Above, Michael and Vicki Lynch, Pebble Beach, 2016.
By Pete Vack, Editor
Michael T. Lynch was a born writer. He wrote for Road & Track, Cavallino, Vintage Motorsport, and many more international automotive journals. He was respected around the world and always in demand. That he liked what we were doing with VeloceToday.com and that he was willing to contribute meant a great deal to me (and our readers). His approval tended to justify our existence; his continued support over the years meant that we were on the right path.
Michael wrote short features that were virtually flawless because of his obsession with perfection. We’d be up both on the phone and on the Internet the night before VeloceToday was to be sent out, making sure that every name, every fact, every comma was perfect. He knew better than I who would be reading his work…and sure enough, his articles were among the top performers and elicited the most intelligent comments from more readers than most other articles. For our Monterey coverage, Lynch was the ultimate insider, knowing not only the drivers and entrants but the organizers and politicians and the turmoil behind the scenes.
Growing up in the Midwest, a young Michael Lynch discovered sports cars. In an article for VeloceToday, he wrote, “Before my high school years, I had some experiences that changed my perspective. I saw a Jaguar XK-120 on the street in Cleveland and was blown away. I had my first ride in an MG TD and immediately understood the burgeoning sports car craze, and my father took me to an SCCA race at Lockbourne Air Force Base in Columbus in 1953. That race, held on a Strategic Air Command airport that had a straight about a mile long, allowed Jim Kimberly and Bill Spear’s Ferrari 340 V-12s to reach maximum rpms, creating a shriek that hooked me for good.” His family moved to Kansas City, Missouri when he was 15, and one of the first things he did was to visit the local foreign car dealerships, then “attend another airport race where Jim Kimberly won in his 375 MM Ferrari.”
Wrote Lynch, “23 January 1953. A group of cars from Kansas City stops in Hiawatha KS on a rally to Camp Rulo NB. The courthouse was unlocked and the drivers were given keys to the city. Note the cobra-headed monsters called parking meters are already extracting their toll. The JO on the MG TD’s license plate denotes Johnson County KS.” Credit: MTL Archive
Still in love with sports cars, Michael moved to California in 1968, just in time to write about the rapidly growing vintage and classic car movement. He became a good friend of Steven Earle, then head of the Monterey Historics at Laguna Seca, and gathered material for a forthcoming book on sports car racing.
Meeting everyone who was involved in racing, Michael asked William Edgar and Ron Parravano to co-author a book with him focusing on sports car racing in the 1950s. The result was the classic American Sports Car Racing in the 1950s, and was published by MBI in 1998. But far from being a compendium of race results and technical information about the cars, Lynch and his co-authors wrote about the drivers, the entrants, the hangers-on, the wheelers and the dealers. It captured the mood and the excitement of the times as none had done before, or since.
In the past few years Michael was busy writing a book about Ferrari legend Luigi Chinetti, but still found the time to contribute to VeloceToday. The Chinetti book was to be a masterpiece, and tell all the tales few ever dared write about in the past. “It’s about people, not the cars,” he said. This was not surprising; people had always interested him more than the cars or races.
A few years ago, Lynch moved back to Kansas City. But he was now a Californian at heart; he liked Kansas City, but didn’t like the change of seasons, for it reminded him of yet another year gone. And Lynch had a lot left to do before he saw his last summer. California was a seamless, endless summer, the way he would have preferred his life to be, and he moved back to California with his wife Vicki just last year.
Michael Lynch and his writing, his humor, and his knowledge will be missed greatly. Our condolences to his family, his wife Vicki and their daughter Alexis.
Rest in Peace, Michael.
There are hundreds of Michael Lynch stories waiting to be told by our readers and friends of Lynch. Please send your stories, remembrances, and condolences to be shared in the comments section below.
Here are a few of our favorite Lynch articles. To see more, type in Michael Lynch into the search box at the top of the right column on the VT homepage (search this website).
To read more about Michael T. Lynch, click here for a bio taken from Wiki:
‘Lynchie’ was masterful. He always had an off-the-wall thought about any topic one might be discussing or project he might be writing about. My favorite story ‘took place’ at Half Moon Bay during the (second?) Legend of the Motorcycle Concours. Adolfo Orsi and I were co-judging the Italian class. At that event it mattered, somehow, that each entrant could start their bike. Lynch’s childhood friend Bob Peters was struggling with his Ducati single; we judges could not touch any bike being judged; out of the sea mist comes Lynch – I could read in Peters’ face that this would be a fiasco – looking to take command and low and behold he jumps on said Ducati and it runs. No one was more shocked than Lynch himself! Regrettably the Ducati didn’t win the class.
