2de pagina. Damned. Life goes fast.
En een pistonheads-link: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topi ... am%20Nearn
Graham Nearn heeft destijds eigenlijk iets fantastisch gedaan met de herneming van de 7-productie en de latere verdere ontwikkelingen , tot vreugde van vele enthousiastelingen. Chapeau. Hij verdient, wat mij betreft, een zelfde ereplaats als Colin Chapman himself.
Deze link werkt helaas niet meer: http://domestic1.sjc.ox.ac.uk/~jn/cater ... entary.mpg
Ik zal eens diep in het verleden moeten zoeken naar die mpg-file, ergens heb ik hem nog wel. Graham Nearn kwam er uitgebreid aan bod.
Besser laufen, als faulen. Better to run than to rot.
CATERHAM – STATEMENT: GRAHAM NEARN 1933 – 2009
By Craig ⋅ October 27, 2009 (...)
Caterham Cars notes with great regret that Graham Nearn, the man responsible for the survival and evolution of the iconic Seven, passed away on Saturday (Oct 24 2009).
Having been instrumental in the sale and development of Colin Chapman’s celebrated Seven since 1959 (including the car’s starring role in the 60s cult television series, The Prisoner), Nearn became its saviour in 1973.
Against a backdrop of power cuts, rampant inflation, the advent of VAT and the three-day week, Lotus wished to end production of the lightweight sportscar.
Graham promptly stepped in agreeing to take on the manufacturing rights of the Seven, and, in doing so, he secured its long-term future.
On that day, Mr Nearn and the company he started on Caterham-on-the-Hill in Surrey “… became custodians of the legend.”
In later years, whilst he remained passionately involved as Chairman, it was his son, Simon, who ran Caterham Cars on a daily basis until the Nearn family sold the Company to a new management team headed by former-Lotus General Manager, Ansar Ali in 2005.
Managing director, Mr Ali, said: “I have the greatest respect for what Graham achieved with Caterham Cars and fully accept that it was his personal touch that made the brand what it is today. I know that, despite our involvement today, Graham will always be considered the heart and soul of Caterham Cars.
“On behalf of myself, my co-directors and fellow shareholders, I would like to offer my deepest condolences to Graham’s family at this difficult time.”
Please visit http://www.caterham.co.uk or call 01883 333 700.
I have been advised that the funeral for Graham Nearn is to be held on Friday 6 November. The funeral is for the family and friends so if you knew Graham and wish to attend then please contact me for the details.
The family have requested that no flowers be sent and should you wish to make a donation to charity this should be to the RNLI. You can continue to send cards c/o the Caterham showroom who will pass them on to the family.
"The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea". Blijkbaar hebben de Nearns een passie niet enkel voor de super seven maar ook voor de zee. Dat verklaart ook waarom een deel van het interview waarmee destijds de BBC-documentaire opende met Nearn Sr. en Jr., in een kleine haven werd opgenomen.
Besser laufen, als faulen. Better to run than to rot.
In rouwstemming.
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