Our jury member Frans Vrijaldenhoven passed away

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We are sad to inform you that on November 30, 2015 our distinguished jury member Frans Vrijaldenhoven passed away at the age of 87. From the very beginning of PreWarCar Frans was an enthusiastic reader, always mailing us with answers to our mysteries and quizzes. During those years we got to know him as an amiable man.

From an early age Frans was infected with the automobile virus, no doubt influenced by his father who was a broker in automobiles during the 1930s. After World War II Frans started his career with an internship at truck maker Saurer in Switzerland. Followed by a period in the Service Centre at the British Jaguar factory, under the watchful eye of the famous 'Lofty' England. This led to various positions in the automotive world.

Because of his extensive knowledge and experience, Frans always had an answer to auto-related questions. Apart from many other publications Frans was the author of two books, 'The Automobiles of Prince Bernhard' from 1997 and 'Dutch Royal Motoring' published in 2001 (both books in Dutch). Also he had a broad knowledge about Dutch coachbuilder Pennock.

Frans had an extensive archive on various car marques, which during the past few months he has given away to several people of whom he knew that they had a particular interest in that marque. It is precisely this gesture that is was symbolic of the openness of Frans. We shall miss him!

(The main picture was taken last year and shows Frans with the promotional model of a Chrysler Airflow that he owned since childhood)
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