RIP Ollie WInterbottom. Memorial and Condolences Topic

[Kimbers 1,931]

It is with great sadness that I have seen it announced (and my father informed me) that Lotus/Jaguar and TVR Stalwart, Ollie Winterbottom, has passed away.

Ollie was my Godfather. He was not just my fathers workmate and Friend. They were best friends and often talked and attended Lotus event together. MJK was in contact with him a couple of days before his death as they often spoke while Ollie was in recovery from an illness. Just the day before MJK was talking to Ollies sister about his health and recovery.

Ollie passed away in his sleep Friday morning.

I remember Ollie being a part of my life since I was 4 years old. I remember the parties at everyone's houses and was friends with his kids. When Dad left Lotus he still kept in touch will Ollie and I have been drinking in the same pub as Ollie for the past 10 years. Often stopping and chatting and passing on regards to our families.

It would be nice if you had met Ollie, if you could tell a story about him or if not simply pass on your regards for someone who started off the whole Wedge revolution, as I intend to print this off in the future and present it to his family.

Those Iconic pictures of Ollie and My Dad standing next to their creation was recreated years later at a Classic car show and if you have any pics either personal or from articles etc, then please post them here.

MJK will make a comment but right now he is too upset to put anything into words.

RIP Ollie, I know you will already have a Pint on the go and asking someone up there if you can redesign their clouds which just aren't pointy enough!!

 

[Bibs 11,726]

RIP Ollie, very sad news indeed. A real Lotus stalwart and wonderful man. Condolences to his friends and family. 

[Escape 849]

RIP Ollie...

[yeller77 129]

RIP Ollie 😭  Truly one of the more colorful and valuable threads in the Lotus tapestry. His book, A Life in Car Design is a must read. Thoughts out to his family, the Kimberleys and the many other families I'm sure he touched.

[DarrylV8 238]

RIP Ollie

our thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends 

[Mike Kimberley 87]

Little did I think that by introducing Ollie to Colin Chapman for a job interview in October 1970 that our paths, families, careers and lives would be so intertwined and so full of challenge, achievement, fun and heartache.

Always a totally dedicated and committed 'larger than life' Lotus character, he never stopped championing Colin Chapman and his  'efficiency in all things' DNA, together with promoting Lotus cars and its innovative engineering achievements. 

RIP my very good and true friend of 50 years from our first working together on a small Jaguar project after finishing our apprenticeships.

Mike

 

 

[skiing 112]

Very sorry to hear this - he was clearly a fantastic man and created some iconic and wonderful designs. Sad to hear he has gone to the great pub in the sky but what a brilliant legacy he leaves for us to enjoy. Once we are all out of the era of Covid, I hope to see a wedge re-union in his honour (perhaps with even lowly Esprit drivers like me allowed to attend). RIP.

[rjwooll 219]

It is very sad that Oliver has passed. Here is the picture Kimbers wanted to see of Oliver and Mike recreating that PR shot next to my Elite (still stickered up from it's Le Mans trip) at the NEC in 2015:

 

[Kimbers 1,931]

 

[yeller77 129]

For those yet unaware, the USLOT podcast that just dropped is dedicated to Ollie including reminiscences by MJK as well as two journalists who have owned and enjoyed his designs. 

At 1 hr 23 min, a larger than life podcast for a larger than life designer.