Obituary

How sad that Tom Lightfoot has died, aged 81. A jeweller, he will be known to so many veteran car folk, especially members of the VCC of GB. Tom loved his high-sided 1902 Mercedes with 1912 two-seater sports body which he drove fast on so many Brighton Runs. Indeed, he was a capable driver of such cars, causing me to nickname him “leadfoot”. Appropriately, his house was called Toad Hail. His motor-tastes were versatile, however. I recall an Austin 7 Special of his that I borrowed for a rally and in 1976 Tom generously lent me his 1902 8hp Beaufort on which I did the Brighton Run. But it was his 1902 Arrol-Johnston which was such an attraction at all or nearly all the 1946 SMM&T Jubilee Cavalcades, and later came a 1901 Renault but for the 1961 Brussels-Madrid VCC Rally he was back at the wheel of his Mercedes. Lightfoot was a keen supporter of such European events and he also tried his best to recruit youngsters into the veteran-car movement. Our heartfelt sympathies to Rita, his wife who accompanied him on many such runs.