Vic Elford

[FA-18C]

20 years ago when I still had my 70 911E, I reached out to Vic to purchase a couple of B&W early 911 racing photos from him. Pretty straightforward transaction, and after I sent a thank you note. The next week he called me and thanked me for the note, and then spent 45 minutes just talking 911 with me. Didn't have to, but I could tell he just loved cars, driving and everything about it. His generosity of his personal time to connect is what keeps drawing me back into the air-cooled and Porsche world.

Along my early 911 path I was fortunate to have similar experiences with Bruce Anderson at a Jerry Woods engine tech class in the mid-90s, bought a car from Bat Masterson at Brumos, and spent hours on the phone with Cris Huergas talking factory mods. Grady Clay helped me sort my MFI, and the list goes on...

[MRM]

My son bought me a copy of his most recent book for Christmas from his website and his experience was similar. They didn't talk by phone, but they emailed quite a bit and it was very enjoyable for my son to communicate directly with a legend. He ended up sticking an extra autograph card of him and his wife in the book, in addition to the autograph and personal inscription.

[Baz]

Thanks to ALL for posting their personal accounts with this great man. I've enjoyed reading all of them.

FYI: there's a lot on his Wiki page including this story.....

During the 1972 24 Hours of Le Mans, when he saw a burning Ferrari Daytona in front of him, Elford stopped in mid-race to save the driver. When opening the door, Elford found an empty cockpit, as the driver already had escaped. Elford then noticed the wreck of a Lola among the trees, with Jo Bonnier having been killed. Cameras caught the act and Elford was named Chevalier of the National Order of Merit by French President Georges Pompidou.

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Also from Porsche:
https://newsroom.porsche.com/en_US/2022/motorsport/porsche-mourns-the-death-of-vic-elford-27715.html

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I think most are familiar with the excellent 1972 "The Speed Merchants" by Michael Keyser - here is an excerpt showcasing Elford's driving and narration.......

[PatrickM]

He was as classy as they come. I met him in 2006 at the Porsche Parade here in Portland. Bought his book, chatted with him a bit. A fine Englishman for sure. Snapped this pic of him goofing with George Follmer.

[PatrickM]

Follmer was on the other tractor.

[FA-18C]

[Rtrorkt]

was lucky enough to see him talk at Luft at the Peterson. Fabulous stories

RIP Quick Vic

[Eric at Pelican Parts]

Over the years I've seen Vic many times at Werks Reunion and Rennsport Reunion... always sat down to listen to him talk for hours. One of the most down to earth heroes with so many amazing stories to share. RIP Vic.



I don't have too many model cars of Vic's cars but this 917K sits on my desk.

[greglepore]

Originally Posted by FA-18C

Ok, how did you know Boog?

[FA-18C]

That was my call sign over 20+ years flying in the Navy…

[greglepore]

Originally Posted by FA-18C

That was my call sign over 20+ years flying in the Navy…

Lol. I loved that era of the o’s


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by FA-18C

That was my call sign over 20+ years flying in the Navy…

Cool.

I was a Tigers fan in the 60's living in Toledo so I remember the original Boog.

[FA-18C]

Got tagged with Baltimore upper class at USNA, it just stuck.

[herr_oberst]