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Wally Willmott


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#51 raceannouncer2003

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Posted 09 January 2009 - 01:24

A coupe of photos from Monaco 1962...is that Wally? Photos by Ted Langton-Adams, copyright Eric Faulks:

Posted Image Posted Image

Hello to Wally. I met Eoin Young and him at Teretonga in 2006.

Vince H.

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#52 Bjorn Kjer

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Posted 09 January 2009 - 05:00

The pictures , the words , and I visited Cooper at Ewell Road and Brabham at ? in 1964 , bring back some memories ! Wonderfull thread ! Thanks to all!

#53 Jerry Entin

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Posted 09 January 2009 - 07:15

tonyin63og1-1.jpg
Tony Maggs testing the new for 1963 Cooper Formula One car.
This was at Silverstone and the car was as yet unpainted.

Tony Maggs best finishes in his Formula One career were at the French Grand Prix of 1962 and 1963 were he finished 2nd both years driving Coopers. He was 3rd in the 1962 Spanish Grand Prix also driving a Cooper.
Tony Maggs passed away June 2, 2009

Vince: Wally is in the picture on the left working on Tony Maggs #16, this was a 4 cylinder car. He and Harry Pearce were on that car. Tony Maggs was credited with 43 laps run. He was a DNF with gearbox trouble, but was the 12th place car on laps completed.

The guy signalling Bruce McLaren is Mike Barney, he was Bruce's F-1 mechanic in 1962.

 

 

photo Wally Willmott collection


Edited by Jerry Entin, 10 April 2020 - 01:00.


#54 cooper997

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Posted 09 January 2009 - 13:20

Originally posted by Jerry Entin
Cooper 997: Wally Willmott has never really told his side of the racing to anyone before George Begg wrote a book about Bruce McLaren. He has never shown these pictures on any site. He is letting the forum members enjoy his photos on this site.

One of Wally's fellow McLaren workers, Howden Ganley rode by the Cooper Formula One workshop today and this is what he saw in his words: "I drove past the old Cooper F1 shop in Langley Road yesterday (January 7th ). It has recently been demolished. It had been in a bad state for some time - I think since the Cooper family sold it. I had meant to photograph it some time ago. There was a printing company in it. The main factory in Hollyfield Rd ( just off Ewell Road ) is still looking good, the Police seem to be looking after it very well. The original showroom on the corner of Hollyfield Rd and Ewell Rd is still a car sales place. Just as it was when Stirling Moss went there with his father to look at a new Cooper 500 .
And the pub is still there as well.

Howden Ganley


Hi Jerry, Wally & Howden,

In my previous post I was almost going to mention that it would be good to see a current day photo of Cooper's Langley Road site. But clearly Howden has brought us all up to date on the outcome of yet another motor racing factory having met its end. Maybe another enthusiast has some more recent photos of the site, before its demise. Thanks for the update Howden.

In 1997 I did my one and only trip to Goodwood for the brilliant Festival of Speed, so while in England bravely ventured from East Barnet (where I was staying at a friend's) on a mission to find Cooper's site in Surbiton. Not a huge distance, but London traffic! Anyway after several stops to check that I was heading in the correct direction, I pulled over again to recheck the map. To my great surprise, after looking up from the map, there was Cooper's Hollyfield Rd & Ewell Rd premises just 150 metres in front of me. I moved into Hollyfield Rd to park my friend's borrowed Mini and begin taking some happy snaps. This in turn aroused one of the Police Officers to what I was up to, as the site had been in use by the Police since 1968. The outcome being that he showed me around, even the upstairs offices where the likes of Owen Maddock had designed so many of Cooper's racing cars. Being a building that had been designed by Owen's father anyway. John Cooper still owned the property and not much had changed. Other than the Cooper signage and the Esso fuel pumps had been long since removed. And Cooper racing cars had been replaced by Volvo Estate Police cars from memory.
The Police Officer told me about the race team factory, that was obviously the Langley Rd site. But I had never seen a photo, so didn't know what I was looking for and hence never saw it until Wally's photo appeared on this site. Now of course with Howden's update it's all a bit late.
I know Surbiton doesn't bring out the same emotional feelings as say, Maranello does to a Ferrari enthusiast. But let's hope the Hollyfield Rd & Ewell Rd premises continue to stand as testament to Charles & John Cooper's effort all those years ago. Where Cooper enthusiasts can visit, wind back the clock and pretend that things were so simply that you just pulled some tube out of the rack and began building a potentially front running racing car.

