Geoff Sumpter - No longer with us.

[Martin Southwell]

Just to let you know, that another old buffer from the UK VW scene has died, namely Geoff Sumpter, who died peacefully last night. Thankfully, Monique and I saw him a couple of days ago, and he was pleased to see and talk with us. Life is a little more empty for some of us without him.

I thought it fitting that this was mentioned here on Samba, as he was so well known to many in the old VW scene, including worldwide, and had acquired a great number of friends along the way. His 1st Beetle, an oval, was purchased in the 60's, and was his everyday transport for some time. He had always hoped that this car would surface again, so that he could buy it back, but eventually came to the conclusion that it must have been scrapped, as many Beetles have been over the years.

Coincidentally, a 54 oval was what he had left of his collection when he died. One he had recently finished restoring, and had only been on the road once since, with me following behind in my car, to fend off the modern traffic. See picture below. One of his final requests, was for me to find a new home for the car (very solid, LHD), which I will do once the dust has settled. The car can also be seen in the second picture, along the oval I bought last year, and mostly restored at his beautiful large house in the Cotswolds.

It was thanks to Geoff that I got into Kubels as well, as he restored a few over the years, plus a schwimmer. The Kubel I have now, sat in my garage for a couple of years after purchase, and Geoff rang me one day, to say that he was going to bring his trailer to my place, collect it, and take back to his large garage, to start restoration, so that I could finish off in time for the next Bad Camberg meet, which we did. Without him, it would still be sitting in the garage unfinished. Discussing things with him a couple of days ago, Bad Camberg was his favourite German meet (and mine) it seems.

One thing I learnt from Geoff, was that the hobby was for sharing. Whatever he owned, he would always say that I should take it for a spin, or that I could borrow it for the weekend. In return, I reciprocated, and even lent him my 1st Kubel to take to a meet in Germany. This resulted in many people not knowing who owned what! In reality, ownership was neither here, nor there. I'll miss him....

[sinclair]

Sad news indeed. I think my first introduction was late 90's when I spotted his very individual Devon split screen camper at a military vehicle meeting. Move on a decade and he bought my 52 army bug project to put it back on the road. Years later he agreed to let me have it back. Always a pleasure to meet and chat. Such a shame.
Here's what we always called "our car" in Geoffs yard.

[lost64]

This is sad news indeed Martin. Despite being quite involved in the Historic VW Club,I never really knew Geoff, more 'knew' of him through his wonderful collection of old VW's, although we did share a joke at a Stanford Hall meeting in the 1990's when he brought his Schwimmwagen along.
Ken Cservenka once told me that Geoff had bought a 1950? split Beetle bodyshell that had been lying in Ken's garden for years, and I've often wondered where that might have gone.
A sad day indeed, thanks for sharing the news. To those of you who knew him better than I, I pass my sincere condolences.

[Martin Southwell]

Hi Gavin - Yes, sad, and one of the few folk lost over the last year or two, as we all age. Cancer nearly got me also earlier this year, but thankfully I seem to be OK now (fingers crossed!). I remember the car Ken was talking about, but Geoff didn't have it long for whatever reason. I think it came with a 49 chassis, which was sold seperately, again I never really knew why, as I would have bought it from him had I known, as it had the short front shockers, and he sold it, and the body shell for not a lot.

One thing that Geoff was good at, and did many times, was to acquire a beat up vehicle, or a pile of parts, and get it back on the road. I've been with him a few times over the years, to pick up a 'purchase', that frankly I wouldn't have thought possible to restore, or put back together. I recall a notable example, a 41 Kubel that we collected in pieces from Essex, now someones pride and joy, which was super bad in every respect. I still have the photos somewhere!

Here's a picture of Geoff & Rosemary, taken in the car featured in the picture above, another of those super bad basket cases when he purchased it. Who would have thought a Micky Mouse clock would have fitted in a Split dash?!! Geoff used to enjoy going to car shows, not only for the cars and meeting people, but for the chips and ice creams, consumed as an antithesis to the wholesome home cooking he received at home. If there is a heaven, then I'm sure he'll be found wandering around, looking into grubby boxes, filled with greasy VW parts with one hand, and an ice cream or cone of chips in the other!

