Sad News regarding TURBODOG - Andrew

It has taken me a while to reply to Nicks sad post.

As a new member to the club, I didn't meet Andrew, but felt as though I knew him, through reading his posts & the helpful advice he gave to myself & other members.

Reading the comments posted here, makes you realise that he was a treasured member of the club & will be missed by all.

My condolences to Nick & his family

Paul

Just looking at some old photos and these few show how Andrew was always the first to help a member in trouble. Simply pushing or under the hod,if he could help he was there.


He loved bring everyone together and seeing us all enjoying our cars.I will never forget the great Wales trip.We happily followed him up and down the mountains.The sun was out ( most of the time) and Andrew brought everyone ice creams,all 20 odd of us.
He is much missed

[The Saint]

Thank you miles for those photos... It shows just how much the club was to him... Maybe, at somepoint we could do a "TurboDog" Wales run, in his memory... Nothing morbid, just a gathering of friends, stopping off some where for a drink/meal, I am sure he would love it and be there in spirit...
Anyone know if/when the funeral was?? Would have been great to have had a drive by?? but I think its too late now to arrange

Yep, truly a sad passing...

He was always there willing to help although sometimes the Paparazzi caught him without his head in a car .

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[BIG_MVS]

I spoke to Nick last night. The funeral is looking like w/c 11th April so I will let you all know when it's confirmed.

When I last spoke to Andrew we talked about a small meet up in North Wales late summer (August/September). We talked about a meet up in Llandudno and then a drive around the Great Orme and also down some of the great roads in the area. Then a bite to eat and a pint. We were thinking to do this on a Sunday which gives people coming from further afield to stay over the night before and make a weekend of it.

I think it would be nice for us to do this especially now so I'll crack on and sort a post in the meetings section.

[The Saint]

Thanks Martin.... I think I should have one of my Alpines on the road by then..... (Fingers crossed for the A610)

Sounds good Martin I think Andrew would love that! Thanks for posting the pictures of the Tour of Wales Miles ...my last one that dam and road were awesome and an experience i'll never forget; I know I was looking forward to the next one so a another would be a fitting tribute.

Sad news, my condolences to the family.
I too enjoyed the Welsh rally and Port Meirion.

It's Nick, Andrew's son.

Wow! My sister Andrea and myself are truly touched at all these lovely messages about our dad.
It's great to see how many people he met and helped with their cars over the many years he's been tinkering with Alpines
If it's ok with everyone, I'd like to print out your messages and share some of them at his funeral.
This will be taking place on Monday 11th April
It would be really great to see many of you, his friends there.

In the coming weeks I hope to be able to post some of the many photographs he has taken over the years of the Alpine meetings he has attended and cars that he has come across on his travels.

I'll leave you with the story on how he got into Alpines in the first place, a chance event that led him on the road to his passion of the last 20 odd years or so....

Dad and I were driving past a second hand car dealership (believe it or not it was called Alpine Motors!) in the early 90's. We saw a rather swish looking pale blue sports car on the forecourt so stopped to take a look.
We knew the owner of the dealership a guy called Derek, as Dad had bought his Volvo estate there a few months before, and dad was also going to ask Derek if he would like to buy his ex-company car, a Rover 214.
Derek suggested dad should take it for a spin even though he wasn't really in the market for another car, but of course dad wouldn't turn down a chance like that.
We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves blasting up and down the A55 for about half an hour and so, but eventually we reluctantly took in back to the garage.
The space to get it back in the drive was tight, very tight....
Derek said he'd take it back in between the other cars and a wall, but I think this piqued dad's ego so he insisted that because he was already in the car he would do it .... You can see where this is going can't you ?
Yup, dad ended up scratching the back wing and so felt obliged to buy it !!

It's funny how fate brought him into the world of the Alpine, and I can say with authority that he enjoyed every single second of it.

So thank you all for making my dad a very happy man and for giving him an interest and something to throw his energy into especially after the loss of my mum and sister in recent years.

Nick

[The Saint]

Nick,
You are more than welcome to print these messages, I am sure no one would object.

For those that maybe thinking about attending the funeral, I will be there to represent the club, unfortunately both my Alpines, won't be on the road, so I cannot be in one , but if anyone would like to attend, I am sure we can have a drink and celebrate Andrews memory. If you could wear a club shirt, it would be appreciated. I know Andrew would prefer something Club related...
Regards
Vince,

Vince,
I'll be there, but I wont be taking the GTA as I have a rear handbrake plate still hanging off.
Unfortunately I don't possess a club shirt - should get one really, as I've been a member for umpteen years.
Rgds,
Paul

[The Saint]

Yes Paul,
I think I will have to speak with Mr Dell and get some made up.. maybe have a few here with me, to post out etc etc???
The one I have is showing its age a little... So could do with a new one myself...
Ok I will keep a look out for you... I will more than likely be in my black Smart roadster...
Well its rear engine, turbo charged and was built in France... plus it's plastic... so not that far from an Alpine...
Main thing is that we are there for TurboDog.

very sad and shocking news, One of the nicest guys you could ever meet and a very passionate fan of Alpines, a great ambassador of the club, he will be missed by all in the RAOC, RIP Turbodog.

I spoke to Nick last night. The funeral is looking like w/c 11th April so I will let you all know when it's confirmed.

When I last spoke to Andrew we talked about a small meet up in North Wales late summer (August/September). We talked about a meet up in Llandudno and then a drive around the Great Orme and also down some of the great roads in the area. Then a bite to eat and a pint. We were thinking to do this on a Sunday which gives people coming from further afield to stay over the night before and make a weekend of it.

I think it would be nice for us to do this especially now so I'll crack on and sort a post in the meetings section.

Yes Martin, a nice tribute. I will make every effort to be there in the Venturi if nobody objects to the non Alpine?

[BIG_MVS]

No objections at all Paul regarding the Venturi. Like I say I'll get a date towards the end of August I think.

Spoke to Nick again today and asked about attire.

He said if you have a club shirt it would be nice to wear that so that's what I'm going in. Well the only one I have looks like it's been ironed over a wok compared to when I first got it so could do with another one if they exist Mr Dell in XXL?