Between the years of 1959 and 1961, Carlo Abarth was interested in producing a range of grand tourers that were elegant and sedate, but retained the high performance that Abarth customers had come to know. Three models were born, one of them being the Abarth 2200 Coupé, bodied by fellow Turin-based company Allemano. More expensive than an Aston Martin, and well over twice as expensive as an E-Type, these coupés were the height of elegance and performance.

The car on offer here, chassis 038118, was built to special order by Abarth for Tony Crook, Abarth’s UK importer, alongside a matching cabriolet. A plate in the engine compartment proudly proclaims its special one-off status. First displayed to the British public on the Tony Crook Motors Stand at the London Motor Show at Earls Court, the car unfortunately proved too expensive for the British public.

Eventually, Tony Crook sold the coupé to William Victor Rowe of Rye, East Sussex. First registered on 7 September 1961, it remained with him until it was purchased by Chris Knapman of Collectors Car Books in 1990. Always planning to restore the car ‘one day’, tough financial times forced him to put the car up for sale as a restoration project. Bought by Scheldt & Pettet who restored the car to its original glory, the Allemano coupé reappeared at several GRRC Members events.

Eventually Tony Crook moved the coupé out of his showroom, and it was not until the late 1970s that Chris Knapman of Collectors Car Books bought it. Always planning to restore the car ‘one day’, tough financial times forced him to put the car up for sale as a restoration project. Bought by two gentlemen who did restore the car to its original glory, the Allemano coupé reappeared at several GRRC Members events.

Sold to its current owner in spring of 2004, chassis 038118 is without a doubt a ‘one-off’ right-hand-drive Abarth 2200 Coupé. Complete with the original Abarth-tuned engine and Allemano bodywork unique to Tony Crook’s order and specification, alongside the original registration number 4VPJ and a Tony Crook Motors suppliers plate, this Abarth represents a fantastic opportunity for its new owner.

Furthermore, it is important to note that the car is supplied with a photographic file of the restoration work carried out, seven old MOT certificates, an original sales pamphlet, copy of the old log book and various copies of magazine articles covering the 1960 British Motor Show.