Creator of Haynes Car Repair Manual Series Dies at 80
Car mechanics lost one of their greatest advocates and teachers earlier this month. John Haynes, who created the Haynes Repair Manual series, died Feb. 8 at the age of 80.
Over the past 53 years, Haynes Manuals have become famous for their combination of easy-to-understand text, step-by-step photos, and exploded diagrams that guide readers of all skill levels through the process of repairing and rebuilding a wide variety of vehicles.
Beginners and professionals alike have benefited from the series, which covers hundreds of vehicle makes and models and has also expanded to provide instructions for computers, photography, household appliances, and more.
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From a young age, Haynes was fascinated by car maintenance, repairs, and racing. As a teen at boarding school, he customized an Austin 7, sold it, and published a booklet showing how he’d done the job.
In 1965, a Royal Air Force colleague asked him for help rebuilding an Austin-Healey “Bugeye” Sprite, but the factory manual wasn’t helpful. Haynes ended up writing a book full of instructions, photos, and diagrams to help other amateur mechanics work on the Sprite. He published this manual in 1966, and it became the first in a series that would eventually sell more than 200 million copies worldwide.
Haynes was also an avid car collector. In 1985, he founded the Haynes International Motor Museum in Sparkford, England, donating his personal collection of 30 vehicles to be displayed. Today, the museum’s collection has grown to more than 400 vehicles.
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News Source: Haynes.com
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