1961 Cooper Type 53 Single Seater Tasman

Lot details
Registration No: N/A
Chassis No: F1-5-61
Mot Expiry: N/A

Developed with plenty of 'back room' input from Jack Brabham and Ron Tauranac, the T53 is arguably the car that finalised the rift between Charles Cooper and his star driver. Exchanging the transverse-leaf springs of its T51 predecessor for coils, the newcomer also sported more aerodynamic 'lowline' bodywork and a strengthened gearbox. Quickly establishing itself as the car to beat, the T53 took no fewer than five back-to-back Grand Prix victories during the summer of 1960. Powered by a 2.5 litre four-cylinder Coventry-Climax engine, the design was instrumental in Cooper and Brabham securing their second Constructors' and Drivers' World Championships respectively. A T53 even ventured across 'The Pond' to test at Indianapolis. Despite the 1961 Formula 1 World Championship being open to 1.5 litre cars only, Cooper found a ready market for the T53 among those wishing to contest the Intercontinental Formula and Antipodean Formula Libre series etc (both of which allowed 2.5 Litre and larger engines).

One of the so-called 'production' T53s built for the 1961 season, chassis 'F1-5-61' was supplied to Melbourne-resident Bib Stillwell. Thought to have been campaigned by him during 1962 - the year in which he won the Craven 'A' 100 (Bathurst) and Advertiser's Trophy (Mallala) en route to claiming the CAMS Gold Star Australian Driver's Championship - the Cooper then passed to Bill Patterson (another Gold Star Champion). Though no longer a front runner, it is believed to have participated in the 1964 and 1965 Australian Grand Prix rounds of the newly formed Tasman series. Acquired by Don O'Sullivan, the single-seater's period race career ended in 1966 with a heavy shunt at Lakeside. Stripped of its engine, part of 'F1-5-61' was apparently recycled into O'Sullivan's 'Cooper-Ford' sports racer, while other components were salvaged by Bam Siczillan of Sydney, Australia. Sold to Californian Barry Brown in 1982, these latter remains were incorporated into a restored version of 'F1-5-61' assembled using parts supplied by renowned marque specialist Hoole Racing between 1987 and 1989. According to an accompanying FIA Historic Vehicle Identity Form issued in 2001, the surviving original pieces included "approximately half of the chassis" and "the Cooper factory plate".

Entering the current ownership the same year, the T53 was entered for the Historic Grand Prix Car Association's Dijon meeting in 2002. Driven by John Harper, it duly won the event outright. Reportedly "maintained but not raced since", it is described by the vendor as being in "excellent" condition with regard to its replacement 2.7 litre Coventry-Climax engine, five-speed Coletti gearbox, electrical equipment, chassis, bodywork, paintwork and wheels (while, he rates the interior trim as "good"). Said to "need new racing tyres" but to benefit from "a removable rollover hoop", the reincarnated 'F1-5-61' is offered for sale with the aforementioned FIA Historic Vehicle Identity Form and recent FIA HTP papers.

PLEASE NOTE: This Cooper is suitable to race with, amongst others, the Historic Grand Prix Cars Association. The HGPCA extends race entries on an invitation only basis as and when there is a suitable class at one of its race meetings. It is our understanding that 'F1-5-61' has raced with the HGPCA in the past and remains eligible to do so.

PLEASE NOTE: Contrary to the information in the catalogue, this car does not have current HTP papers. FIA papers suggest that this car has a Colotti gearbox - this is incorrect. The car was fitted with a Cooper five speed gearbox when new, which it still has now.