Dr David Watson Snr - 11.4.1924 to 20.3.2005
David acquired his love of cars from his father at an early age. His father trained in the precursor of auto mechanics, he commenced working at Brodribb’s in 1912 and served in WW1 in the motor transport division on the French front – many of these early connections and friendships remained influential throughout David’s life, including Jack Day and Doug Whiteford. David’s foray into car ownership started early, with him driving his first acquisition, a 1910 Metallurgique, home without tyres or a licence at 16 in the 1930s.
He cut a dashing form while at university studying dentistry driving a Brescia Bugatti, one that he shortened and modified with the help of Jack Day, who donated a Type 39 radiator to streamline the whole affair. A XK120 Jaguar, ex Bib Stillwell, to aid his courting days, followed this. These marques and a number of other including Bentley, Renault and Chrysler had a profound impact on him over his life.
His practice in Toorak Village blossomed over 54 years, and so did his automotive collection, allowing him to exercise his eclectic tastes in all things car related. To bastardise a phrase, his belief was: “there are no bad cars – just some are better than others”. At any one time there were more than a dozen cars in his collection and projects to fill more than three lifetimes. His web of contacts, including patients, enabled him to collect automobilia, badges and parts from all parts of the globe. Family road-trip holidays were often thinly disguised treasure hunts for vehicles or automobilia. His was truly a lifelong automotive passion lived to the full and to the end.
