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Vic Outen: Longstanding Motoring Enthusiast.
It is with great sadness that I have to inform members of the passing of club member Vic Outen. Vic has corresponded with me since 1975, about motoring in general and in particular the Ford V8 and his admiration for the 1936 Model 68 Cabriolet. Vic owned one of these cars from 1953 until 1963. Although owning many Ford models since he never forgot the Ford V8.
Vic was a founder member of the Ford V8 Register in 1962. A profile of Vic noted
he was 39 years old at the time. Vic was also a founder member of the British Hot
Rod Association. He also wrote letters to most of the motoring magazines including
Car Mechanics, Motor Sport and Hot Car. More recently The Automobile and Classic
and Sports-
Club member Ian Milburn said that Vic was the most helpful man and when Ian purchased a 1936 Cabriolet in the seventies, Vic provided plenty of sound advice.
Vic has not been around the rally fields for a good fifteen years due to health reasons but he kept occupied by writing letters most days of the week and always full of enthusiasm for the vehicles he loved. I received my last letter from Vic only two days before his death, so he kept busy right to the end.
I have found the very first article he wrote in the `Ford V8 Register` Bulletin dated Spring 1962. I thought it a fitting tribute to include this to illustrate the enthusiasm Vic had throughout his life:
One Man and his V8 by Vic Outen.
When I was a young lad my favourite Sunday treat in the summer was to get my dad
to take me out on the Sidcup By-
The kind of cars that impressed me the most were the American Coupes and Roadsters
of the period-
In those days a new Ford V8 cost around £220, I believe. Anyway as I grew up and retained my interest in cars I still had the thought in mind that if I could ever afford a car I would have a Ford V8. So when in 1953 I was enjoying my hobby of window shopping round the car dealers I saw IT. IT being a 1936 Ford Type 68 Cabriolet. Cash price £120, which at that time was quite reasonable.
I got a friend who knew about Ford V8`s to give it a trial run, and he said it was worth the money and motored very well for its age. The mileage was only 42,000 and it had been used during the war for farm work, as I found out later from a previous owner.
So I bought my first car, learnt to drive, and passed my test first time, which feat amazed me somewhat as it was about the first time that I had passed any test first go!
Well that is it the first article written by Vic in a Ford Magazine for the V8 Enthusiast. Later Vic went on to join the Pre 50 American Auto Club, Classic American Auto Club G.B. Early Ford V8 Club Regional Group UK 127 and Ford XR Owners Club. A special Trophy was commissioned for Vic By the XR owners, in recognition of his support for the club `The Vic Outen Trophy` last year which will now be a fitting tribute to his memory.
Chris Sanders
President
Early Ford V8 Club
Regional Group UK 127
