Forty years ago this week, a horrific crash ended motorsport legend Sir Stirling Moss's career - and almost ended his life.

The world held its breath as Moss's car careered out of control at the notorious Fordwater bend at Goodwood's racing circuit on April 23, 1962.

For the next month he lay in a coma in hospital in Chichester and later at Atkinson Morley in Wimbledon. He was paralysed for six months and doctors feared he would never walk again.

Through sheer grit and grim determination he recovered from his injuries to build a new career and life. He was never to recapture the skill that saw him thrill crowds around the globe and notch up 16 Grand Prix victories.

Although he was soon back at the wheel, the skill and verve that had placed him in a league of his own was gone and he never lifted the world title, which many believed was his for the taking.

Instead, he built up a successful business empire trading on the legend of his name.

Yesterday Moss, who was knighted two years ago, was at home in London's Mayfair, the headquarters of Stirling Moss Ltd.

He has always said he can remember nothing of the Goodwood crash and once described it to The Argus as the day he received a "bump on the head".

He said: "I think the last thing I can remember about that day was showing a friend who had polio around Goodwood. I'm sad the accident forced me out of racing because I was enjoying myself. I had to start work again and earn myself a living.

"I went to the Bahamas to recuperate, which included driving as the roads were so quiet - just to see if I could get it all back."

At 73, he is as busy as ever with appearances at events throughout the world. When he visits a grand prix he gets as big cheer as today's giants of the sport.

On Sunday he launched a rally from London to Jerusalem for a group of drivers raising money for a Jewish charity. He travelled with them as far as Le Mans.

Moss says he still believes his was the sport's golden era, even though he was paid peanuts compared to today's money.

He said: "I'm not envious of what the drivers earn today, although I find it unreal. I think I had the best times and was earning probably what a top doctor was earning then but, of course, it was nothing like today's money."

Today he keeps the wolf from the door by a combination of property investments, public relations activities and personal appearances. Rob Widdows, a director of the circuit, says Moss's charisma and all he achieved behind the wheel will always make him a man in demand.

He said: "He is probably still the most famous name in motor racing and without doubt the greatest driver never to win a world championship. He is a huge supporter of Goodwood despite the accident."

Moss drove in more than 500 races, winning 220. He was the first and only British driver to win the gruelling Italian road race the Mille Miglia.

He compared the risks he faced during his career with today's Grand Prix aces by saying: "To race a car through a turn at maximum speed is difficult but to race a car at maximum speed through the same turn when there is a brick wall on one side and a precipice on the other - that's an achievement."