In 1959, the T51 was introduced as a development of the earlier T43 and T45. Built using a spaceframe chassis, the new 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder Coventry Climax engine sat behind the driver, with the transmission mounted at the rear. Suspension remained the same as before, with independent coil springs at the front and a transverse leaf spring for the rear. The T51 carried Jack Brabham to victory at Monaco and Aintree to win the Formula 1 World Championship titles, and in 1960 the updated T53 took the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships again.
This T51 is presented in Works livery and was believed to be a factory team car for many years. Few Cooper Grand Prix cars carried chassis stampings in their frames, being identified by chassis plates instead. Unfortunately, the chassis plate of this example has been lost in time. Recent wisdom now places this as being a non-Works car and further research is required to ascertain its period history. It is believed to be purchased from Jack Brabham by Tom Wheatcroft, who later sold it at auction in 2000 to the previous owner, a well-known British collector.
Subsequently prepared for racing, it competed in the hands of Brian Moore at the 2004 Goodwood Festival of Speed and the 2004 Goodwood Revival. In recent years, this Cooper has been displayed at the British Motor Museum at Gaydon. Currently fitted with a 1960 Tasman-specification 2.7-liter engine, power is delivered through a later Hewland HD5 gearbox. Upon inspection by a marque expert, it was remarked that the chassis very much appears to be an original example, along with the bodywork and numerous other features. It should be noted that due to having been on static display for many years, this Cooper will require recommissioning and preparation prior to use.
(Introductory description courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.)
