1960 Cooper T53 Low Line Project
In 1960, Cooper captured the Formula One Championship with the “Low Line” T53, assisted in the 1960 season by drivers like Jack Brabham and Bruce McLaren, finishing in a 1st & 2nd place format on occasion. The T53 set new standards and continued the exceptional Cooper legacy building nicely on its predecessor the T51. Replaced was the T51’s leaf spring suspension; in its place & was a coil spring set up similar to one used on a reconfigured T51 that Stirling Moss drove 1959. Additionally, the ERSA gearbox was swapped to a C5S five speed transaxle built by Jack Knight Engineering, while the 4 cyl Coventry Climax FPF engine was mounted an inch closer to pavement lowering the center of gravity nicely. Lastly, the body was dropped down a notch & the driver’s seat was further reclined, fostering the “Low Line” nomenclature.
This 1960 Cooper Lowline T53 Formula 1 project on offer is a sound example of this historic piece of racing legacy. It embodies an exceptional era of the Cooper Car Company’s domination in Formula car racing of the 1950s & 60s. It is a project offering, not a track ready piece of automotive history. Notably missing are its Coventry Climax FPF engine & transaxle (components are available in rebuildable condition but these are not original numbered components to this car).
This Cooper and all its parts stemmed from the garage of a noted Cooper collector & vintage racer. The owner/driver passed away prior to completion, leaving this almost finished project. The body is in bare aluminum. The nose assembly is an accurate & correct, largely re-fabricated alloy assembly. The rear body sections appear to be restored original pieces. Suspension, steering & brakes are all restored original T53 Cooper components - noting that the car has been stored for several years so brake seals will want renewing, pivot points servicing and the like. Wheels are original Cooper fitted with Dunlop L series race tires that are age hardened & not suited to race conditions. The chassis is restored to a high standard reportedly by noted Cooper expert-restorer, Sidney Hoole. Fuel tanks are restored originals, and the seat is a sound original. Dry sump oil tank, coolant pipes, pedal box, shift linkage brake plumbing are all as original & in place.
It was for reasons of originality we expect that Mr. Hoole did not fit a roll hoop, leaving a clean slate opportunity to recreate a 1960’s icon, entirely your own way. We’d fit a roll hoop it on track is where this piece of automotive sculpture is destined to be, but that decision rests with its next curator. It pays homage to a world leading level of engineering and some exceptional drivers of its era on track, private road or in any collection of great cars.
Included with the sale of this Cooper is a set of second wheels, as well as other smaller spare Cooper items.
