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Anthony 'TonyP' Przybylowicz, 1950-2021


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#51 Steve Deiters

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Posted 21 December 2021 - 06:05 PM

I crossed paths with Tony P a couple times over the arc of my slot racing experience.

 

The first time in 1970 and I didn't know it. It was the Berwyn, PA, NCC race and the infamous Jerry Brady sabotage story. I was there as a spectator. Tony always said he knew who did it but wouldn't tell anybody. He may have taken it to his grave with him, but I doubt it. He had to have told someone... anyone. LOL. I don't remember who won the race, but I remember that episode.

 

He and a large contingent from the east coast came to the Springfield Coca-Cola race. They didn't do so well, but the 'other' east coast crowd did. Joel Montague and the Purple Gang. Tony P and friends returned to the midwest for more. This time Parma.

 

I think he came a couple times to big Parma national races also in the early 1970s. They were monster East vs. West confabs with the midwesterners doing their best to hold their own and did quite well. 'Pro' style racing at its peak in the middle of the nation's heartland.

 

Fast forward several decades and I'm back in slot racing after a 30+ year absence. I find myself racing a couple Tony P. chassis on loan to me from Gary Adams for the most recent R4. I won one race and finished second in the other I think. I was running in the the bottom third groups of qualifiers so the Tony P chassis and Gary Adams set up made me look fast at that level of competition with peers. The cars ran like they were on rails. Thank you, Tony P... and Gary A.  You made a guy operating in the bottom third of the field look fast.

 

What can you say about Tony P other than his track record of chassis construction and design speaks for itself, He made chassis for decades and never compromised quality. Thanks for being part of all of our lives for so long. You made us 'geeks' better and look fast on the track and in competition and you weren't even there in person. I think people call that a legacy.


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#52 DOCinCanton

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Posted 21 December 2021 - 06:09 PM

TonyP at the big tri-oval in Holly Hill, FL. Tony was always fast on that oval.

 

TonyP stock car victory.jpg


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#53 Clyde Romero

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Posted 21 December 2021 - 07:31 PM

Sorry to hear this news.

 

Tony was one of the originals in this hobby we call slot car racing. His brand of chassis are raced at most tracks throughout the country and probably worldwide.

 

Rest in peace, my slot car brother.

 

You've earned a place in many racers' hearts and your legacy is complete.

 

Clyde Romero


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#54 Maximo

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Posted 21 December 2021 - 07:38 PM

Rest in peace, Tony P.

 

9-17-12-TPThingy.jpg


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#55 Matt Bruce

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Posted 21 December 2021 - 07:41 PM

My family and I will miss you, Tony.

 

We shared the same birthday together. He was great with Ryan, and had a soft spot for Sharon. So much so whenever he sent a frame it was always addressed to her LOL.

 

What a privilege it was to race with him for many years here in New Jersey. He built so many great chassis for us in Retro East. The Aero, the Twistamon, the list is endless. We have some great photos with him, along with some very special cars.

 

I'm heartbroken that we didn't visit him on our trip to Florida in May. Somehow you believe legends live forever and there is always more time, until there isn't.

 

Godspeed, Tony, don't let Jay Kisling hog orange lane up there.


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#56 alainprost22

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Posted 21 December 2021 - 07:59 PM

I'm a better person for knowing Tony.  

 

Fond memories of sitting in the little "office" at Nutley. Tony, Ernie, all the slot nuts of Nutley.  

 

Speed secret... Tony's all-time favorite track... The Nuvolari at Elmsford.


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#57 mgerbetz

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Posted 21 December 2021 - 09:04 PM

Godspeed, TonyP!
 
Never got to meet you face to face but get to enjoy all of the chassis you built for me. You always made me feel a part of this hobby because each build is a masterpiece, like you were building it for the best racer. You even put a new nickname for me on the last three you built.
 
Legend! You will be missed.
 
Mr. G
Evil Buck$ Racer
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#58 bbr

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Posted 21 December 2021 - 09:15 PM

Most badass chassis god of all time...

 

RIP, Tony.


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#59 John Gorski

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Posted 21 December 2021 - 11:26 PM

The old gang.

 

1-nutley.jpg


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#60 Tracking Angle

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Posted 22 December 2021 - 02:25 AM

A real shocker because of his great stature in the slot car world. His encyclopedic knowledge of the technical, historical, and social aspects of slot car racing was extraordinary. A true innovator and master builder, Tony P will be missed.

