Rowland DRURY ( DRU ).....R.I.P.

Wazza · #1 (**permalink**) 03-14-2011, 01:59 AM

Dear Friends,

I wasn't sure about posting this, but Dru was one of the original Cobra Car Club of Qld. members...and I'm sure that he has "Cobra mates" in the other States...

It is with great sadness,

that I must let you know of the passing of one of our original club members,

and a great friend to many of us...

Rowland “DRU” DRURY.

Dru and Dell.

He was 61 years old, and had been diagnosed some months ago with a diseased liver,

which failed him suddenly last Friday morning.

On behalf of the Cobra Car Club of Queensland,

I pass on to his lovely wife Dell, our deepest sympathies.

Warren BOYLAN,
Club Pres.
CCCQ

Funeral details as advised today:
Friday 10-00 a.m.

Allambe Memorial Park,

Nerang Broadbeach road,

Nerang.

( If coming from Brisbane , take Exit 71 on Motorway , then second on the right)

The Web Page attached might help with location details

http://www.allambe.com.au/driver.asp?page=/home

OZCOBRA · #2 (**permalink**) 03-14-2011, 02:40 AM

One of the REALLY NICE GUYS!!!.... Will be missed by many!!

Thanks Wazza

Mrs flatchat · #3 (**permalink**) 03-14-2011, 06:46 AM

A generous man towards the Cobra mob in the early days....
In the old days when we drove Cobras to the nats at West Wyalong he complained that he'd never smoked so many cigarettes as the time he sat "shot gun" in Russ Cliffords new car -- he'd light up - Russ would floor it and Drew would take one supercharged draw all the way to the butt, flick that over his shoulder and repeat --a 10 hour trip............
Another instance was when completing a detailed authentic looking Cobra, as he strived for --he obliged some visitors, who called in to inspect progress with a first start up -- hit the ignition, the engine promptly burst into life and began its journey through the brick wall in the back of the garage.......

R.I.P mate

Wazza · #4 (**permalink**) 03-14-2011, 06:56 AM

Another instance was when completing a detailed authentic looking Cobra, as he strived for --he obliged some visitors, who called in to inspect progress with a first start up -- hit the ignition, the engine promptly burst into life and began its journey through the brick wall in the back of the garage.......

For this effort he was awarded the "Dipstick of the Year" award...

a very well made trophy,( By Don Pilling I think ?).... polished timber backing complete with engraved plaque, and chrome dip stick .

He later passed this on to me for doing the same silly thing a few years later...

My favourite trophy.

A good bloke...he'll be missed by many.

750hp · #5 (**permalink**) 03-14-2011, 08:10 AM

Too young...
Dru and Frank Ashman are the two guys that got me into the Cobra scene back in the late 90s.
Nice bloke. Such a bloody shame...

byroncobra · #6 (**permalink**) 03-16-2011, 12:43 AM

Sad news....one of Dru's engines lives on in my car.....

I met him a couple of years back when i heard that a reconditioned 302 was for sale through Warwick......he'd abandoned a Cobra build for his Daytona.....i got the engine and box and the car went to another guy.

The thing that sticks in my mind during our brief meeting to pay for the engine was that when i handed over the cash and suggested that he check it he just pocketed it and said, " nah, Cobra guys are honest, enjoy your build"

.....nice bloke

Merv and Sharon · #7 (**permalink**) 03-16-2011, 01:24 AM

And we also lost Noel Williamson here on the Sunshine Coast in early February. He was a very keen And respected Cobra owner also.

ACO05 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-16-2011, 05:30 PM

For a short time I owned a car built by Rowland Drury. I remembering calling DRB Factory to locate his contact details and we discussed the cobra before I purchased it. Shared a number of phone calls and emails with Dru as I transformed his old cobra that was a little on the tired side at the time.
The cobra came with several trophies Dru had won over the years with this car and we laughed that none of the trophies were ever for first place.
Absolutely lovely man, always had time for a chat and a laugh.
Certain he will be missed by those that knew him.

David Hodgson · #9 (**permalink**) 03-22-2011, 03:21 PM

Sad to hear about Dru's passing, and offer condolances to Dell and the family.

I remember Dru's DRB in WWW '95, he had gone to a lot of effort adding the rear wheel arch lip and other mod's to correctly replicte a period cobra, which no-one else was doing at the time. We were also up for the '97 Indy festival and visited his shed in to see his immaculate Robnell build get it's final touches. One of lifes mr nice guy's.

BMK · #10 (**permalink**) 03-27-2011, 03:11 PM

Again so sorry to see him go. Yes I remember him from the first Nats. Your Posts above prompts my memories of him. A fun guy. My thoughts with you all in Qld.

macloft · #11 (**permalink**) 03-27-2011, 03:54 PM

RIP Dru
Bruce