Tony Burke (Volvo Amazon) RIP 1945-2014

[Declan]

Dear All,

Some of you may have known Tony Burke from the concours scene back in the 1980s and 1990s. Tony was a classic car fanatic, dedicating many years to restoring and showing his prized 1966 Volvo Amazon 122s.

Tony was a regular at car shows up and down the country and scooped a number of top awards, his defining moment was winning the World Concours Championship at Olympia in 1990. He was also the Benson and Hedges National and Master Class Champion.

Tony was 69 years young when he lost a 4 month battle with pancreatic cancer, he passed away peacefully with his family on the 8th May.

Any friends of Tonys are welcome to PM me for details of the funeral (16th May) or feel free to make a small donation to Tonys chosen charity. http://www.justgiving.com/tburke

Yours,
Declan (son)

[JPB]

I'd read of the man thanks to the publicity that his beautiful 122S received in the car press at various times across the years but sadly, never got to meet him. That he drove the car to the events was all the more admirable in a world where many top flight contenders' cars were trailer queans that often looked ok but didn't work properly.

Another great character of the old car scene has passed before his time, I'm sorry to read of your loss and thank you for sharing here.

[Martin Evans]

I confess his name hasn't come to my notice before now but it's a sad day all the same. I haven't had to go through what you've gone through, though the prospect fills me with horror. An old friend of my father's succumbed to bowel cancer some years ago and when we went to see him, there was such a sense of hopelessness, where you knew only a miracle would do.

Are you hoping to carry on with the car A late friend of mine had a couple of Amazons, one of which he used to rally and hillclimb. All his cars were brought to his funeral and the classic owning mourners were asked to turn up in classic cars, as was his wish. I've said that when my time comes, I'm going on my final journey in the back of my Traveller, though I hope it's a long way off yet.