by Mike Gulett –
Jack Koobs de Hartog has died and if you are a fan of Bizzarrini you probably know his name. He was a chronicler of all things Bizzarrini – both the cars and the man.
Jack Koobs De Hartog – photo by Mike Gulett
He wrote books about Bizzarrini and shared his vast knowledge with all if asked. He would answer my emails within a few hours usually within minutes, when I would ask some question about a specific car. Typically he would send me unpublished photos showing the car before it was restored, or after it was crashed, or during the restoration; along with some interesting history of that car and there was usually an interesting history.
I have no doubt that no one else in the world has seen as many Bizzarrini cars in person as Jack.
He wrote a few books on the subject of Bizzarrini (my favorite is “Bizzarrini” where he lists the known history of every car). They are my reference books for when I want to know something that most other people do not know about Bizzarrini. He was also an expert resource for auction companies and car collectors alike on the subject of Bizzarrini.
I met Jack in person in April 2013 in Italy (although we had been in email contact for about 10 years before that) where he arranged a luncheon with Giotto Bizzarrini and several Iso/Bizzarrini club members. It was a great two days with many Bizzarrini lovers and Giotto and Jack that I will never forget.
Giotto Bizzarrini and Jack Koobs de Hartog
Every collector car marque should have a person like Jack who becomes obsessed with the car history and the people history of that car maker and dedicates years of research and travel to uncovering that history.
Jack will be greatly missed by all who knew him, may he rest in peace and my condolences go to his wife and family.
From Jack’s wife;
Jack’s funeral service will be this Friday (22 December) 11.30 at Uitvaartverzorging Bussels, Scholtisplein 22, 3680 Neeroeteren-Maaseik. Anyone who is willing to attend is welcome, and condolences/flowers can be sent to the same address before Thursday evening.
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
Giotto Bizzarrini and Mike Gulett with Jack Koobs de Hartog in the plaid shirt in the back
Oh no! I never met Jack but so enjoyed his writings. Get your Iso or Biz out for a drive today in memory of Jack. Nice write up.
Freddy Zimmer
All my sincere condolences to Jack and his family, for his contribution and love for Bizzarrini cars and his friendship with Giotto and his amazing creations, what a memory of this car for years to come and an historical achievement in amazing cars design and conception.
Coming from a Bizzarrini Iso Grifo 1965 owner, enjoying my Bizzarrini in France from 1966 to 1979
Again, all my condolences to his wife and family.
Freddy Zimmer
Mike and to everyone who is passionate about Bizzarrini, Jack will never really be gone because he will live on in the minds of many who had his same vision. My condolences to his family and friends.
My memories of Jack go back to the late 70s / early 80s. I was a really messed up kid around the time that I met Jack and Marijke. At the age of 16 or so, I had spent time in various foster families and a group home called the Noordhoorn in Apeldoorn. When my mother died in 1974, and our father went on a six-year hiatus from reality, Jack and Marijke took in my sister, whereas the rest of our official family sat on their hands and ostensibly prayed as an excuse for doing nothing. We visited their house many times; Jack and Marijke were very hospitable people living in delightful chaos, there was always something exciting going on. Jack was the first person in my life to tell me that I was intelligent. He played chess with us; he took us to Zandvoort to watch formula one cars, I had great admiration for him. He had this amazing enthusiasm for everything automotive (he even taught me how to wash a car properly and reminded me regularly that he had studied at the IVA). He was a very smart guy himself, incredibly passionate, and overall, a very colorful character. He had many books about art, architecture, and he had ample cool toys; for a 16-year-old kid it was a great pleasure to be around him. He was such a breath of fresh air compared to the typical downtrodden Calvinistic deadbeats that made up most of my family. Jack played a huge role in my early life; because of him I realized that it was not just OK, but cool to be passionate and smart.
At 60 years old, I am a Full Professor at the University of Illinois in the USA, and a Fellow of my professional organization. I have accomplished all these things because one person lit the spark that set me on track of becoming someone, despite the naysayers and the misery I had encountered in my youth.
That guy was Jack Koobs De Hartog.
I will be forever grateful for his encouragement and his being there for me when I needed guidance the most.
Godspeed, Jack!