A Tribute to Don Hayter
from MGB owners around the world
A Tribute to Don Hayter
Don Hayter, who was instrumental in the design of the MGB has passed away at 06.10 am on 9th October 2020.
Don Hayter played a major part in designing the MGB. Don worked for The MG Car Company as their Chief Body Draughtsman from 1956, after a spell at Aston Martin.
After spending some time developing the MGA Twin Cam, he started work on the MGB. Following two prototypes, the EX205 and EX214, the MGB was given the go-ahead. It was then Don’s job to make the car buildable and to finalise the distinctive windscreen and hood, not to mention the dashboard design. Following the success of the MGB, Don worked on other projects such as the SSV-1 safety car, the shell of the MGC GT racer, and in 1973 he was appointed Chief Engineer.
Don was made an honorary Vice-President of the MG Car Club in 2001 for his incredible work that culminated in designing the best-selling MG sports car of all time.
Don was also an ex-officio member of the MGB Register Committee for many years.
The MG Car Club and the MGB Register extend their sincere condolences to Don Hayter’s friends and family and especially to his wife Mary.
28th October 2020 was the funeral of Don Hayter, the man who designed the MGB and continued to develop it during the period it was in production.
Obeying all the rules for social distancing there was a very moving tribute organised by the MGB Register to say goodbye to the man responsible for bringing so many of us together through a shared love of an iconic motor car.
Thank you Don.
Roger Boys
94 very varied years, and today we said goodbye. Many memories to carry forward and to recount to others.
As we all sat in the ceremony today, indeed doing our own “stock take” of our lives so far, we can only ever hope to aspire to reach the heights that you reached in so many ways.
You have left all of us a legacy of your time with us, as well as your beautiful designs that will stay with us for years to come.
A calm man, a considered man, a Gentleman, what more can you really say…..
Love you Dad.
Ian Hayter
I met Don back in 2010 when the Silk Road MGs we’re passing through Abingdon. What a lovely gentleman. We discovered we had two nearly identical B’s from the last runs of the factory. Having been born into an MG family (a K type was my transport as a toddler) my brothers first car was a P type, mine a 1969 midget, my husband has a K type and our collections have grown. My daughter learnt to drive in my MGB and so the marque continues in our life. Meeting the man who designed one of our cars was certainly a real treat.
Regards Kate
Don and Pam at MGLive in 2012, in the muddy tent where we celebrated the 50th anniversary of MGBs. I had a long chat to him, because he loved coming to Sydney and wanted to talk about all his MG Car Club friends here. It was a bit embarrassing because while he talked to me, a line of fans snaked through the tent waiting for a word with him (and glaring daggers at me…). What a lovely gentleman – it was such a privilege to meet him.
Pam Lofthouse
Don and Mary spent many happy times in South Africa and made loads of firm friends. Don was respected and loved for his MG work in a land that Cecil Kimber never saw, that is surely the MaGic of MG! He will be remembered and missed by MG owners the world over. When he was unable to join us in 2012 as the Indaba was over the same week-end as Blenheim, he sent me the picture, plate and his two books which I have used in lieu of our missing MGB.
Octagonally, Norman
MG’s on display out front across both the country and internationally today. A symbol of respect and solidarity as the chief designer of these little cars, Don Hayter, is laid to rest 28th October 2020.
R.I.P Don. Thank you for my B. Thank you for the memories both past and those which have yet to be forged. Your work touched literally millions of lives in a positive way. These little cars bring so many friends and families together. MG is truly the “marque of friendship” and we all owe you a great debt of gratitude for your years of hard work. What an astonishing legacy to leave behind.
A sad day indeed for the MG community. My condolences to his family.
Regards, JC.
Bertie my lovely Damask Red MGB GT in its almost original condition. It’s a tribute to Don that some 47 years after it left the factory that with care and attention it still starts first time and is a joy to drive. My wife,Terri, and I take him out as much as we are able to and are sometimes joined by Bailey our Golden Retriever. The MGB GT is in my view one of the best sports cars ever made with it’s stunning looks, good performance in its day and also today and it’s practicality. There has been nothing like it since that time.
