Obituaries

Cecil Clutton

As we went to press came the devastating news of the death of Cecil (Sam) Clutton, CBE in a London church, presumably from a heart attack. No-one was better known in VSCC circles than the 100% amateur enthusiast. Clutton was that Club’s President from 1954 to 1956 and had edited very entertainingly its Bulletin from 1935 to 1951. He raced his famous 1908 GP Itala over a span of 60 years, an unique record.

He was an accomplished organist, and knowledgeable about antique clocks and watches. On all these subjects Sam had written books in which his no-nonsense outlook was much enjoyed. He wrote for Motor Sport and owned many vintage cars, including the 10-1/2-litre Delage. Last year Clutton was still competing with the Itala and his vintage Frazer Nash, at the age of 81.

Our very deep personal sadness, almost unbelief, on hearing that it has all ended will be matched by the whole vintage movement and in other spheres beyond it. — WB

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Peter Hampton

CWP Hampton died from a hear attack on February 11th. He was a meticulous restorer of better historic cars and to visit his immaculate garage by his house in Bolney was an unforgettable experience. It contained examples of most of the Bugatti cars and other makes such as a 36/220hp Mercedes-Benz, a 45hp Hispano-Suiza, his baby Peugeots etc. Peter’s attention to detail was unsurpassed, every car in Concours d’Elegance order. It had been thus since he first owned cars, then Amilcar, Rileys, Talbot 90 and 1922 Targa Florio Mercedes, but Bugattis were perhaps Hampton’s main interest. He was Vice-President of the Bugatti Owners Club and edited Bugantics from 1948-1954.

An officer in World War 2, Peter lost the use of his right arm on the last day of the conflict, which in no way diminished his driving ability. The friendly unassuming non-motor trade enthusiast was always helpful to Motor Sport (some of his cars are described in the 1943 volume). To his brother John, a fellow enthusiast and to his great many friends, our heartfelt condolences. — WB

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HR Slater

Roy Slater, who was Hon Secretary of the Alfa Romeo Section of the Vintage Sports Car Club from 1959 to 1965, died very suddenly in Italy on January 10th, at the age of 71. Roy’s long interest in Alfa Romeos began in 1930 when he heard a radio broadcast of the Tourist Trophy race (when Alfa Romeo 6C 1750s finished first, second and third) and from 1931 onwards he became a keen spectator at Brooklands. After War service, Roy was demobbed in 1946 at which time he and his wife Edna bought their first Alfa Romeo — a 1928 6C 1500 Sport with Zagato four-seater bodywork. Roy’s interests extended to other makes: Alvis, Bugatti and Lancia in particular, but Alfa Romeos remained his first love.

He collaborated with Peter Hull on Alfa Romeo, a History, which is still the best overview of Alfa Romeo history published so far and with Luigi Fusi, he was co-author of The 6C 1750 Alfa Romeo.

In the late 1960s he and Edna moved to live in Italy, where Roy was for several years involved with the organisation of the Registro Italiano Alfa Romeo. –ALC

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Colonel Arthur Cyril Roy Waite, MC

Arthur Waite sadly died on the 25th January 1991 aged 96 after failing eyesight and crippling arthritis for so long.

Born in Adelaide on the 9th April 1894 he married Irene, Lord Austin’s daughter on the 16th October 1918 and raced ‘Black Maria’, the fast Austin Twenty. In 1923 he formed the first Austin Seven racing team and in 1925 developed the first blown Seven with Austin-built three-lobed Roots-type supercharger. He returned to Australia in 1926 to take charge of Austin activities there winning the first Australian Grand Prix in 1928.1n 1929 he came back to join the main Austin Board taking control of sales, Service, Publicity and Completion.

After crashing whilst driving in the TT race he ceased active racing and recruited Murray Jamieson to design those beautiful ‘Twin Cam’ racers and he created the ‘Grasshopper’ Trials Cars. —FTH