13 replies to this topic

[Doug Nye]

One always hopes that the news is false, but I have just received a message that Historic car restorer/preparer/racer Tony Merrick passed away this afternoon...  In a huge range of cars he became a very influential member of the Historic Grand Prix Car Association, he worked for Tom Wheatcroft and the embryo Donington Collection, he restored BRM V16s and Mercedes Museum exhibits including a 300SLR Coupe, he and his staff brought Vanwalls back to life, and maintained entire flotillas of Ferraris and Maseratis and Alfas - and more. 

 

Sincere condolences to his nearest and dearest...

 

DCN

[Steve L]

Sad news, a very talented man.

[David Birchall]

Very sorry to hear this--he was indeed, a very talented man who made a real difference in the vintage car world.

[Tom Glowacki]

I have his recently published book and it stands as a compelling record of a sterling career.

[karlcars]

I spoke with Tony only days ago, looking for Ferrari information. He was very short of breath and querulous, clearly not in the best of shape and not liking it one bit --  nothing like our many long and enjoyable chats in the past. It was worrisome.

 

I'm so sorry to learn that he failed to recover. He was a tremendous racer, builder and restorer over decades. He even put my Moretti so right that we completed the 1999 Mille Miglia with no support.

 

Condolences indeed to Tony's nearest and dearest.

[cooper997]

For those of us without his book, Tony was the recent 'Autobiography' subject in August 2020 The Automobile.

 

My condolences to his family and friends.

 

 

Stephen

[karlcars]

Forgot to mention that Tony said that the publication of the book was the best thing that had happened with him lately, gave him a big lift. 

[klemcoll]

I was honored to be friends with Tony and a committed customer for many years. As Doug says he was a superb restorer and an all round great guy to be with. We spoke about 10 days ago and he did not then sound his usually chipper self, having told me with tears in his voice that the end was near. His book which he so kindly sent to me stands in permanent testimony to a wonderful motorsport career. R.I.P. Tony.

[Allan Lupton]

I first noticed Tony at VSCC Oulton Park in 1966 when he drove Sandy Murray's ERA in the very wet Allcomers' Scratch, finishing second to Alan Cottam's Connaught but ahead of the 250F Maseratis of Pat Lindsay and Charles Lucas. The VSCC Bulletin records that Sandy Murray's pit signal read "You mad *******!"
Oh and he made fastest lap.

[ReWind]

From Sabu Advani's review on SpeedReaders:

A few months after this book was published, a post on a motorsports forum caused consternation: Tony Merrick had died! Well, he is 82—but that was a different Merrick.

Does that mean he is still alive?

[Doug Nye]

No - sadly.  'Our' Tony Merrick has indeed succumbed.

 

DCN

[ReWind]

Thanks, Doug.

I wonder what Sabu Advani implies.

[Jack-the-Lad]

I’m very saddened to read this, as I just placed a purchase of his book a few days ago. My sincere condolences to the family.

[cooper997]

I'm pretty certain £100k won't go far towards a continuation.

 

Oct 84 C&SC with Tony Merrick (and Jim Stokes) feature.

 

 

 

Stephen