Tributes have been paid to a thrill-seeking racing champion who shaped the history of Walthamstow.

Allen Briggs, of Allen Briggs Motors Ltd in Chingford Mount Road, Chingford, died on May 12 at North Middlesex University Hospital, aged 92.   

The father-of-two and grandfather-of-five opened his showroom in 1956 as an independent dealership selling motorbikes and cars.

In 1962 he became a dealer for Fiat and later Hyundai.

Despite his love of selling cars, Mr Briggs had a greater passion for racing cars, motorbikes and greyhounds.  

The Briggs family had historic ties to Walthamstow Stadium, having moved to Rushcroft Road in 1927 with his mother Elizabeth and father Harry, who was recently quoted in the Racing Post as being the “best racing manager of his day at Walthamstow for many years”.  

At 16, Allen acquired his motorbike licence and entered competitions representing Walthamstow club The Grasshoppers.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

The showroom selling high-end cars and motorcycles in 1960 

His success as a businessman came after he served with the Armed Forces and met with his wife Margaret during the Second World War, when he was a dispatch rider for the Royal Army Ordnance Corps.

He bought into a welding business next door to the current showroom in 1947 and then converted a haberdashery shop into his independent showroom in 1960.

Five years later, he expanded along the same parade, buying a garage next door.

During the same era, stock car racing took Britain by storm and Mr Briggs gave up speedway and competed in the first-ever stock car race in Haringey.  

Between 1954 and 1958 he had won over 100 trophies.  

Son Jonathon Briggs, 47, said: "My dad was instrumental in bringing stock car racing to Walthamstow Stadium.

"He qualified for the 1960, 1966, and 1967 world finals and won the first ever stock car final held at Brands Hatch.

"Everybody I speak to tells me how unique he was. 

"He had an action packed life, worked tremendously hard and was always the life and soul of a party.

"Together my parents had a wonderful marriage and my mother adored him.   

"He thrived on personal interaction and always had a real fighting spirit."

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Husband and wife: Allen and Margaret crossing the finishing line of the veteran car race in a Darracq

From 1973 to 2008, he participated every year in the London to Brighton veteran car run, mostly with Margaret who fed him sandwiches along the route.

He won the 1983 and 1984 Edinburgh Cup two years in a row with greyhound’s Creamery Cross, Yarmouth Derby and worked seven days a week at the car showroom until he was 89.

Long-term friend and former greyhound trainer, Stan Kennett, of Buckhurst Hill, added: "He was a true gentleman-one in a million.

"He worked seven days a week in the showroom in between doing the dogs and never left anything to chance."

Friend Ernie Small, who met Mr Briggs as members of the Grasshopper club during the 1950s, said: "He will be remembered by all who had the pleasure of knowing him."  

The funeral takes place tomorrow (May 21) from 2pm at the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium in Aldersbrook Road, Manor Park.