Tony Crook in Octane Magazine

rubino · #1 (**permalink**) 25-04-11, 08:42 PM

Maybe Markus misses the point. Joe Lewis and Tavistock are well known for sure, but they did claim to own Bristol Cars for several years. Some say that Silverton was Joe Lewis's son-in-law when the original deal was done, but that Silverton and Lewis's daughter subsequently divorced and that's when the Tavistock funds dried up, leaving Silverton to pick up the tab. Difference being, Silverton is (or was) a millionaire, but Joe Lewis is a billionaire (and still is).
Best, Rubino

Markus Berzborn · #2 (**permalink**) 25-04-11, 09:18 PM

Yes, I also think the reason for Bristol Cars sliding into administration was Mr. Lewis withdrawing his money.
Because from all information and impressions available I cannot conclude that Bristol were selling, restoring and servicing less vehicles in the last few years than they were doing when Toby Silverton took over.

Regards,
Markus

jimfoz · #3 (**permalink**) 26-04-11, 11:36 AM

Maybe Joe Lewis was also a bit aggrieved that he was throwing money at a new project (the Fighter) which could never possibly recoup its costs within a reasonable timeframe?

Markus Berzborn · #4 (**permalink**) 26-04-11, 01:40 PM

Well, as (I believe) Victor Gauntlett said: How do you make a small fortune out of car manufacturing? Start with a big one.

Regards,
Markus

GREG · #5 (**permalink**) 26-04-11, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markus Berzborn

Well, as (I believe) Victor Gauntlett said: How do you make a small fortune out of car manufacturing? Start with a big one.

Regards,
Markus

Mr Gauntlett new about good cars ! I have his old 411 S2 !!

Ronald G. Stephenson · #6 (**permalink**) 26-04-11, 07:27 PM

Glad to see some humor being injected into this thread. Oh, the U.S. of A. had a Joe Lewis. He was a prize fighter. Maybe the name Fighter came from that? Perhaps not..........

GREG · #7 (**permalink**) 27-04-11, 01:18 AM

Maybe !!!!!

browning l · #8 (**permalink**) 27-04-11, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronald G. Stephenson

Glad to see some humor being injected into this thread. Oh, the U.S. of A. had a Joe Lewis. He was a prize fighter. Maybe the name Fighter came from that? Perhaps not..........

Right, we did...His name was Joseph Louis Barrow, who fought under the name of Joe Louis. More than a fighter, he was the world's heavyweight champion. After wining the title by knocking out Germany's Max Schmeling in the first round, he served in the US Army in WWII.

And, it's my understanding that the former Silverton FIL, Joe Lewis, spends much of his time in the US, in FL, as well.

I suspect most of us think the "Fighter" appellation derived from the Bristol aircraft heritage...though they mostly made bombers for WWII, they did make some fighter models for WWI, I believe, such as the BrisFit.

http://www.airmuseumsuk.org/airshow/...%20Fighter.jpg