Tony Merrick

Just a few of short months ago, we reviewed Tony Merrick’s outstanding book, ‘A Life Restoring & Racing Historic Cars’ (see our September 2020 issue), and this month we must report the death, on 15 December, of this pillar of the early historic motorsport movement. As Tony set out in his book, he was one of the first to be enthusiastic about racing what were at the time out-of-date racing cars. He was one of the pioneers that conserved and restored these cars without knowing they would one day be a valuable part of our industrial heritage and without whom there would be far fewer of them left in the world.

Tony was an early board member of the Historic Grand Prix Cars Association and at various times was the Association’s President and Vice President. A talented mechanic, who brought back to life, and at times even re-created, some of the worlds’ most important racing cars, Tony was also a fine driver himself and a life-long supporter of the sport. His book is a must-read for anyone interested in how the idea of racing old cars took off in such a big way starting from the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. Tony was very much a pivotal part of that story and remained a racer until recent years. We send our sincere condolences to his wife, Yvonne, who was very much involved throughout the journey, and to the rest of his friends and family.