[rod_vw]

This was very sad news to hear from Martin a few days ago. Geoff was one of those VW enthusiasts who once met could never be forgotten. He had a depth of knowledge and an enthusiasm for the VW cause second to none along with a willingness to help anyone.

I first knew Geoff when he joined the Historic Volkswagen Club here in the UK back in 1982, he was subsequently allocated the membership number '13'. From that day forwards he referred to himself in club circles as simply 'Number 13'. That was Geoff's way of making a joke of everything that he encountered. Our last meeting was when we sat together in the pedestrianised main street of Rinteln, Germany enjoying an evening meal with other club members on the Sunday evening after the Hessisch Oldendorf evening earlier this year.

RIP Geoff, you will be sadly missed.
_________________
Rod,
Please visit http://www.historicvws.org.uk
https://www.facebook.com/historicvwclub/

1946 Beetle (Back on the road after over 50 years! Last major outing - Hessisch Oldendorf 2022)
2016 T6 Selfbuild Camper and a LWB MAN TGE in build.

[Martin Southwell]

Somebody sent me this picture today, which shows the Sumpter/Southwell inspection team in action (Geoff with hat), at Stanford Hall this year, looking at a recent Finnish import, which from memory was in storage from 1976 until now, and for which I supplied the owner with some Kubel tyres, so as to get it to the show. Yes, it was driven there, thanks to the fitment of a temporary, additional fuel tank, and new fan belt.

For those who wish to attend, Geoff's funeral is at 1pm, on Friday 11th November, at https://cheltenhambereavement.co.uk which can also be viewed on line for those who can't make it there. Please PM me for details, and the access code if required.

[weyax]

Yes...sad news out of UK. My thoughts are with him and his family. Geoff was a friend out of VW-166 Forum. Loving his humour on meetings in Normandy and Camberg. I will remember him!! Salut out of Germany!

Alex from the Mosel

[Martin Southwell]

Thought people might find this Xmas card interesting, and relevant at this time of year, showcasing one aspect of the artistic talents Geoff Sumpter possessed. I'm not sure that anybody in the old VW world had any idea of his creative abilities when it came to painting, carving, model making from scratch, and just about anything creative, but it was a huge ability, and he leaves a large legacy.

This must have been an Xmas card he made for me in the mid 1990's, as it says to Martin & ?, where ? = the time Ange and I had parted company, and I was testing out new replacement models! The face on the front is clearly his own, at a time he sported sideburns.

Seasons Greetings To All....

[sinclair]

That’s great Martin. My first contact was possibly the late 90’s when I stumbled across his beautifully carved Devon camper interior at a military show near Portsmouth I think. I was trying to find a picture but no luck. Certainly a talented artist.

[finster]

indeed a very skilled artist and carver. these are from his webpage (hope it's ok to post)

_________________
"we're here on Earth to fart around" kurt vonnegut

nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect...

[Martin Southwell]

Postings not a problem I know. He was a Graphic Artist in his hey day, and he and his business partner/colleague had the Jaguar contract back in the 80's/90's. I always admired him for his down to earth attitude, with no airs and graces.

A good example being when their accountant, in the early 80's, said that they needed to have new cars each, and so his partner had a top of the range Jaguar (no surprise there then), and Geoff said he would have a new Beetle! Disbelief all round!

He waited 4+ months for it to be shipped from Mexico (Atlantic Blue if a remember correctly), and then converted to right hand drive (Beetles UK), and then had every goodie possible put on it. Even then, it cost a fraction of the money paid out his partner's Jaguar. Was he concerned? No!

[finster]

airs*

sadly he does now have heirs
_________________
"we're here on Earth to fart around" kurt vonnegut

nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect...