My Friend Steve Overy

I received an e-mail around 3-4 months ago from a friend of over 10 years, Steve Overy. Steve is the proprietor of Illustra Models and Midatlantic Models, based in Battle, England.

His production facility based near Hastings, England, in an old WWII structure, manufactured mostly 1/43 1950s American iron for others to sell in the States. He ventured into some other 1/43s including Scarabs and a Chaparral with his own label.

I used to collect model cars in a truly crazy manner. I would travel to swap meets all over the USA, and to Europe's largest in Brussels. That is where I met Steve. Since then my youngest daughter and I have visited his home in Battle, England, on numerous occasions. We would meet for dinner in Brussels, we met his two children in Orlando when they won tickets to Disneyworld.

Steve should have been a stand-up comic, he always kept us howling. Steve's e-mails were usually very humorous, but this one was different. He told us he had brain cancer. In August I received an update, he tried to sound optimistic. He and long time, very long time, girlfriend Tina got married this past August 30. That pretty much told me what I needed to know.

I got the real story in an e-mail exchange with his incredlibe daughter Katie in September. That is about the time I found out my wife has cancer.

I called his home today in Battle, England, spoke his wife Tina. I had hoped that my wife could meet Steve in March on a trip to England. But unfortunetely, at this time, the hope is Steve will just make it through Christmas. He may not be conscious, but he will be surrounded by his great family and friends from Battle. His son Russell has Steve's first grandson, they will all be there this weekend. I could not talk to Steve which realy made me sad. He is fading rapidly.

My wife's cancer is operable, in January, but in a small way I can understand how Steve's wife Tina feels. A constant fear.

So, if any of you have ever met Steve, give him and his family a little mental blessing today. And if you have never heard of him, still send a mental blessing. He was one of us model car fanatics. For me, Steve Overy will always be one of most incredible people I have ever met.

His wedding day:
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Sorry to hear that, best wishes to you all.

 

That is indeed very sad.

My thoughts also to you and your wife.

 

VERY sorry to hear, RP.

Thoughts and prayers to him and his family...

And also to you and yours!
Alan

 

He sounds like a great guy especially since he puts up with you RP!! j/k

Good thoughts and a prayer sent to his wife and their entire family.

 

I received the inevitable message today. Steve did not make it through the holidays, he passed without pain this past Thursday.

I hope I can leave as great a legacy as did Steve Overy.

 

Sad to hear, RIP.

 

R.I.P.

 

Hello RP, after reading your email about Steve I felt compelled to write something...

My name is Adrian and I was Katie's boyfriend at the time she won the competition to send us four to Disney in Florida. We met you on international drive, if memory serves me correctly...and I experienced my first ever Drive-Thru Icecream, which still havent caught on in the Uk worst luck

I too was devastated to hear the news about Steve, I sat in silence for what seemed ages. Although I was only with Katie for a couple of years, I became good friends with Steve and we had really great times together, ones that will remain in my mind forever. Like so many people have said, he was very charismatic, larger then life itself!

I have been intouch with Katie to pass my condolences via email, because she now lives in Dubai and I didn't find out until April, whilst searching through the local anoucements.

On the topic of Ferrari, I had the fortunate opportunity to be invited by Ferrari to the F1GP at Silverstone last year... We had stefano domenicali himself show us around the pits and were introduced to the drivers in the VIP lounge. It was a great experience which I hope to get this year as well. My best friend works as a pit mechanic for Ross Brawn #mercedes petronas, so if not I will sneak in with them 8P..

Anyway... nice to make contact after all these years, besides being over some dreadful news, I shall remain to browse these forums from now on.

Regards

Adrian

 

After reading your message I felt compelled to write a reply...
My name is Adrian and I was Katie's boyfriend at the time of her winning that prize to send myself, her, Russell and his partner to Disney in Florida. If memory serves me correctly we met you on International drive and it was there I first experienced a drive-thru ice-cream stop!.. Which hasn’t caught on in the UK yet worst luck?
I too was shocked to hear the bad news about Steve, I recall sitting in silence for what seemed ages, struggling to come to terms with what I was reading. I only found out in April whilst reading through some old local articles on the net.
Katie now lives in Dubai, but I was sure to get on and email my condolences to her and Russell on their loss as soon as I could. They had lost their mother only 18 months before this tragedy struck!
Although I was only with Katie for a few years, I had a really good friendship with Steve and we would spend lots of time chatting and reminiscing about his good old days in the film industry, he was like a father figure to me and I respected him for his knowledge and values. I will never forget him and the good times we shared.
Whilst we are on the Ferrari forums, maybe I should share last years experience… I was fortunate enough to be invite by Ferrari to the F1GP @ Silverstone last year, I had full VIP access and we were shown around the pits and introduced to the drivers by Mr Stefano Domenicali himself!
It was a great experience which I hope to do again this year. As it happens one of my best friends works as a pit mechanic for Ross Brawn Mercedes, so chances are I could sneak in with him if not with Ferrari again.
Either way, now that I am registered to this forum I will continue to browse and enjoy what information the members have to share.
Kind regards
Adrian

 

Sorry if my post pops up twice by the way.. I was unaware of the delay