1956 Cooper T39 Bobtail Sports Racer

Lot details
Registration No: N/A
Chassis No: See Text
Mot Expiry: N/A

Buoyed up by the success of their Formula 3 500cc single-seaters, the father and son duo of Charles and John Cooper set about designing a sports racer around the new Coventry-Climax Feather Weight Automotive (FWA) 1100cc engine. Debuting in 1955, the resultant mid-engined Cooper T39 was to prove hugely influential. The work of Owen Maddock, its chassis comprised four main tubular longerons which tapered ellipsoid-like at either end and were braced by full-width hoops fore and aft of the cockpit area. Tipping the scales at just 65lbs, the structure placed both the driver and drivetrain along its centre line (a layout borrowed from rivals Kieft). Adhering to accepted Cooper practice, the T39 utilised all-round independent suspension (transverse-leaf springs with single lower wishbones and Armstrong telescopic dampers), rack and pinion steering and a Citroen ESRA four-speed close-ratio gearbox.

Clothed with a lightweight aluminium body that embraced the latest aerodynamic principles, the nominal two-seater made the most of the 75bhp @ 6,200rpm on tap from its compact four-cylinder SOHC FWA powerplant. Nicknamed the 'Bob-Tail' or 'Manx-Tail' on account of its concave rear panel which had been truncated in accordance with Professor Kamm's drag reducing theories (though, John Cooper was apparently wont to claim that the 'shortening' was done so that the cars would fit aboard the Works transporter), the T39 also boasted an undertray and streamlined hump (the latter doubling up as both the driver's headrest and engine cover). Opening upwards like opposed clamshells, the front and rear body sections gave easy access to the radiator, fuel tank, header tank and other ancillaries. Priced at £1,350, the Cooper quickly established itself as the only serious opposition to Lotus in the 1100cc and 1500cc classes.

The first Works 'Bob-Tail' made its debut at the 1955 Goodwood Easter Monday meeting. Driven by Ivor Bueb, it beat most of the larger-engined 1500cc opposition but had to settle for third behind the Connaughts of Les Leston and Ken McAlpine. A second Works 'Bob-Tail' was completed for Jim Russell, while the first customer car went to Tommy Sopwith (who later ordered a second which was fitted with a Connaught 1484cc unit). A fine advocate for the T39, Bueb lapped faster than all the 1100cc and 1500cc cars during practice for a May Silverstone meeting. Come the race, he went quicker still and equalled Archie Scott-Brown's fastest lap aboard the 2-litre Lister-Bristol. Even in 1100cc guise, the diminutive Cooper possessed a balance and power to weight ratio that rivals struggled to match.

According to a letter on file from Richard Neale of the Cooper Car Club, this particular example is "believed to have been a Works car, which never had a chassis number. The car went to Peter Gregg at Brumos Porsche in Jacksonville, Florida. I understand he had three of these, two of which were turned into (Porsche-engined) 'Poopers'. This car next went to SCCA racer Al Lochtefeld of Dayton, Ohio, and on to Dean Butler in 1974 (in disassembled condition). The car was finally restored to original configuration a few years ago. The car was driven by Don Butler at Elkhart Lake and Lime Rock in 2000".

Among the three Works 'Bob-Tail' racers that were apparently built for the 1956 season and campaigned by the likes of Sir Jack Brabham, Sir Stirling Moss and Ivor Bueb, the vendor believes this car to be the most original. The subject of another restoration since being repatriated in 2005, the T39 now carries a 1500cc Coventry-Climax engine but is thought to retain its original chassis and bodywork. Finished in British Racing Green with a white noseband, it is described by the present owner as being in "good" condition with regard to its gearbox, electrical equipment, interior trim, chassis, bodywork, paintwork and wheels / tyres (while, he rates the engine as "new"). Potentially eligible for a host of prestigious historic events, this iconic sports racer is offered for sale with the aforementioned Cooper Car Club letter and sundry other documentation.