Thank you Don for your work in bringing this wonderful car to the world at large and making it in such a way as to last for over half a century since its inception. God bless you and your family. Bertie 2020 In memory of his founder Don Hayter
Chris and Terri Flemington
RIP Don Hayter
My 77 B at home in Pretoria South Africa. Steve Eden MGCC Northern Centre South Africa
RIP Don
Mark
The joy this Little British Car has brought to my life. Built January 29, 1963. Photographed York, Maine, USA. Ralph Littlefield
RIP Don Hayter
This pull handle took me coast to coast USA back in the day. Mark Williams
RIP Don Hayter
My 1969 B at Wellington MG Nationals 2010 being driven as they should be.
Ross Armstrong
RIP Don Hayter – an amazing global legacy.
Richard Prior
RIP Don Hayter.
David House
Thank you Don Hayter
Mike Schoonover(1)
RIP Don
Russell Greene
RIP Don Hayter – Your legacy lives on.
Brian Webb
My MGBs out front today….. for Don Hayter’s funeral…R.I.P. Don! Newcastle Australia.
Jeff Newey
My 1970 Roadster thanks Don
John Litlley
Respect Don, met you once, total gent! With smiles.
Scott Munton
We will whip Lil’s cover off to give Don a joyous Blaze salute as he makes his final journey. Godspeed and thank you.
Rachael Dyson
For Don Hayter will always be remembered
Gonçalo C. da Silva
My early volcano orange f. Part of the mg family . Without the mgb my mg f would not be here . It’s the mgb that got me into mgs . Much respect and RIP to a great man
Bob Robinson
Sad news. Will treasure this all the more now.
Duncan Rogers
RIP Mr Hayter. Your design of this fabulous car will carry on through the generations to come.
Matthew Pounder
RIP Don Hayter. Your legend will live forever.
Derek Langsford
Thank you Don for giving me something to enjoy when it works and something to do when it doesn’t.
Chris Frost
RIP Don
Ian and Debbie
We are saddened in the loss of Don but rejoice in the legacy he has left behind for all MG lovers. RIP Don.
Quintus Vorster
RIP Don…..
Bill Sales MG Car Club Northern Centre Pretoria, South Africa
RIP Don Hayter
An MG icon and true gentleman! On behalf of the MG Car Club-Northern Centre we thank you for being such a great friend to our Centre and all South African MG enthusiasts. Your contribution in “Maintaining The Breed” in our part of the world will also be treasured! Pepi
Photo taken at the 2000 Indaba of a memorable evening, where we had the the privilege of sharing the room with Don & Mary, Phil & Alma Hill and Andy Green.
Great work Sir!
So much enjoyment to so many people.
RIP Don Hayter…. and thank you
Brian Robson
Thanks Don for all the fun come rain come shine.
Alan Bennett, Cumbria.
RIP
Simon Pedrazzini
RIP Don
K B Westie
I have very fond memories of that most self effacing gentleman. The anecdotes are endless and most of his yarns gently took the mickey out of himself. One of my recollections which showed how well known and respected he was all over the world was when we took part in an MGB Register weekend based in Normandy. The organiser was Colin Lanning well known as a rather eccentric and forthright character. Colin phoned up the Le Mans motoring museum to see if we could visit. How they communicated I have no idea as we had difficulty understanding Colin at the best of times! Colin was making no progress until he spoke the magic phrase “Of course Don Hayter will be part of our group,” Well it was like a magic spell had been cast! Would we like to drive round the circuit? Would we like lunch in the VIP restaurant? Would we like a tour of the museum? It was an incredible day. We did several laps of the circuit in torrential rain had a great lunch listening to Don’s understated stories of his involvement in the MGs in the Le Mans 24 hour. Here is a photo of my B at in the drive today. I’ve had it for the best part of 40 years. I only bought it as I needed a car for 6 months! It has been a privilege to have known Don
Thomas Cole
RIP and thank you, Don Hayter. A true MG Legend.
