The news of Quentin Willson’s passing has really saddened me this weekend. He was one of the people who sparked my interest in cars when I was growing up. I spent so many hours watching him on Top Gear and later on Fifth Gear. He explained things in a calm, clear way that made you feel like you were learning from someone who genuinely loved good cars and good engineering.
As the years went on and I started working in the motor trade, I had the pleasure of meeting him a couple of times at fleet and industry events. He was exactly as you would hope. Warm, knowledgeable and always ready to talk about where the industry was heading. Those short conversations stayed with me because they reminded me why I fell in love with this world in the first place.
More recently I saw him speaking at EV summits and at the London to Brighton EV Rally here in Brighton. His passion for the shift to electric vehicles was clear. He pushed for progress and cleaner transport, but always with a practical view of what drivers actually need.
Quentin shaped my interest in cars long before I picked up a camera or started writing reviews. To then meet him in person and feel that same enthusiasm first hand was something I’ll always remember.
He leaves a real legacy in broadcasting, consumer advice and the wider EV movement. My thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone in the automotive world who learned from him over the years.
A genuine car person who made a lasting difference.