I miss him already.
What’s happening? Michael Lynch, Peter Giddings, Jess Pourret (Ferrari historian), Bob Tronolone (photographer) and Pete Biro (photographer) all gone in a short period of time! That’s a lot of skill and talent gone but luckily they will all live on because of their work.
Michael certainly left his legacy with his great book, “American Sports Car Racing in the 1950s” (1998), and his contributions to the body of motor racing history will be appreciated by many in the future. Thank you Michael for setting the standard for those of us who record motor racing history in words and photos.
Goodbye my friend.
I had the great pleasure of working with Michael over the years, and cherished every moment together, whether by phone or in person. We have lost a true Historian, a gate keeper of so much history related to our beloved interest in motorcars and bikes. Because of Michael, I have learned things that I will never forget, but I will also never forget his soft-spoken kindness towards others, and the great example he set of how to be a true gentleman. RIP Michael, and our heartfelt and sincere condolences to Vicki and Alexis.
M.T. Lynch slept here
Michael and Vicky were special house guests at my Santa Monica home. He sent me a thank you note that made me smile. I recall so clearly, the words.
“Alan, your seaside villa with the smell of the tide and whish of the waves…Thank you for a comfy stay watching the sun set over Santa Monica’s purple mountains seen through beveled edge glass and old palms.
Michael had a way with friends and words. He counseled me on cancer and knew more than my oncologist. A most valued, deeply appreciated experience every time we got together to laugh, scratch and paw the ground of the folks in vintage machines.
I remember visiting him once in SoCal, before he moved to Monterey, and I am glad he had a few years there , where he could be involved in his passion for old cars a good part of the year. He told me he wanted to do other books but was prevented by the high cost of pictures. Other authors might have skimped on pictures to get the book out but he knew the right pictures were the heart and soul of a history book. I enjoyed going to Ferrarichat.com and seeing his correction letters when he discovered some flaw in a story; he knew there were some rapscallions in the old car world and I knew when Lynch commented he was going to correct someone trying to pull the wool over our eyes….
He was the living picture of the pursuit … he understood the passion, tolerated the crazy numbers, and brought a sense of calm to the business … He actually liked people (like me) who really didn’t know much about cars (at least the ones that he hung around and wrote about) and he had that smile of someone who was honestly doing what he honestly needed to do. Understanding was his trademark for me. Thank You Michael.
Michael was an outstanding & generous motorsport historian. When we had vexing questions regarding Briggs Cunningham or his cars, Michael was always willing to join the discussion & research. When we researched the demise of Cunningham C-2R #5104, he participated with a distinguished email group that included Jim Sitz, et al while we tested various theories. Eventually, the final answers were located at the Revs Institute library. The story can be read on http://www.briggscunningham.com
Rest in Peace, Michael Lynch
Michael was a true scholar and ever so passionate for the automotive world. His devotion and wit will be missed. We spoke at one point of how much history is lost from one generation to the next and I am sad to say we have lost so much now. Michael was one of a kind and irreplaceable. I will miss our talks and seeing his smile at events. Prayers for Vicki and Alexis. Until we meet again old friend…
Michael’s passing has been a shock and a tremendous loss to the motorsports community. I first met Michael as we were both competing in the year long Vintage Motorsports World Trivia Championship during 1993. We finished on the podium… separated by only 3 points. Thereafter, we traded lots of questions and answers about numerous motorsports projects that we both authored over the next 25 years. Michael’s keen insight toward historic motorsports and his friendship will be surely be missed. Race In Peace, Michael T… Vroom, Vrooom.
Sorry to hear this. One of my favourite books is “American sportscar racing in the 1950’s”. A fine introduction to me about the best era of racing.
I never knew when I’d run into mike, but whenever I did, our way too brief conversations were always the highlight of that day. what a great loss to the motoring world and the potential education of our youngsters that that world is fundamentally a type of sport, not just a business
My friend left Kansas City I was sad. Now he has left us all.
