Monument to Vivian Charlotte Lewis, All Saints Churchyard, Bisham Berkshire.
"In Loving Memory of Vivian Charlotte wife of David Lewis Born 22 April 1923 - Died in her racing car at Brighton Speed Trials 14th September 1963"
Vivian Charlotte Lewis was born Vivian Charlotte Hordern on 22nd April 1923 to Charles Hordern, and his wife Cecil Pearl Beeching. Search on her life has proved difficult as the spelling of her first name constantly changed throughout official records. All that is known of Vivian's life is that she married David Lewis in 1952 in Westminster, London.
Sadly, due to the manner of her passing, a lot is known about her death. The Sydney Morning Herald reported on 15th September 1963:
Damaged.
Flames shot 20ft into the air as it exploded. Two timing marshals narrowly escaped as parts of the wreckage landed a few yards from their desk. Some of the timing equipment was damaged.
Racing was stopped for 40 minutes after the crash - the first fatality in the 58 year history of the trials.
Mrs Lewis was married but had no children"
On that day Vivian was racing a 1958 Tojeiro sportscar that was fitted with a Jaguar engine. The actual car that was involved in the accident was sold, restored and resold at auction.
Sadly, due to the manner of her passing, a lot is known about her death. The Sydney Morning Herald reported on 15th September 1963:
"London, Saturday holiday markers saw a woman racing driver killed when her car somersaulted and burst into flames at Brighton today. The car hit a kerb, exploded and crashed into a children's playground on the promenade. The driver Mrs Vivenne [sic] Lewis, 35 [sic] of Cookham Dean, Berkshire, was competing in the Brighton speed trials when her Jaguar hit the kerb and went out of control.
Damaged.
Flames shot 20ft into the air as it exploded. Two timing marshals narrowly escaped as parts of the wreckage landed a few yards from their desk. Some of the timing equipment was damaged.
Racing was stopped for 40 minutes after the crash - the first fatality in the 58 year history of the trials.
Mrs Lewis was married but had no children"
An inquest was opened into the accident. The Daily Herald reported on 20th September 1963:
"Metal fatigue in death car.
Experts told a Brighton inquest yesterday that metal fatigue fractured the front suspension of the Jaguar sports car in which competitions driver Mrs. Vivian Lewis was killed last Saturday. A verdict of accidental death was recorded on Mrs. Lewis. aged 40. of Cookham Dean. Berks. who died when the car crash into a children's playground ed during the Brighton speed trials."
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| Vivian's car restored |
The sad part of Motor Raceing. I find it amazingthe car was restored and sold on but not unheard of.
ReplyDeleteI believe she may have been one of the first female racing drivers. I was shocked that her death only got a passing mention in the news at that time.
DeleteA very dramatic end for poor Viv.
ReplyDeleteBur what a beautiful car - how interesting that it has been restored and is still loved, by someone.
It is a beautiful car. I found it simply by googling David Lewis. Amazing that the twisted burnt out wreckage could be restorted into something so beautiful.
DeleteI'm amazed it could be restored after that kind of crash.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing. Must have been a real labour of love.
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