1951 Cooper Climax MkV 1100cc F2 Race Car

Description

Formed in December 1945, the 500 Club provided aspiring racing drivers in post-war Britain with an affordable means of getting into motor sport and a number of small manufacturers were established catering for the new formula, using off the shelf components combined with motorcycle engines. John and Charles Cooper's first racing car combined parts from a Fiat Topolino and a JAP 500cc engine, debuting at Prescott in July 1946, the first in a long and often highly successful line of production 500cc racing cars. By the early 1950s Formula Three was well established and Cooper's 500 racers were responsible for launching many a famous career, including those of aces Stirling Moss and Peter Collins. Cooper released an updated model each year and was up to the Mark V by 1951, retaining the same basic chassis and suspension design but with new bodywork that was hinged front and rear to aid access, while the driver's position was lowered and given more support. The gearchange was now on the left-hand side of the cockpit and there were new pannier tanks. Two versions of the Mark V were offered, the shorter version (designated Type 15 in Cooper's own numbering system) powered by a 500cc single and Type 16 with a wheelbase extended by 2-inches to accommodate a twin-cylinder engine. The chassis consisted of a box-section frame with tubular cross members, using transverse leaf sprung independent front and rear suspension with telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers and rack and pinion steering. The wheels were cast magnesium 15-inch items with integral Lockheed drum brakes. All up dry weight was around 600 lbs giving excellent power to weight. The vast majority of the Mark Vs were built as 500s and amongst the first owners was one Bernie Ecclestone, while Bill Aston had an impressive looking streamliner made for record breaking. Cooper already enjoyed a strong relationship with Australia by 1951 thanks to the efforts of its Australian agent, John Crouch, and no less than four Type 16 Mark Vs made their way to this country and drivers like Bib Stillwell cut their teeth racing in all manner of events.