Chris Leaver Ian Richardson

Chris Leaver died two just days short of his 85th birthday, in Sydney following a short illness.

Christopher was the quintessential Englishman, raised in Brackley, and whose family was host to Giuseppe Farina for the first Formula 1 Grand Prix ever. That had a lasting impact on the youngster. After leaving school Christopher became a very prestigious Student Apprentice at Jaguar Cars - meaning he was apprenticed to every aspect of the business. He later became of a good friend of Sir William Lyons’ youngest daughter Mary. He rose to the important position of Service Manager for Jaguar Cars under Director Lofty England, and was integral to the evolution of the Lightweight E-Type. As Overseas Service Manager he came to Australia, and married Helene Fowler, Jack Bryson’s rock after son Hugh died, and who was Helene’s step-father. They were Australia’s Jaguar ‘Royal Couple’ in our opinion.

He had lived in Sydney for more than 50 years, with their own Jaguar business there. Chris was a very good friend to this magazine and we will feature him in more depth in a coming edition.