Obituary: Peter Moores

It is with the deepest regret that I have to write these words. Peter Moores was one of the most cheerful and enthusiastic of amateur vintage-car exponents and it is terribly sad that he died last February, after two serious operations for cancer, the disease that had carried off his wife many years earlier. He was hoping to have completed the rebuild of his racing Alta before the end came, but it was not to be. Peter enjoyed motorcyces when he was at Cambridge and after going to live at the Manor House at Lewknor, near Oxford, he built a fine workshop and garages there, in which to indulge in his favourite hobby. He acquired from Roger Carter the lofty 1921 24 h.p. Sunbeam Cunard bodied limousine that soon became a Moores’ hallmark, as it were, at vintage gatherings and especially at STD Register events. He also built a fine replica of the Kay Petre blown side-valve racing Austin 7, which he raced and drove in sprints. Other splendid rebuilds undertaken by Peter Moores included his Ulster Austin, the ex-Esplen Brooklands 1930 Talbot 90, and a rare 1923 12/30 six-cylinder Talbot-Darracq two-seater which I had discovered rotting away in the North of England and which Peter turned into a very presentable four-seater, his Talbot interests having been fostered after he had taken on a Roesch 110 Airline saloon to which I had drawn his attention when it was for sale in my then home-town. Peter’s cars were always immaculately turned out, yet he enjoyed driving them hard and for long distances, including Continental rallies, and his workshop and his expertise were at the disposal of anyone in need. Always willing for his house and grounds to be used for STD parties and with his ready smile and intense interest in listening to others expounding about vintage cars, this great enthusiast will he badly missed indeed by a great many people. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to his son and daughters. — W.B.