Tributes pour in for motoring legend Julian Lurie

The Durban North resident was the SABC radio reporter for all things motoring since 1964 and more recently the motoring editor of Test Drive on Lotus FM. He leaves his wife Marion, children Rael, Steven, Michelle and six grandchildren.

Also read Radio motoring legend dies

KZN motoring journalists and editors share their memories with us.

Editor at Ingabadi Media Group Lindani Buthelezi:

“Lindani,  we were supposed to change drivers at 120km look now its 125km, which means I will add more distance when it’s my turn, so that we square up.” Lindani : “But Julian,  you’ve been driving for so many years, even before I was born. What is five kilometres…”  This is the Julian I met years back at the Tata launch in Durban. From there our relationship grew stronger and stronger. He was very comfortable behind the steering wheel, like driving through Sir Lowry’s pass at 180km/h and telling you to relax cause… “I was driving before you were born…” He was humorous and kind. He was great company any time of the day. He became a father figure, a mentor, a friend and moreover he was a gentleman. He was extremely good at time management – whenever we were travelling to the airport for a red-eye flight, he would be outside the gate at 4am, even if it was a 6am flight,  “…so that we get to eat breakfast in the lounge…” Julian was a life well lived. Rest in peace.

Former editor and motoring journalist of The Umhlanga Globe Helene Griffiths:

Julian and I met in the late 80s and we attended many motoring events and launches together. As one of the few female motoring journalists I always felt special as he was one of the guys who looked after me – ensuring I was safe and sound at my car at the airport after a launch. At the same time I looked after him too. He was too vain to wear his glasses and when he wanted to use them they were always smudged, so it was my job to ensure his glasses were clean. Julian was a motoring storyteller and one of his many stories I remember was how his and Marion’s honeymoon was interrupted. They were on a boat from Durban to Cape Town but when it stopped at East London he went to watch the races. Jules so much about the Roy Hesketh circuit and I am sorry we never recorded those stories. As a MG lover, I tried for years to get him to part with his 1964 MG Midget Mk2 but he would always laugh and say it is the love of his life.

Freelance motoring writer Colin Windell:

Julian was a true motoring enthusiast and he had a library full of motorsport knowledge in his head that he was always willing to share  with anyone expressing an interest.

He was a gentle person and a pleasure to be around at motorsport events or on car launches.  

Motoring journalist and editor of The Hilton Peta Lee:

Julian was such a gentleman and always a friendly, familiar face at events. He and his wife Marion hosted the KZN Guild of Motoring Journalists’ annual dinners for many years and he was always an excellent host. He was also always so proud of his children. I enjoyed his humour, his knowledge and his professionalism and he will be so sadly missed. So ironic that both he and Malcolm Kinsey (author of the Kinsey Parts Basket Report), who made a really great team together have both left us in such a short space of time. Two old pros who leave big shoes to fill in the KZN Guild.  

Motoring journalist Gavin Foster:

Julian Lurie and I had a marvellous relationship.  He did everything absolutely by the book and I, well, didn’t. We spent many hours at launches debating the ways of MSA which he supported to the death, no matter how controversial some of their decisions appeared. Despite this he was always a gentleman and usually right. He was always friendly and helpful, particularly towards rookies in the Guild. He will be fondly remembered and sadly missed as a friend and colleague.  

Editor of Autodealer Durban, Noreen Perryman:

I co-drove with Julian many a time and we often ended up arguing like an old married couple when we got lost – mostly my fault but when he was to blame, it was still my fault. There were times it felt like my nerves were being tested when we drove together as this old daredevil didn’t hesitate to give it stick behind the wheel. I could always rely on Julian to tell me who was who in the motoring world and no matter which vehicle manufacturer’s launch we attended, Julian always arrived in the appropriately branded shirt. I will miss his interesting motoring stories, his bantering and his friendship. Rest in peace Jules.  

Editor of SA Road Tests Gordon Hall:

During the many hours we spent sharing drives on car launches he would point out the spots he remembered: “This hotel – a lunch stop – was where Marion and I celebrated our 50^th. Over there – passing Betty’s Bay – was where my aunt lived. Here – passing through a quiet backwater – was where a sewing machine customer had his factory. This hairpin – down a mountain pass somewhere in the Cape – is where A and B ran out of road while on a launch and went over the edge. B died. It was horrible. By the time you get to here – a spot at Kyalami or Swartkops Raceway – you should be up to about 180. Brake hard and turn in sharply, put boot just here and clip the apex like this…” Conversation in airports and over meals at dozens of hotels was generally more mundane; Life, the Universe and Everything, the declining value of money – “I only accept notes now, Grampa” – religion, food, the little country somewhere in Europe from whence his forefathers came… Let’s just say it wandered. Julian Lurie was an extremely interesting man; experienced, wise and humorous with a penchant for shaggy dog stories. He was also a loving and devoted husband, father and Grampa; fearless and protective. And one who knew when to accept that money was no longer as valuable as it once had been. He will be missed.

Chairman of the MG Car Club KZN Centre Lawrence Sysum:

Julian was a long-time member of the MG Car Club in KZN.  He owned a red MG Midget which he had for many years and only recently sold with his Morris Minor. Due to his busy motoring commitments we only saw him at our Annual Show-day, our AGM and our Christmas party.

He and Marion always arrived with the roof down and he always had many stories to tell about motoring activity over the years in KZN. He will be sadly missed.