Rob Paisley
Pampered or well looked after? Sorry couldn’t get her out on the drive cos although it is dry today, we have had loads of rain here in the Fens of Cambridgeshire.
Don was a friend and we will miss him at Silverstone and Overseas.
Brian
RIP Don
Ian Skinner
RIP Don Hayter and thanks for 42 years of fun with my 64 B!
Jörn Müller-Neuhaus
RIP DON
Michael Evans
RIP Don and thank you.
Peter Hurst
RIP Don Hayter. Thank you for the great times you’ve given us, hopefully many more to come! Next generation already showing the love ❤️
Jill and Richard
RIP Don
Dennis Hope
What a great legacy! Thank you Don Hayter. R.I.P.
John Reynolds
Rip Don Hayter
Ray Gibson
RIP Don Hayter.
Thank you for the many years of enjoyment, fun and pain with my various MGBs and hopefully many miles to come with my current beauty!
Clive Huddleston
Gone, but as long as we have MGBs in our club to drive he will never be forgotten
FYLDE MGOC
RIP Don Hayter, God bless.
Clive Dunstan
RIP Don. Your design has captured the hearts of millions. Your memory will live on with every mile MGB’s cover.
Pete McHugh
RIP …Don
Cameron Mcloud
MGCC-Northern Centre , Johannesburg , RSA
RIP Don Hayter…
enjoying our B in a sunny South Africa. It’s supposed to be spring, but the thermometer tells a different story.
Bernard Mostert
RIP ….Don
Lou Bournman , MGCC-Northern Centre Pretoria , South Africa
Thanks and RIP Don.
Steve Peplow
Back from the MGB procession at Dons funeral. I first met Don in 1989 when I bought my MGB it was at an event in Abingdon. Have had many meetings with Don and Mary over the years.
I will miss him, his memory was amazing.
RIP Don
Thank you Don, for all the good times I have had with my MGB’s
Alan Bradley
Thank you Don for all the joyful moments you have brought us all over the years. Job well done so rest easy now. Godspeed.
Rachael Dyson
Thanks Don. RIP.
David Coulthard
RIP Don
Mark Manning
So many miles, so many owners, so much enjoyment.
Thank you and rest in peace Sir.
Peter Dolby
RIP DON
TREVOR LEIGHTON
In memory of Don
Patrick Van Gelder
President of the MGCC Belgium
RIP Don
You left a fantastic legacy.
Tony Linney
Not ever shared any pics of my B GT….just keeps me out of trouble in the garage and puts a smile on my face when driving it, so seems fitting to share on the sad day to remind us what Don achieved!
Roly Culverhouse
Thank you sir. . .
Rick Crosby
Rest in peace, and thank you, Don Hayter.
Jack Long
Long Neck, Delaware, USA
I’ve had my 1974 B for 3 years. Pure joy.
Who would have thought that a car like this would mean so much to so many for 58 years and counting.
It’s 48°F and partly cloudy in Cleveland, Ohio U.S.A. today, but a short ride and parking outside is in order.
Marc Goldfarb Emerald Necklace MG Club Cleveland, Ohio U.S.A.
We offer our deepest sympathy to Don’s family.
He was a great man who designed one of the great cars of our era.
We are very proud to own one of the cars he designed.
RIP Don and thank you.
Peter & Andrea Thomas
RIP Don Hayter. Thank you!
Blake Moffet
RIP Don!!🙏
Vicente Dias
Thank you Don, Rest in Peace
Nigel Stead
Thanks Don. Great father son project.
Wes Sisson
Rip Don So thankful
Yves Boone
My girls (1990 -2020) Thanks for 30 yrs of pure pleasure! 😁 RIP Don
Sophy Davin
Back home from work and shopping. 43 years old and still used every day. Thank you Don Hayter, we are indebted to you for your work.
Dave Barber
Some of the MGB register members had the privilege of escorting Don Hayter on his last journey this morning , RIP.
David Laidlaw
If you have something to add please send a photo and some words to