Merrick Taylor, owner 1994-1999, bought after his retirement 1994 (1939-2012)
Professor Merrick Taylor OBE, was behind the wheel of an Alfa Romeo Barchetta – one of his favourite cars – when he was involved in a collision on February 14.
His car collided with a blue Peugeot 406 in Old Milverton Lane, near Leamington, at 2.45pm. He
was declared dead at the scene.
The 73-year-old worked across the West Midlands before taking a role with Motor Panels Ltd, in Holbrook Lane, Coventry.
He stayed there for more than 30 years – joining as PA to the managing director but eventually taking the top job himself.
Under his leadership Motor Panels Ltd went on to become the largest independent cab designers and manufacturers in Europe, increasing sales ten-fold.
The company was also named as one of the top 100 companies to work for in the UK.
Prof Taylor was awarded the OBE for services to the motor industry and was an honorary graduate of Coventry University.
His family said: “We all have many fond memories of Merrick.
“One in particular springs to mind at the annual Motor Panels Coventry Shakespeare Run.
“The whole family took part, dressed in costume, departing from Coombe Abbey, with famous motor racing stars like Sir Stirling Moss at the wheel of his Jaguar C-Type.
“He is so greatly missed by us all.”
Under Prof Taylor’s leadership, the success of Motor Panels Ltd led to it becoming a takeover target for Mayflower and, in 1991, Mr Taylor was named chairman of Mayflower Automotive Products PLC until he retired in 1994.
In that time he set up manufacturing units in China, India, Malaysia, South Africa and the USA.
Away from Motor Panels Ltd, his expertise was sought after and he served on The Design Council and the West Midlands Industrial Development Board among others, and was a governor of Coventry University and De Montfort University.
Even away from work, his passion remained with motoring, taking part in fundraising rallies, often with his wife of 51 years Gisela as navigator.
A memorial service for Prof Taylor will be held in June.
(Coventry Telegraph 27.2.2012)
(Von Commercial Motors 24.2.2012)
His passion for all things motoring and his business success allowed him to indulge his interest in racing cars and an enviable collection of Classic vehicles garaged and worked upon with the fastidiousness that was typical of his nature. Frustrated not to have been a regular racing driver he built friendships to allow his pleasure to be shared by entering in the Retro “Mille
Miglia” around Italy in his favoured Jaguar ‘C’ Type and revelled in entering the charity fund raising rallies “The Irish Jaunt”, “The Highland Fling” and “The Swiss Roll” driving with great gusto, accompanied by his beloved Gisela as co-driver / navigator. His 500cc Kieft and rare Formula Junior Taraschi have regularly been invited to appear at Goodwood in trusted hands and just to hear his glee at achieving a Class result was a joy, revealing his continuing childlike enthusiasm for the sport that had spanned his lifetime.
Ironically, he was to loose his life in the cockpit of one of his favourite cars, prompting his wife’s observation tempering sadness with the words “He left home to go for a drive and has driven direct to Heaven” – a remarkable woman, wife of a remarkable man. He leaves Gisela, his daughters Annette and Julia, sons-in-law Mark and John, his grandson Thomas and a galaxy of friends and admirers.