Norman Dewis OBE was Jaguar’s legendary test driver, a man of great knowledge and a precise understanding of the motor car.
He is best known for his time with Jaguar as an outstanding test driver, but equally importantly, his ability to succinctly report handling and performance issues with his beloved Jaguars.
A humble man and yet a man who lived life to the full. From serving in the RAF as a central turret gunner in a bomber in a Blenheim Mk IV, a plane with the highest casualty rate.
The man that partnered with Stirling Moss in the 1952 Mille Miglia
The same man. On 20 October 1953, at Jabbeke, Belgium drove a Jaguar XK120 to 172.412 mph, a record for production cars.
The man who reported about the D-type, ‘I got that car up to 192 mph on the Mulsanne Straight at Le Mans.’
Norman, whilst tyre testing the D-type at full speed on the Autostrada del Sol on the Adriatic coast on deliberately lower tyre pressures, until the tyres burst.
‘This is the job of a test driver. You have to do these things.’
Norman’s passion for Jaguar cars was as strong and infectious as his passion for life, with over a million Jaguar test miles at an average speed of 100 mph.
The definition of a legend is someone who leaves behind an unforgettable impression on others.
Then, Norman Dewis, you are a legend.
