Tony Crook

Anthony Peter Roylance "Tony" Crook (16 February 1920 - 16 January 2014) was a British racing driver and automotive entrepreneur who competed in Formula One during the early 1950s. Born in Bowdon, Cheshire, Crook served in the Royal Air Force during World War II before pursuing motor racing in the post-war years. He raced primarily in British domestic championships and made a handful of Formula One starts between 1952 and 1953, competing in the British Grand Prix and other championship events. Crook drove for the Cooper team and also raced various other machinery in non-championship events.

While his Formula One career was brief and without major success, Crook's lasting legacy came through his business association with Bristol Cars. In 1960, he acquired Bristol Cars Limited, the luxury automobile manufacturer, and served as its owner and managing director for over four decades. Under Crook's leadership, Bristol maintained its tradition of producing exclusive, hand-built luxury cars in very limited numbers, preserving the company's unique position in the automotive market. Crook was known for his particular approach to customer relations, personally vetting potential buyers and maintaining complete control over the company's operations.

He continued to race occasionally into the late 1950s, competing in sports car events and historic racing. Crook remained active in Bristol Cars well into his eighties, maintaining the company's eccentric and exclusive character. He sold the company in 1997 but remained involved as a consultant. Tony Crook passed away in January 2014 at the age of 93, remembered both as a racing driver of the sport's formative years and as the custodian of one of Britain's most distinctive automotive marques for over 50 years.