RIP Norman Dewis, 1920-2019

The diminutive, ever-popular factory test driver Norman Dewis has died, aged 98. Associated with Jaguar for his entire working life, he was a pivotal member of the British team throughout the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s. His endeavours developed the disc brake for use in racing cars, made the D-type into a race winner and the E-type the high-performance road car of the 1960s.

With David Hobbs, Dewis carried out all the high-speed tests on the stillborn XJ13 mid-engined racing car and was at its wheel on 20 January 1971 when the car left the road at the MIRA test track, rolling into a ploughed field. Thanks to his small stature, Dewis walked away with just a stiff neck.

But then he was used to danger: during WW2 he was ‘Tail-End Charlie’ in the rear turret of RAF bombers, one of the most dangerous positions in combat. Racing in the 1950s must have seemed a walk in the park, though outings as a Works Jaguar driver were rare. His skill was as a test and development engineer, gaining the confidence of stars such as Stirling Moss and Mike Hawthorn who, when asked to attend a test session and saw that Dewis was already there, told the team manager, “Why am I here? If Norman’s satisfied with it, I’m satisfied.”

Dewis’s role lasted into the 1970s and he worked on Jaguar road cars including the XJ6, XJ40 and XJS. In recent years he was an ambassador – perhaps more 'mascot' – for the company, popping up at Pebble Beach and the modern Mille Miglia alongside more glamorous companions such as Jodie Kidd or David Gandy.

He was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in 2015. Always in good humour and dapper with his trademark bootlace tie, Dewis worked well into his 90s and was a popular figure at events worldwide.

They don’t make them like that any more – have a pint of M&B on us, Norman.

Norman Dewis, born 3 August 1920, died 8 June 2019.

Photo by Tim Scott of Fluid Images