Bill Drake judging the Concours D’Elegance at the VVC 3-Gear Event in August 2016 - Photo by Paul Hart
Very sad to hear this afternoon that VVC cornerstone, Bill Drake, has passed.
Bill was probably best known to most members as the club contact responsible for dating certificates and thereby obtaining your V5 registration document, making your Vespa road legal - a post he held for years for both the Veteran Vespa Club and Vespa Club of Britain. In recent months, due to ill health, Bill had been unable to fulfil these duties as he normally would - arrangements to continue this service are currently being looked at by the club.
Bill was also a committed collector and often the first port of call for those sourcing that rare, elusive, hard to get part - Bill would often turn up trumps. I visited Bill at his Hampshire home when I was photographing for my own ‘Retrospective Scooters‘ photography book in 2013; his collection featuring heavily. He was an ever-present at VVC rallies and events over many years and a constant supporter of the club - when the ‘VVC Hall of Fame’ was created, Bill was among its first inductees. Bill was mild-mannered, softly spoken but very knowledgeable on all things vintage Vespa; he was however very modest and unassuming with it. He told things how he saw them, didn’t seem to care too much for what people thought of him but was always polite and a gentleman. Bill would often help me out with the VVC JOURNAL, sending me pieces such as period Piaggio or Douglas adverts and lovely old photos. Preoccupied as I am with making the club magazine look ‘pretty’ and visually appealing, I would ask Bill on occasion what he thought of it, the reply being something like “it’s alright I suppose”. Probably more down to Bill not really having an artistic eye, by his own admission I’m sure, but I always found him very helpful and generous with his time and always ready to help me with my Journal endeavours.
I knew Bill a bit, latterly in his life, but I’m sure other members will be able to elaborate more widely on his life and Vespa exploits - the next VVC JOURNAL (No.88) will include a fitting tribute to Bill Drake.
So long Bill, you will be sorely missed but fondly remembered by those who knew you. All the best - Paul Hart (VVC Editor).
P.S. In the meantime Martin Sambrook has set up a Just Giving page for Bill at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/billdrake