Earlier this week, on May 12, we lost one of the greatest Automotive writers of our time. Beverly Rae Kimes had been in failing health for several months, but true to her indomitable spirit, had planned to return to her favorite project of editing "The Classic Car" and "The Bulletin". Bev had held the CCCA Editior's position for over 20 years, making these publications consistent award winners in automotive publishing circles.
Bev began her career as the very first employee hired by L Scott Bailey for the then yet-to-be-published Automobile Quarterly. She rose to Senior Editorship of that prestigious magazine before moving on to free-lance writing. Among the many books Bev authored were the two CCCA published works: "The Classic Car" and "The Classic Era". Both of these have been honored with several awards including the Cugnot Award presented by the Society of Automotive Historians. Other books by Bev also were so distinguished, and there are few automotive writing awards that have not been presented to Beverly.
On top of her career accomplishments, Bev was a genuinely delightful individual. Although in fragile health for several years, she and her husband Jim Cox traveled extensively, visiting nearly every significant auto event in the country in recent years. At every appearance she was cheerful and talkative, sharing her vast knowledge of automotive history with anyone showing the slightest interest. Her passing leaves a huge hole in our hobby and our hearts. I am pleased to have been among the many able to call her "my friend".
Jim Cox has asked that memorial contributions be made to the National Kidney Foundation. An obituary will be published in the New York Times, Sunday May 18.
Jon Lee

This is certainly a great loss. The depth and durability of her work was evident in all her writings, going back so many years. Fortunately, much was published and will endure for many years to come. Hopefully, car clubs, museums, and individuals will step forward to ensure these materials are archived appropriately.

Thanks to Ms. Kimes for all those well written, edited and thoroughly researched articles, and my sympathies to her survivors.

Bill S
Albuquerque

Right on Bill , I couldn't have said it better

This obituary appeared in the New York Times and was written by Bev's husband Jim:

COX--Beverly Rae Kimes. August 17th 1939-May12th 2008. Passed away May 12, 2008, at Lenox Hill Hospital after a long illness. Born in West Chicago, IL. The daughter of Raymond L. and Grace D. Parrin Kimes. Her growing up years were in Wheaton, IL. She attended U of I Urbana Illinois. Then on to Penn State at State College Pennsylvania for her Masters in Liberal Arts and subsequently to New York City to pursue her career. After finding no work in her field of choice, writing for Theater Publications, she took what she referred to, as a job to pay the bills. The job, however, would become her lifelong career. Hired at Automobile Quarterly in 1963, as a secretary. Her first ride in an Old Car was from Times Square to the Worlds Fair in a 1903 Curved Dash Oldsmobile driven by Henry Austin Clark Jr., of Glen Cove, NY. She would remain at A.Q. until 1981. It is my opinion as well as others, that A.Q. would not have been as it grew to be without her skills, leadership and hard work. She went free lance, and also became the Editor for the Classic Car Club of America, a job she would fulfill for 26 plus years. Her first Book as a free lance author was The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942, with Henry Austin Clark Jr. The Book has become a must for Automotive Writers as well as Hobbyists through out the World. Her last Book just out is Walter L. Marr, Buick's Amazing Engineer. Her writings are so massive it would be hard to list them all here. For more about her google her: Beverly Rae Kimes. Her Books and Articles have received more Awards than any other Author in the Automotive Field. She was referred to by Life Magazine as the "nation's foremost automotive scholar" ACD Club, bestow her Woman of The Year Award, CCCA with their Distinguished Service Award, Distinguished Service Citation from the Automotive Hall of Fame, she became the first historian to receive this award, A Lifetime Achievement Award as well as the Best of Books honor from IAM Awards. She served as the Voice of the Burn Concours d'Elegance of the Eastern United States for 17 years. She was also an Honorary Judge at The Pebble Beach Concours. A past President of The Society of Automotive Historians. She is Survived by Her Husband James H. Cox, a Sister Sharon of Star Lake, WI, a niece Plam Sauer, Mudra, her husband Billy and Grace and Will of Thackerville, OK, Cullen Sauer, wife Michelle and Thomas, of Elburn, IL. Three step kids, James H. Cox Jr, and family Marry Ann, Brittany and Jim Jr of Bushkill, PA, Lori Ann Cox Reeve, and family Tim, Nick, Alexia, and Haily of Hampton, NJ, Cheryl Lynn Cox Redding and family Bill and Lizzy of Baltimore, MD. Beverly Loved New York City and was often involved in programs to make the City a better place, she served as The President of The East 80th St Block Association. She also served as an officer for the U of I Alumni Club of Greater New York. Beverly was Truly a Very Loving and Caring Person, the whole of her life, she touched the hearts and minds of a lot of people, she will be very sadly missed, but she will never be forgotten. Lovingly, Husband Jim. "Funeral services are private". Memorial contributions may be made to National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org or 1-800-6229010

There's a big lesson in that. Give people a ride in your old car. You never know what it will lead to...

How very true, and it is such a simple thing to do. Better yet, you could even let them drive it. It is very unlikely that someone would actually damage your car, but it is very likely that you will have a new convert.

careful about letting people unfamiliar with your car drive it, damage can occur and it can also be dangerous. I used to let anyone drive mine but will not do that anymore, its amazing what can happen with someone else behind the wheel!

I can't say that I've ever had any problem with someone driving my cars. Of course I do go along with them, and also give them a quick run through of the things that they need to know. That’s part of the fun for both of us. It also helps to ask if they have ever driven a manual transmission vehicle. Many people have not.

You also don't want to do anything stupid, like subject them to freeway traffic on their first attempt. There is a time and place for everything and this isn't it. In a low traffic situation, like around a car show field, you will probably be OK.

A little common sense certainly goes a long way. I would not recommend inviting a total stranger to drive your fresh restoration onto the show field at Pebble Beach. There is too much at stake.

Maybe I've been extremely lucky, but so far the only damage that has ever happened to my antique or Classic cars has been my fault, and that has been minor.

But OK, if it bothers you to let someone drive, you can at least give them a ride.