Motorists stuck in a traffic jam on the Trans Canada Highway west of St. John’s, NL on Father’s Day caught a view of a piece of Targa history. A classic sports car that once belonged to late competitor Dr. Geoff Fowlow of Arnold’s Cove was spotted on a flatbed on its way to a new home. Dr. Fowlow passed away Sept. 23, 2025 at the age of 79.
Fowlow competed in that 1957 Jaguar XK140 with his wife Fay Matthews in Targa 2003 and it still bears the decals from that rally. During the rally, his car suffered a water pump failure. Despite the setback and resulting time penalties from missing several stages, he and his team made the necessary repairs and returned to the road later that day to continue the rally.
From his obituary: “His passion for antique cars was evident in his collection of vehicles, and he was always eager to share his knowledge of cars with anyone that showed an interest. Both he and his wife even participated in the international Targa race which was a highlight for them both.”
A dedicated physician, he started practice at Come By Chance Hospital on July 1st, 1972. When the hospital closed in the early 1980s, he opened his own private practice in Arnold’s Cove. He kept this practice open until the day he passed, after 53 years of providing care to his patients.
Targa owner Robert Giannou: “I instructed Dr. Geoff at the Argentia racing school back in the late Sixties. Later in 2003, Geoff ran in Targa with Fay his wife who navigated for him. Fay also organized and ran the Clarenville stage for a couple of years after that. Both great folks. May and I spent a delightful morning with them a couple of years ago. Geoff of course insisted on the full tour of his ‘treasures’. Fascinating collection. He will be missed.”
Read his obituary here: Dr. Geoffrey N. Fowlow – Fewer’s Funeral Home
Rally results 2003: https://share.google/tlHVu72Me9o68fTW3
Car photos: Mark Unsworth