Tony Oksien – a Personal View
Pete Wiseman, chairman, Mopar Muscle Association.
Like so many others in the Mopar world, I was extremely saddened and shocked at the untimely death of Tony Oksien. I had known Tony for many years, and have long aspired to live up to his values in terms of knowledge, factual accuracy and general decency. As most people are aware, he was instrumental in setting up the Mopar Muscle Association which was designed to “bring Chrysler’s heritage to the masses”. He was the club chairman for many years, and then moved on to become the club’s venerated president. His passion and knowledge of the Chrysler marque was unequalled in the United Kingdom and through his efforts it became a country which, the US aside, was the leading light on Mopar and muscle cars in general. Tony was always engaging and helpful and always had time for people, and he shared his great expertise generously. His drive, together with Tim Holmes, Richard Berry, and Jim Wilson, and supported by his lovely wife Sharon, helped establish the Mopar EuroNationals, which became the cornerstone of events for the year. I can honestly say that for many years our whole family holiday (and to a degree our lives!) was organised around those few precious days at Santa Pod. I am sure that many families did the same. In essence, the people at that event became our extended family, and as ever Tony was at the head of the table. In this world of hyperbole, when everything is “awesome” and “fantastic” and “epic”, superlatives get thrown around all too easily. However, one thing is for sure. The passing of Tony is a seismic event in the historic car world. The impact he had on the car scene and the influence he wielded will never be seen again on such a scale. He was simply unique, and we are all the better for having him in our midst. More than that, he was a very compassionate and charming man who carried responsibility in his public and work life with incredible strength and tenacity. One thing is certainly sure, he succeeded in his quest to bring Chrysler’s heritage to the masses masses.