Ivan Butterworth

Ivan Butterworth passed away last week. An early member of the FCA in the 1970s he was one of the original customers of W.H. Lowe and Company when he bought 250 GT/E #4801 new in 1961. He had some stunning cars (I'll post a list sometime) and continued his love of cars right throughout his life. Apart from Ferrari he was also a Lamborghini, Lotus and Mercedes-Benz owner.

He ran Collingwood Brake and Tyre in Hoddle Street Collingwood for many years. He was still changing tyres well into his late 80s. I asked him a few years ago how he did it, he replied, "You're only as old as the woman you feel."

Like so many of his time, he was a larger than life character and was always willing to share a ribald tale and joke. To say he was a ladies man is quite an understatement. Perhaps some of his stories will appear He was 92. R.I.P. you old devil!

 

Thanks for the info, Carl.

 

Yes, i remember him, nice guy, spoke to him a few times

Had a red Boxer reg JAA.??? , then a Lotus then a SLK , always with that same # plate

RIP old chap

 

That's an interesting quote. Rip.

 

So sad

Great guy

He WILL be missed

But certainly a life well lived

 

Ivan at FCA Rally Concorso 2012
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What sad news, he was a real enthusiast and all round gentleman, albeit with a wicked twinkle in his eye that he never lost.

As a kid I used to see his 365BB with JAA number plates parked out front of his clutch and brake shop. The plate was on all his cars and years later when I got to know him through the FCA I asked him what it meant. He replied with a smile "Just another automobile" which was indicative of his humble nature.

I can't remember whether it was Ivan or Carl relaying the conversation; but Ivan was at a lunch with us where his former 250 GTE happened to be parked with the current owner. Ivan was looking it over and was asked "Memories Ivan?" To which he replied "Hmm, you know I lost a franger in the back seat once when I had it. I wonder if it's still there?"
He would have been about 85 at the time of the conversation

A life well lived !

RIP.

 

Sorry to hear this.

 

I obviously never knew the man, but he sounds like he was a lot of fun.

And definitely sounds like he lived a very good life right up to the age of 92.

 

JAA 000 (Just Another Automobile).

 

An image of Ivan re-united with #4801 in 2004 after 35 years. Beside him is the current owner, BQ.


I dug up a few of the cars that Ivan owned:

250 GT/E #4801
365 GT 2+2 #11937...I think, can anyone confirm?
365 GTB/4 #17609
Was recently for sale here:
Ferrari 365 GTB4 Daytona Competition

365 GT/4 BB #19153
Was anyone at the Geelong Sprints in about 1982 when Ivan gave it a huge rev and the flywheel disintegrated and exited the rear deck after blasting its way through the bell housing? It made a real mess! The result of which he needed to buy a new transmission case and bell housing, which was a VERY expensive exercise. Apparently, the car had recently had a clutch change and the mechanic changed the flywheel bolts but used a low tensile steel variety.

He also owned I think two Countachs, a LP400 and LP400S.

In later years, he had several Lotus Esprits and was an active member of the Lotus Club. He drove a SLK as a daily, had a few from the first model onwards.

Jees................I'm feeling almost as old as Millard and Aircon writing this...
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I think this is Ivan's old 365 GT 2+2. Was owned by Dennis J at this time, 2004.
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Is that daytona the ex mcdermott one now at duttons?

 

Just goes to show, drop out of the Ferrari world for 6 months and look what happens!

Yes.

1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Competizione

 

Yes,indeed....slowcoach.......

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/144485210-post20706.html

 

Ivan's Boxer for Auction at Silverston Auction UK
1976 Ferrari 365 GT4 Berlinetta Boxer - Silverstone Auctions

 

Typical car dealer. Don't you just love the sales blurb.

If this was a 512 BB, they would write how much better it is than a 365B.

"Succeeded by the heavier, less powerful and more portly 512 BB, the 365 BB remains the connoisseur’s choice with recent price expectation in the retail arena seemingly confirming this fact."

 

True though, 365's are worth a fair bit more than 512's.

So, if you and I were cars, I'd be a 365.

 

1. Interesting, I didn't know that. A bit like 308s versus 328s then is it?

2. Foxtrot Oscar.

BTW, I went Clay Pigeon Shooting yesterday. Went much better than last time, and no that doesn't mean one.

 

I wish I'd been there to root you...........


on

 

I thought Horse was very rude to you Wes, you're more like an old Monaro
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Gil Matthews had a photo of Ivan's 365BB after the clutch exploded upwards into the rear deck. As I recall what was left of the clutch plate was wedged through the outer side of a jagged hole torn in the bonnet. Ugly looking mess would be an understatement.

 

Hello Carl,

I am putting together a registry of 365 GT 2+2 (currently available here on Ferrarichat.com or https://drive.google.com/open?id=1zq-rUGL4T7oy7bLd73hwsZkT_yagzVhw ) thus I would be very interested in getting to know more information on the 11937 (and/or pictures) you mention above.

Sincerely,

Stefano