Mick WALSH

'The dramatic pace, pungent aroma and glorious sound of his Monza were superbly revealed on local roads'

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The son of a railway engineer, the recently departed Paul Grist combined an acting career with a love of vintage cars before he started a top restoration firm. Across 87 years his varied life included working with Richard Burton and rebuilding some of the greatest Alfas. A modest talent whose heroes ranged from Vittorio Jano to Gareth Edwards, he set new standards for preservation and authenticity.

Great cars - particularly Milan's finest - were designed to be driven, as Paul regularly proved at historic events, and he was never prouder than when his son, Matt, won the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique in the ex-Charlie Martin Alfa Tipo B, trouncing all the ERAs. The famous monoposto was later converted to a two-seater so Paul's wife, Lisa, could join him on rallies.