THE KEN BAKER CAR

Ken (Desmond) BAKER died just prior to Christmas 2009. He will be remembered not only as a gentleman, a raconteur, mine host of the Green Man at Navestock and good friend and neighbour but for his many hidden attributes: Multi linguist, Gold medal Ballroom dancer etc. etc.

A WW2 pilot, flying medical supplies into battle zones and being shot down on more than one occasion, Ken survived to tell the tale. He started his own factory after the war manufacturing Air conditioning ductIng, supplying the likes of the Ford Motor company. It was during this period, the most financially stable of his life, that he purchased his JAGUAR E TYPE registration 7 CXW.

Ken took his car to Stapleford Airfield, basically to show it off and entered it into a hill climb competition, easily winning in it's class. This was the start of a sparkling career for Ken and his car.

He went on to race in major tournaments around the world during the 1950's and 60's, driving his beloved Jaguar and a Ford Mustang and battling against such names as Moss, Surtees and Hill. Ken, in 7 CXW went on to be the most successful E Type racing driver of all time !

Ken and his car have been immortalised by CORGI in their 'WINNERS' series and although no longer on general sale, they are still turning up , being offered by collectors on Ebay.

Ken hit the International headlines in recent years when, suffering from alzheimer's, he was flown home from his house in Spain by his wife Barbara and left, with his medical notes, in Oldchurch Hospital, Romford..

Barbara was vilified by many for what was seen as a callous and heartless act although those who have not had to live with this devastating illness are not, in my opinion, qualified to pass judgement on someone who I know to have been Ken's loving and caring partner before she became unable physically and emotionally, to cope.

Whilst we cannot condone the method used by Barbara, we must, I feel, sympathise with her position and agree that, through her somewhat unorthodox actions, Ken got the best treatment and care available.

Ken lived out his remaining years in a first class residential care home in Dagenham, mercifully,largely unaware of his surroundings or circumstances.

I took this short film of Ken when he was briefly reunited with his car in the 1990's when it was brought back to Navestock by the current owner Paul WEBB. It was filmed directly onto VHS on an old Panasonic video camera, so don't expect too much !. Paul had lovingly restored the car and returned it to the 'spec' that Ken drove it in all those years before. He still owns the car and is planning to race it again in the near future.

The light Blue Ford Anglia that Paul poses with in the film was my 'project' at the time and the photos appeared in an edition of the official JAGUAR magazine, the Anglia adding some period authenticity.

This film is dedicated to the memory of KEN BAKER:

"Never beneath you, never above you, but always by your side" ... Cheers Ken !

Roy Tyzack (2010)

Copies of this film may be obtained by contacting me at:
roy.tyzack@btinternet.com

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• KEN
• BAKER.
• TYPE.
• JAGUAR.
• MOTOR
• RACING

[tonyies2]

i used to work for him at dr fabrications bryant ave gallows corner?like the video very much,i agree a true gentleman.