(That's an excellent picture, John.)


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#61 nicky 65

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Posted 22 December 2021 - 04:59 AM

RIP Tony P....

 

Although I never met him in person  we did speak a few times. Buzzy and Dolores always had nice things to say about Tony. 

 

I'm sure Tony, Buzzy. and Dolores are all talking up a storm in Slot Car Heaven.


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#62 Lovinggood

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Posted 22 December 2021 - 06:42 AM

RIP, Tony P.


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#63 Ron Sullo

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Posted 22 December 2021 - 09:08 AM

Tony P,
 

RIP.

 
I'm one of the thousands of proud owners of chassis he built  nd will keep mine in a safe place to cherish for years ahead.

 

Certainly we all will miss the 'small print' he placed at the bottom of his chassis promotion advertisements... every unit being a work of art with personalized engraving. 

 

No other constructor can compare to his attention to detail. 

 

  


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#64 Cheater

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Posted 22 December 2021 - 09:58 AM

Ron,

 

The 'small print' at the bottom of his chassis ads I considered a testament of respect from a terrific person. I'll miss them, too.


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#65 Larry Labounty

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Posted 22 December 2021 - 10:34 AM

Many great memories from the USRA EAST days to going to BIR to race 1/12 R/C cars. He was always such a great help as I started to race Retro.

 

I can't image the sadness Ernie must feel. They always seem to me more like brothers then the great friends they were. Two guys trying to make living with slot cars to a major company in R/C.

 

My deepest sympathy to Debbie and family.   

 

RIP, Tony!!!

 

Larry


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#66 John Gorski

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Posted 22 December 2021 - 10:35 AM

Shoot-out!

 

2112007shootout (2).jpg


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#67 Peter Horvath

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Posted 22 December 2021 - 10:59 AM

RIP, Tony.


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#68 spudboy

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Posted 22 December 2021 - 12:34 PM

It seems we have all lost a friend, even those among us who never met Tony. 

 

RIP, Tony. Peace and love to your family.

 

My memories of '60s slot car racing have slipped further from my mind's feeble grasp with this news.


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#69 Danny Zona

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Posted 22 December 2021 - 06:09 PM

I'm grateful I was able to become good friends with Tony over the years racing in the GRRR series.

I would pick his brain often about racing theories. Not just slot cars but radio controls cars as well. I learned a lot from those conversations.

I'm going to miss the dark humor memes he would send on Facebook messenger and the jokes at the track.

I have a White Trash Limo chassis I'll surely save.

RIP, Tony P.


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Test, test, test, and go test some more.
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#70 Keith Tanaka

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Posted 22 December 2021 - 07:34 PM

RIP, Tony P.


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#71 olescratch

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Posted 23 December 2021 - 12:31 AM

So sad to hear!

 

RIP, Tony P!


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#72 Jim Difalco

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Posted 23 December 2021 - 07:00 AM

I am going to miss my Trinity teammate. We had great times going to races on the east coast and especially at Joel's place. It was great to see him again after 20 years when I relocated to Florida.

 

He, of course, built my car when I broke the King track lap record at Buzzy's. I was low man on the team totem pole so it was just a straight two-rail wire car and not a new style steel chassis, but it went up the donut on red full punched.

 

RIP, Tony P.


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#73 John Gorski

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Posted 23 December 2021 - 09:43 PM

Team Nutley.

 

@##$TeamNutley.jpg

 

1 GorskiTonyEdsel (2).jpg

 

1 GorskiTonyEdsel.jpg


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#74 MrWeiler

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Posted 23 December 2021 - 10:21 PM

I didn’t know Tony very well but when I was in Nutley he would let me watch him build and learn. With his help I went from a complete hack builder to an OK builder.  

 

I ran into him years later at a TOA and didn’t recognize him after the weight loss. I would talk to him about once a year. Great guy.  

 

RIP.

 

7243AAB6-003C-475D-A625-759E974FE6B6.jpeg


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#75 Ray Lee

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Posted 24 December 2021 - 03:31 PM

RIP, Tony P.
 
I first met Tony and Ernie in Brooklyn at Buzz-A-Rama back in the early '70s. Tony was doing the race result/newsletter, for the USRA east in the '70 (someone has to eat it). I stopped racing for a short time in the '80s. I started racing Retro and when I retired in 2017 and came to Florida for the winters and I started racing Retros and met up with Tony at Fast Eddie's and been racing with him until last March at the Daytona track and that was the last time I raced with him.
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