Shropshire, ENGLAND — Norman Dewis, Jaguar’s test and development engineer and driver for more than 30 years, passed away June 8 at his home here. He was 98.
Norman Dewis at Goodwood. Photo: Steve Havelock
Dewis fought in WWII and later helped develop the disc brake and many of the brand’s legendary models including the C-Type, D-Type and E-Type.
With more than a million high-speed test miles under his belt and having survived some monumental crashes without a scratch, he retired from Jaguar in 1985 at the age of 65 and had since been an ambassador for the company.
In 2015 Dewis received a well-deserved OBE from Prince Charles for services to the motor industry and in 2017 was inducted into the British Sports Car Hall of Fame in Petersburg, Virginia.
He was an enthusiastic participant in various historic and vintage events, made appearances stateside at the Amelia Island Concours, The Quail — A Motorsports Gathering and the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, where he delighted fans with tales of his Jaguar days, his memory incredibly sharp.
Norman’s zest for life and adventure was second to none, and the twinkle never left his eyes.
Vintage Motorsport published an in-depth feature on Dewis’ entire career in the 19.1, Jan/Feb 2019 issue.
