Peter Wherrett passes away

[Team Green]

Motoring journalist Peter Wherrett dies
AAP, March 24, 2009

Pioneering motoring journalist and television personality Peter Wherrett has died after battling cancer for the past year.

Wherrett, who co-wrote and presented the popular motoring program Torque in the 1970s died on Monday aged 72.

His second wife Lesley Brydon told AAP that Wherrett was a natural in front of the camera and adored cars and working on the program.

"It was his lifeblood," she said.

"So when the ABC ran out of funding for these programs it was like tearing his heart out really."

Wherrett's love affair with cars was sparked as a teenager and by the late 1960s he was working teaching advanced driving skills in Sydney.

He eventually bought the business and created controversy at the time with his comments that women were better drivers than men.

But it was with Torque that he became famous and Ms Brydon said it was an enormously exciting time.

"He was a natural television talent, there was no question about that," she said.

"He took to television like a duck to water. He just stood in front of the camera and opened his mouth.

"He never prepared, he never had notes, he just uttered whatever came into his head and it was invariably to the point, concise and entertaining."

Wherrett was married three times and separated from his third wife, Kim Mathers, in 2006.

A private memorial service is expected to be held later this week.

[MISSMPS]

[shakespeare]

That is very sad, I remember watching his show all the time and he probably fuelled my love of cars waaaay back in the 70's

[teedee]