NEW YORK – Beverly Rae Kimes, one of the most prolific and noted automotive historians, died at Lennox Hospital May 12, 2008 after a long illness. She was cherished by auto enthusiasts around the world who were captivated by her engaging story telling.
“We are saddened by the passing of Beverly and our condolences go out to her family, friends and colleagues,” said Mike Kunz, manager of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Irvine, CA. “Beverly’s significant contributions will be forever lasting.”
Kimes began writing about automotive history in 1963, after receiving a master’s degree in journalism from Pennsylvania State University. She wrote hundreds of articles and wrote or edited over twenty books in the field, including My Two Lives: Race Driver to Restaurateur with Rene′ Dreyfus, the French racing champion of the thirties.
Born in West Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Raymond L. and Grace D. Parrin Kimes, she grew up in Wheaton, IL. She attended U of I Urbana Illinois. Then on to Penn State at State College Pennsylvania for her Masters in Liberal Arts and subsequently to New York City to pursue her career.
After finding no work in her field of choice, writing for Theater Publications, she took what she referred to, as a job to pay the bills. The job, however, would become her lifelong career. Hired at Automobile Quarterly in 1963, as a secretary. Her first ride in an Old Car was from Times Square to the Worlds Fair in a 1903 Curved Dash Oldsmobile driven by Henry Austin Clark Jr., of Glen Cove, NY. She would remain at A.Q. until 1981.
She brought enormous enthusiasm and skill to her work at A.Q. which helped it grow. She went freelance, and also became the Editor for the Classic Car Club of America, a job she would fulfill for 26 plus years.
She also frequently contributed articles to The Star, the magazine of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America among other publications. In 1986, Kimes was commissioned to author and produce The Star and The Laurel: The centennial history of Daimler, Mercedes and Benz 1886-1986. The book features over 850 photographs and details the technical developments and achievements in the history of the automotive industry made by Daimler, Mercedes and Benz.
As an accomplished writer, her work was recognized by many auto industry peers. She received the McKean Trophy of the Antique Automobile Club of American and was a four-time recipient of the Karl Benz Award given by Society of Automotive Historians for her work in Automobile Quarterly that included the following articles: “The Nash Story,” 1978 (Cugnot article); “Ken Purdy, King of the Road,” 1994; “Austie,” 1999; and “The Story Behind the Marmon 12,” 2004.
Her first Book as a free lance author was The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942, with Henry Austin Clark Jr. The Book has become a must for Automotive Writers as well as Hobbyists through out the World. Her last Book just out is Walter L. Marr, Buick's Amazing Engineer.
Her writings are so massive it would be hard to list them all here. For more about her google her: Beverly Rae Kimes. Her Books and Articles have received more Awards than any other Author in the Automotive Field. She was referred to by Life Magazine as the "nation's foremost automotive scholar" ACD Club, bestow her Woman of The Year Award, CCCA with their Distinguished Service Award, Distinguished Service Citation from the Automotive Hall of Fame, she became the first historian to receive this award, A Lifetime Achievement Award as well as the Best of Books honor from IAM Awards. She served as the Voice of the Burn Concours d'Elegance of the Eastern United States for 17 years. She was also an Honorary Judge at The Pebble Beach Concours. A past President of The Society of Automotive Historians.
She is Survived by Her Husband James H. Cox, a Sister Sharon of Star Lake, WI, a niece Plam Sauer, Mudra, her husband Billy and Grace and Will of Thackerville, OK, Cullen Sauer, wife Michelle and Thomas, of Elburn, IL. Three step kids, James H. Cox Jr, and family Marry Ann, Brittany and Jim Jr of Bushkill, PA, Lori Ann Cox Reeve, and family Tim, Nick, Alexia, and Haily of Hampton, NJ, Cheryl Lynn Cox Redding and family Bill and Lizzy of Baltimore, MD. Beverly Loved New York City and was often involved in programs to make the City a better place, she served as The President of The East 80th St Block Association. She also served as an officer for the U of I Alumni Club of Greater New York.
“Beverly was truly a very loving and caring person, the whole of her life, she touched the hearts and minds of a lot of people, she will be very sadly missed, but she will never be forgotten,” said, Husband Jim.
"Funeral services are private". Memorial contributions may be made to National Kidney Foundation at
www.kidney.org or 1-800-6229010
Related Items:
