Essex sports car designer Trevers Walklett has died aged 76.

He launched the Ginetta and Dare motor companies with his brother Ivor and son Mark.

The brothers began as agricultural manufacturers and developed their racing dream from a hobby.

Trevers joined younger brother Ivor to pursue a career in racing cars and the Ginetta car club was born. With Ivor designing, Trevers took on the mechanical side.

It paid off with huge success in the 1960s with the Ginetta G4, G10, G12 and single-seaters.

When the Witham-based company was sold in 1989, Trevers did not remain in retirement long, being persuaded to launch the Dare car company with son Mark and Ivor at West Mersea.

Born in Reading, Trevers spent much of his childhood on his family's farm in Kent. He was badly wounded fighting with the parachute regiment in France in the war.

Martin Grundy, of the Ginetta Car Club, said: "Into his 70s Trevers was working harder than most men half his age. His talk was always of tomorrow, new cars and races to win - he packed more into one life than three ordinary men."

Mr Walklett is survived by his wife, son and daughter There will be a memorial service at St Mary's Church, Peldon, on February 4.

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