• Hey Guest!
    British Car Forum has been supporting enthusiasts for over 25 years by providing a great place to share our love for British cars. You can support our efforts by upgrading your membership for less than the dues of most car clubs. There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Upgraded members don't see this banner, nor will you see the Google ads that appear on the site.)
Tips
Tips

I miss Tony

Share this page

DrEntropy said:
I fear they'd need to call out th' National Guard...
Click to expand...

More like the EPA - I see a trail of oil drips miles and miles long
:jester:
 
I don't post much, but when I do Tony was there with an answer. Several years ago I purchased a set of seats from him. He shorted himself by not adding shipping. I offered to pay it and he wouldn't hear of it. He said that's what he quoted, that's what he charged.
He was a good man, and a true preservationist of our LBC's. I too miss him.
 
Knowledgable, helpful, funny, never met face to face, but a great asset to the forum, but of course our loss pales compared to that of his family.....
 
His website(the Autoist) is what first influenced me to get a MGB. I never met him but had the pleasure to speak with him on this forum.My condolences to his family. He will be missed by many.
 
The man truely made a differnce in a lot of peoples' lives. We are honored to have known him. God Bless him and his family.

Bruce
 
Somewhere along the line, we got the idea we wanted a little Bitish sports car, and we got it, and somehwere along the line, we needed help, opinions, guidence, so we ended coming to this car forum, some of us joined national and/or local car clubs. We got alot more than just a sport car, we got a community of folks that shared in the same interest, we made new friends, even new best friends. Tony Barnhill was what this hobby is all about, that he loved it so much, he wanted others to have the same joy, and loved helping them in the hobby, and that my friends is what this hobby is all about.
 
Well said, Hap. This hobby is really only partially about the cars--it's also about the folks you meet.
 
Hap Waldrop said:
S so we ended coming to this car forum, some of us joined national and/or local car clubs. We got alot more than just a sport car, we got a community of folks that shared in the same interest, we made new friends, even new best friends.
Click to expand...

Very well said Hap, what I find fascinating about all this is that while I did talk to Tony once, and would certainly consider him a friend, at the same time I had never met him face to face. It points to the reality of the world we live in - and the Internet - that we all know each other, and enjoy each others company and have much in common but have never actually met face to face. My experience of grief in this scenario is no less real but odd at the same time. It's certainly a first experience for me - not grief but internet grief if I can express it that way.
 
JP,
Very well said. I wasn't sure what or how to say it but you have a great summary. Death is a fact of life and something we'll all face. The best we can do is support each other during our time together.
Tony has set the bar very high and left us all something to shoot for.
God bless his family.
 
drooartz said:
Well said, Hap. This hobby is really only partially about the cars--it's also about the folks you meet.
Click to expand...

The cars are merely the catalyst that creates friendships.
 
..and here we sit...
 
Thank You Tony. Rest in peace.
 
I'm sitting here numb... can't think of a thing to write, but I have a million feelings running around inside. Thanks Hap for putting it into words. I may not have met many of you but I count some of my very best friends in all the world from these forums.

I bought my 1977 MGB from Tony. I will not forget his guidance and help as I worked to convert it to a V8. That car is on the road now and I love to drive it. And now it has a special meaning for me. It will remind me of Tony every time I get behind the wheel.
Godspeed Tony.
 
I like a lot of you never met Tony, but he was a someone that I, we all could count on whenever we had a question about our MGs or needed a part or two. He was very helpful to me and I'm sad that he will never get to see the final outcome of all of his help and guidance with my MG rebuild.

It's very rare in the world today to meet someone who is passionate about something and is willing and able to pass along that passion to others. I never got the pleasure to meet you Tony, but I feel I know you. You are a true gentleman and friend. I will miss your words of wisdom.

Until we meet again.
 
I can't even bear to look at the cars now. The reality and finality of the entire situation keeps hitting me every few seconds.
 
I keep looking at "Who's Online" trying to comprehend that I'll never see his name there again! I owe a huge debt to Tony for taking on the task of moderator here! With everything else he had going on, it was a lot to ask - but he did it and he did it well! I am certain that BCF would not be anywhere near the forum it has become if Tony had not been a part of it all these years! Man, I'm going to miss him! It's going to take a long long time for this one to heal.
 
Too true. Senseless. Still tryin' to square myself with it.
 
Had to go to the store for some bread and milk today. When I got into the spitifre I just sat there for a few minutes while the car was warming up a little (-5*F). As I was sitting there I began noticeing various pieces and parts that I had gotten from him. It was a very sad drive to the store and back.
I was gonna contact him next month and see if he had a set of midget seats that were in decent shape. It'll never happen now.
 
I got my "The Autoist" ballcap off the rack in my closet this week and have hung it on my big toolbox in the garage. It will stay there for a long time as a rememberance of Tony and the help he extended to me on my projects.
Charlie
 
Back
Top