Ivan Butterworth | FerrariChat

Ivan Butterworth

Discussion in 'Australia' started by carl888, Feb 20, 2016.

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  1. carl888

    carl888 F1 Veteran
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    Oct 31, 2003
    6,431
    Melbourne, Australia
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    Carl
    Ivan Butterworth passed away last week. An early member of the FCA in the 1970s he was one of the original customers of W.H. Lowe and Company when he bought 250 GT/E #4801 new in 1961. He had some stunning cars (I'll post a list sometime) and continued his love of cars right throughout his life. Apart from Ferrari he was also a Lamborghini, Lotus and Mercedes-Benz owner.

    He ran Collingwood Brake and Tyre in Hoddle Street Collingwood for many years. He was still changing tyres well into his late 80s. I asked him a few years ago how he did it, he replied, "You're only as old as the woman you feel."

    Like so many of his time, he was a larger than life character and was always willing to share a ribald tale and joke. To say he was a ladies man is quite an understatement. Perhaps some of his stories will appear :) He was 92. R.I.P. you old devil!
     
  2. Aircon

    Aircon Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    Jun 23, 2003
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    Thanks for the info, Carl.
     
  3. hatzo

    hatzo Karting
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    Jan 25, 2006
    78
    Yes, i remember him, nice guy, spoke to him a few times

    Had a red Boxer reg JAA.??? , then a Lotus then a SLK , always with that same # plate

    RIP old chap
     
  4. simsko

    simsko F1 Rookie

    Feb 5, 2012
    3,635
    That's an interesting quote:). Rip.
     
  5. jmillard308

    jmillard308 F1 Veteran
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    May 29, 2003
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    John Millard
    So sad

    Great guy

    He WILL be missed :(

    But certainly a life well lived :)
     
  6. jmillard308

    jmillard308 F1 Veteran
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    May 29, 2003
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    #6 jmillard308, Feb 21, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  7. 360C

    360C F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    What sad news, he was a real enthusiast and all round gentleman, albeit with a wicked twinkle in his eye that he never lost.

    As a kid I used to see his 365BB with JAA number plates parked out front of his clutch and brake shop. The plate was on all his cars and years later when I got to know him through the FCA I asked him what it meant. He replied with a smile "Just another automobile" which was indicative of his humble nature.

    I can't remember whether it was Ivan or Carl relaying the conversation; but Ivan was at a lunch with us where his former 250 GTE happened to be parked with the current owner. Ivan was looking it over and was asked "Memories Ivan?" To which he replied "Hmm, you know I lost a franger in the back seat once when I had it. I wonder if it's still there?"
    He would have been about 85 at the time of the conversation :p

    A life well lived !

    RIP.
     
  8. kerrari

    kerrari Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Oct 22, 2004
    23,482
    Coolum Beach AUSTRALIA
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    Karen H.
    Sorry to hear this.
     
  9. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 10, 2005
    99,172
    Mount Isa, Australia
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    I obviously never knew the man, but he sounds like he was a lot of fun. :p:p

    And definitely sounds like he lived a very good life right up to the age of 92. :):)
     
  10. AKA

    AKA F1 Rookie

    May 17, 2005
    2,937
    Melbourne, Australia
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    John McCabe
    JAA 000 (Just Another Automobile).
     
  11. carl888

    carl888 F1 Veteran
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    Oct 31, 2003
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    #11 carl888, Feb 22, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    An image of Ivan re-united with #4801 in 2004 after 35 years. Beside him is the current owner, BQ.


    I dug up a few of the cars that Ivan owned:

    250 GT/E #4801
    365 GT 2+2 #11937...I think, can anyone confirm?
    365 GTB/4 #17609
    Was recently for sale here:
    Ferrari 365 GTB4 Daytona Competition

    365 GT/4 BB #19153
    Was anyone at the Geelong Sprints in about 1982 when Ivan gave it a huge rev and the flywheel disintegrated and exited the rear deck after blasting its way through the bell housing? It made a real mess! The result of which he needed to buy a new transmission case and bell housing, which was a VERY expensive exercise. Apparently, the car had recently had a clutch change and the mechanic changed the flywheel bolts but used a low tensile steel variety.

    He also owned I think two Countachs, a LP400 and LP400S.

    In later years, he had several Lotus Esprits and was an active member of the Lotus Club. He drove a SLK as a daily, had a few from the first model onwards.

    Jees................I'm feeling almost as old as Millard and Aircon writing this...
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  12. carl888

    carl888 F1 Veteran
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    #12 carl888, Feb 22, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  13. Aircon

    Aircon Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    Jun 23, 2003
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    Is that daytona the ex mcdermott one now at duttons?
     
  14. carl888

    carl888 F1 Veteran
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  15. simon klein

    simon klein Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Feb 25, 2009
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    simon klein
  16. au-yt

    au-yt F1 Veteran
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    Aug 13, 2006
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    Burradoo... Actually
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  17. FazzerPorscheman

    FazzerPorscheman F1 World Champ

    Jul 28, 2010
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    Piz Gloria
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    EnzoFerdinand
    Typical car dealer. Don't you just love the sales blurb.

    If this was a 512 BB, they would write how much better it is than a 365B.

    "Succeeded by the heavier, less powerful and more portly 512 BB, the 365 BB remains the connoisseur’s choice with recent price expectation in the retail arena seemingly confirming this fact."
     
  18. Horse

    Horse Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 1, 2005
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    Brisvegas
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    Jon
    True though, 365's are worth a fair bit more than 512's.

    So, if you and I were cars, I'd be a 365. :D
     
  19. FazzerPorscheman

    FazzerPorscheman F1 World Champ

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    #19 FazzerPorscheman, Mar 4, 2016
    Last edited: Mar 4, 2016
    1. Interesting, I didn't know that. A bit like 308s versus 328s then is it?

    2. Foxtrot Oscar. ;)

    BTW, I went Clay Pigeon Shooting yesterday. Went much better than last time, and no that doesn't mean one. :D
     
  20. Aircon

    Aircon Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    I wish I'd been there to root you...........


    on
     
  21. moretti

    moretti Five Time F1 World Champ
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    Nov 1, 2003
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    #21 moretti, Mar 4, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  22. 360C

    360C F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner


    Gil Matthews had a photo of Ivan's 365BB after the clutch exploded upwards into the rear deck. As I recall what was left of the clutch plate was wedged through the outer side of a jagged hole torn in the bonnet. Ugly looking mess would be an understatement.
     
  23. Napoli365

    Napoli365 Karting

    Jul 25, 2019
    77
    Full Name:
    Stefano Caretti

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