| Charles Pozzi, the founder of the French Ferrari concessionaire Pozzi Ferrari France, passed away on 28 February
2001 at the age of 91. He took over the importation of Ferrari in France in the late sixties, but prior to that had a long
standing love affair with fine automobiles and motor sport. He competed in the 1950 French Grand Prix in a Talbot
Lago T26C where he finished sixth, and twice competed in the Le Mans 24 Hour Race in the early fifties, finishing
eighth with Pierre Levegh in 1953. I met him on a number of occasions in recent years, and he was always charming with a warm smile despite his health problems, never wanting anybody to be put to any trouble on his behalf. I recall being with a friend who was dropping him home after a meal one evening, when he realised that he had forgotten the key to his apartment. He was almost distraught, not with his predicament, but because he felt that he was delaying and inconveniencing us. A mobile phone saved the day. This was typical of the very quiet self-effacing person that he was. My abiding memory will be that of a very modest real gentleman, the likes of whom are few and far between in the modern world. His death came after a period of ill health in a hospital in Levallois Perret in the west of Paris close to the site where he founded the Ferrari concession. At his request the funeral was a private family affair, attended by them and a few close friends. He is succeeded by his daughter Christine and a granddaughter, to whom we extend our sincere condolences. |
Keith Bluemel |