Ferrari Le Mans Winner Paul Frère has passed away.

I was also privileged to meet Mr. Frere at Monterey a few years ago. It was a very quiet moment at the Mazda corporate tent, where he was just finishing an interview with some Japanese journalists. He did a lot of development testing and consultation with Mazda on the sportscars - they obviously know talent when they see it. I thanked him for his contributions to the history of my two favorite marques, and he most generously gave me his time and attention. A true gentleman whose contribution to motorsport is often overshadowed, and who will be missed.

 

During a much happier time.

Please credit the David Castelhano Collection
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Nice photo with Paul FRERE and Olivier GENDEBIEN after the 12 hours of Reims, FRANCE in 1958. The 250GT n°64 is #0677GT.

 

the launch of a career : Paul Frère together with Jacques Swaters at Spa in 1948 in the MG PB (4th in class)

It was there that Jacques Swaters saw (heard) for the first time in his life a Ferrari (Chinetti).

Also the beginning of a well-known history for those 2 great men....
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+1

My sentiments exactly. He was a true gentleman who was able to enjoy his life very fully. Rest in peace.

John

 

Sad to heard that news, great Pilote and niice personne.

 

Rest in peace.

 

rest in peace

 

A true gentleman, in every sense of the word........Rest in Peace.

 

Sad news - he was a true gentleman. Many years ago I had the privilege of producing limited edition models of the 1960 Le Mans winner which Paul very kindly signed. I'm glad I kept an example back for myself. Happy memories.
Nathan

 

RIP

 

I once heard a rumor that he was the driver in "Rendezvous". Later, he said he was not. He said someone had confused the story of when he drove from Paris to Monaco in a Ferrari in three hours or something. Does anyone know if he actually was the driver in Rendezvous?

 

go to www.imdb.com

enter redez vous in the search engine and enjoy the data: imdb is one of the most thorough websites I have come across.

He would never have done that video. Oh and it wasn't Elvis or Ayrton either.

Paris to Monaco in 3 hours....that's 600 + miles let me see 200 mph average...through the twisties of Burgundy and then those of provence...

 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0169173/trivia

 

To put this back on track...it was truly a great privilege to meet him.

Good night.

 

i consider myself lucky to have had he and rob walker as the contributing journalists i remember most during my youth as a r&t lover.

my favorite article was about his 308 gtb and the way he described his drive home one night. he made me feel as if i were riding beside him.

a real gentleman racer/writer.

rip

 

I paid respects in a prior post, so forgive me for veering slightly off topic, but mentions of R&T here have reminded me of another of my literary heros, Henry N. Manney, III.

Yr obt svt,

Jack.

 

pilote, Gentlement, journaliste. et sans doute beaucoup d'autres qualités.
condoléances à sa famille et ses proches.

http://brunodaytona67.canalblog.com/albums/enzo_ferrari/photos/17977007-1960_enzo_frere.html

 

rip

 

RIP

 

tribute to Paul Frère from my friend 'Clovis'
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RIP

 

What can I say other than the sentiments everyone else has expressed?

Frere's book Sports Car and Competition Driving was my introduction to driving. As an author, he is and will continue to be a great teacher to all.

 

RIP to one of the last of his era - the accomplished gentleman racer. It was a joy to read his writing.

Regards,

Jim Walker

 

A man who brought Ferrari to many. RIP