Cooper
Pete, thank you for this lovely tribute, and all of you whom have commented. When we started dating, Michael was still in the financial services and early in his writing career. He would ask me to proof read his articles, and of course I gladly complied. I didn’t know anything about the subject matter but my immediate thought was, “Holy cow, I think my life is about to change.” 28 years later, I am proof reading the book previously mentioned and let there be no doubt, that book will be published.
All of the comments through this and other media, makes it possible to get up in the morning. We have all gained so much from Michael in our lives.
I never met Michael Lynch but we exchanged mails for years.
The comments above reflect greatly on Michael’s reach in an niche of motorsports I had no clue about until we met. His wit and intelligence always astounded me. I am grateful for the time I knew him and the love he gave my sister. My sister’s life (and many others) was enriched by the man Michael was. May God look upon his soul with grace and give him eternal rest and my your light shine upon him forever.
Larry
This from longtime friend Jim Sitz…
Michael and I shared more then just motor racing and its history. Both us grew up as youths in 1950s, and enjoyed swapping stories of those days, and being avid fans of jazz music—he was Mad about Monk !
Most recently, he sent me a nice tale of his summer in 1953, describing a late afternoon cruise in new Healey in his home town and of the light gleaming thru the trees on the boulevard, so poetic, a nice reminder of my own summer experience in my friends new Jaguar 120, in sunny California.
Our running joke was of us at Sebring 1956, both of us 17 and having the time of our lives. His father had driven him down to Florida, but I told him I had to get down there on my own, and how lucky he was. 40 years later we could compare notes on that.
I truly enjoyed being with him—one Funny Cat!!!
Jim Sitz
I met Lynch in ’52 when we were teenagers through a mutual friend who brought Mike by to see my ’32 Ford rod. Cars and music and the girls of the day kept us together. This was back when our friends all had TDs and liked each other.
We went to the first Road America and many of the SCCA races in the Midwest (Fairfax, Wenzville, Louisville, Coffeyville, SmartField, Rolla, Independence, Ponca City, et.al.).
Through the years we remained close.
When Mike called about the Monaco Historics in ’97, I said of course and met Mike & Vicki in Nice. Mike went ahead of us with his many credentials and we stayed behind. Then Mike was swept up by the Prince and his party. Vicki and I noticed the Stars and Stripes Bar on the road in the pits. The backdoor to the bar took us to the Lotus mechanics and so to the pits. Lynch and the entourage found us admiring the Lotus cars. His double take was worth it. “How’d you get in here?”
Together we got in to a lifetime.
You are missed, Bob
Good writers have always been my heroes. Henry Manney was one for me. I was fortunate to have first met him in the pit lane at a ,70’s Monterey Historics weekend. We enjoyed discussing our shared love of the Ballet as much as the cars, but it was his writing that grabbed me. Whenever I saw Michael T. Lynch’s name on a publication, print or online, I always read it first. He wove the technical details with original observations that delighted.
Michael strolled into our place on Russian Hill one August in shorts with a full beard, an enthusiast and an instant friendship. He was also a great cook; frequently we talked about things like the finer points of Oslo Buco as much as racing.
Heartbroken at Vicki’s and our loss. He had so much more to say.
I’m so glad I found this thread. Thank you Peter. My sincere condolences go out to Vicki and Alexis.
Michael was a true gentleman and true historian. I’m so pleased to have met Michael enough years ago to reap some of his rewards. We had the chance to have him contribute to a number of works related to our collection. Michael wrote detailed and factual historical perspectives, that are simply first rate, and now part of his broad legacy.
Godspeed Michael…
I first met Michael about three years ago when I (foolishly) decided that I must write a book about Luigi Chinetti. Michael made contact and, because I visit Kansas City frequently for the Ford and GM plants, I was able to meet him.
He invited me for dinner at his house. I met Vicki. Michael was “at home” in the kitchen. It was a great experience. Michael was a font of knowledge about his, and my, passion, motor racing history.
Subsequently I enjoyed more visits with Michael in Kansas City but I lost his email and I have not been in communication since he and Vicki moved back to California.
I will miss the chats with Michael. We roamed over many topics. I was a mechanic in F1 in the 1970’s, and I continued to be a mechanic for Formula Atlantic and a little time in CART. We shared experiences. It was fun.
Graham Scott