Des Posted February 4, 2014 Posted February 4, 2014 http://bristolcars.co.uk/Present/News/ The guy was a hero. Junkman and fotorabia 2
HMC Posted February 4, 2014 Posted February 4, 2014 Sorry to hear of his passing. Several lifetimes of stuff crammed into one.
vulgalour Posted February 4, 2014 Posted February 4, 2014 I caught an anecdote earlier today that upon seeing Michael Winner approaching the Bristol cars showroom he very promptly turned the sign on the door to Closed. That's the sort of chap one can really come to appreciate. RedSparrow, Jim Bergerac, Sudsprint and 12 others 15
UmBongo Posted February 4, 2014 Posted February 4, 2014 I caught an anecdote earlier today that upon seeing Michael Winner approaching the Bristol cars showroom he very promptly turned the sign on the door to Closed. That's the sort of chap one can really come to appreciate. Too true. I read an article about Winner once where it was said that he complained in his obnoxious way about the ice cubes in his drink being too large!
Wilko220 Posted February 4, 2014 Posted February 4, 2014 The list of people refused the opportunity to purchase a Bristol over the years marks the man out as someone of impeccable taste, in my view. Banger Kenny and scruff 2
NorfolkNWeigh Posted February 4, 2014 Posted February 4, 2014 I was once looking in the window at the showroom and Tony Crook came to the door and said ' don't stand there making the place look untidy,come in and have a proper look!' It was pretty obvious I wasn't a potential customer and he even said that they weren't suitable for 'young chaps' . After 10 minutes of him showing me round the Beaufighter in the showroom he sent me on my way saying 'Don't forget where we are when you've made your fortune'From anyone else this would have been patronising from him it was like a pep talk from your Grandad, great bloke. The Moog, RedSparrow, Justin Case and 9 others 12
mercrocker Posted February 4, 2014 Posted February 4, 2014 I picked up on this via the Metrocab thread....Genuinely saddened by this man's passing. Like NorfolkNWeigh I had a similar encounter with him in Kensington. Bruv-in-law and myself were rather the worse for wear after a heavy session in town the night before and I wanted to press my nose to the showroom before we went back home. That would have been enough for me but BIL pushed me through the door and said "eee's ALWAYZ on abaht these bloody cars" . Before I could make my excuses I was ensconsed in a customer's 410 while Mr Crook showed me the interior details and told me how much work they did to the Chrysler engines. He didn't even flinch when I kissed the door against the neighbouring Beaufighter, nor did he let me go empty handed when I asked about leaflets. Admittedly they were all Photostats but I still have them! I said I would be back when I won the lottery and he smiled and nodded his head in, well like you say Norfolk, a very grandfatherly way. He COULD have told us to piss off or stood across the doors but I will never forget his old school manners.... richardthestag, NorfolkNWeigh and Banger Kenny 3
Mr_Bo11ox Posted February 4, 2014 Posted February 4, 2014 He seems like such a flipping hero does old Tony Crook. What a star. This is a guy who would travel to Italy to deal with Zagato to do a deal on rebodying a few of his sportscars, seems like another age completely not someone who's died today. scruff 1
RedSparrow Posted February 4, 2014 Posted February 4, 2014 That's sad. Seemed like a top bloke from what I've read.I'd love a 70s Bristol....one day.... This'll do nicely http://bristolcars.co.uk/Present/Sales/1977-Brigand/
Brent_Crude Posted February 4, 2014 Posted February 4, 2014 Sad news indeed. These pioneering, motoring/racing/engineering types who forged their reputations either side of the war are becoming a rare breed. If I could achieve a fraction of what he and his peers did, I'd die happy. Gives Lord March an idea for a Bristol themed segment at Goodwood this year, perhaps Banger Kenny 1
RichardMoss Posted February 5, 2014 Posted February 5, 2014 I read an article about Winner once where it was said that he complained in his obnoxious way about the ice cubes in his drink being too large!It's worth remembering that after the murder of WPC Yvonne Fletcher, Winner set up a charity which erects a memorial in honour of each and every police officer killed in the line of duty - and for that i will forgive for everything else that he is and does. Sad news about Tony Crook - real character. I do wonder, though, if Bristol Cars might still be with us if he had been a bit more flexible in his approach to design and running the company. Junkman, Banger Kenny, saucedoctor and 1 other 4
Mr_Bo11ox Posted February 5, 2014 Posted February 5, 2014 I've always thought Michael winner is/was a total arsehole, specially after hearing him come on the radio to argue in favour of the death penalty. However i did watch an episode of that 'winners dinners' once which made me LOL and soften my views slightly as he clearly didn't mind taking the piss out of himself. Junkman 1
mat_the_cat Posted February 5, 2014 Posted February 5, 2014 I found Michael Winner irritating and annoying, but I'll let him off for this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RS5S2Dio2_Y I've always admired the Bristol ethos, but doubt I'll ever be able to sample one! Interesting to hear the stories about Tony though richardthestag and NorfolkNWeigh 2
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now