Cheers
Stephen

#55 Jerry Entin

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Posted 10 January 2009 - 11:33

cooper-spa.jpg
Bruce McLaren's Cooper Formlua One car at Spa in 1963.

Wally Willmott will now explain this picture:
"For the 1963 race at Spa, Fred Bedding and Pete Bedding made a special body, the aperture at the front was smaller and the sides next to the driver where higher. There was a special windscreen made that came in closer to the drivers helmet. There is a great photo of it in Doug Nye's 'Cooper Cars'."

"Those of you who have not got a copy of "Cooper Cars" are missing out on a great read, and that and Doug Nye's book on McLaren cars have become my most thumbed reference books."

Wally Willmott

photo Wally Willmott collection


Edited by Jerry Entin, 30 March 2020 - 13:47.


#56 Jerry Entin

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Posted 10 January 2009 - 21:45

Betty-600-x-450.jpg
This is Wally Willmott's pride and joy "Betty"
Betty is a Brabham BT21 Replica built by Wally last year.

Betty-2-600-x-350.jpg
Wally Willmott at speed in Betty.
Wally is getting ready to run his Brabham BT21 Replica "Betty" in Vintage races that are coming up in the next few weeks. Wally's good friend Jay Esterer is bringing his McRae F-5000 car to New Zealand to run it. Jay Esterer has had Graham McRae over to Edmonton, Canada with him and Graham McRae himself is going to be on Jay's crew.

photo Terry Marshall - Wally Willmott collection.


Edited by Jerry Entin, 26 March 2020 - 23:06.


#57 Jerry Entin

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Posted 10 January 2009 - 22:19

Tasman-mclaren.jpg
1964 McLaren/Willmott Tasman Cooper
Wally Willmott will explain this car now:

"At the close of the F1 season Bruce McLaren was in negotiation with the organizers in New Zealand and Australia to once again do the race series in the Antipodies. He aproached John Cooper with the request to have a new car purpose built. As the duration of the races were all short Bruce reasoned that we could design a car with a small fuel tank instead of the large panier style that were the norm in F1. A tank fittted around the driver in the form of a seat would allow the car to be very slim indeed. John Cooper decided that it was not worth doing for a one off car. Bruce McLaren then suggested to John that if he would permit, Bruce would employ me and between us we could build a car using the F1 workshop - as there was nothing happening there at that time of the year. John Cooper agreed and we (Bruce and I started the build)."

 

tasman-2.jpg

Tasman car getting body sections built
Wally will explain this photo:
"The main chassis has been Nickle Bronzed together and the stressed steel side skins are held in place with clamps whilst the Beddings make the wire template that they will form the body too."

Photos Wally Willmott collection


Edited by Jerry Entin, 29 March 2020 - 13:01.


#58 Doug Nye

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Posted 10 January 2009 - 22:27

Posted Image
1

Posted Image
2

Posted Image
3

Posted Image
4

Posted Image
5

Posted Image
6 ...not at all posed then...

Posted Image
7 ...mutual respect - Bruce, Jenks and (in background) Geoff Goddard...

Posted Image
8

Assorted early McLaren, Bruce, Timmy, Phil, Wally, Jim, Geoff, Jenks, Noddy pix...

Photos Copyright or via: The GP Library

DCN

#59 fines

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Posted 10 January 2009 - 22:30

:clap: :clap: :clap:

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#60 David McKinney

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Posted 10 January 2009 - 23:14

Picture 3, L-R
Len Gilbert, Bruce, WW, Tim Mayer, unknown, Pop McLaren

#61 bradbury west

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Posted 11 January 2009 - 00:19

Is that Dick Scammell, top right in 8 above JC's head?
Roger Lund

#62 Doug Nye

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Posted 11 January 2009 - 00:23

Negative.

DCN

#63 Ray Bell

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Posted 11 January 2009 - 02:07

The single car side-on shots are at entering Paddock Bend at Warwick Farm, Bruce and Phil...

Where is the NZ shot with the both cars taken? I assume Levin? Presumably practice day?

And the one of Timmy getting into the car?

#64 Jerry Entin

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Posted 11 January 2009 - 02:11

bruce-in-63-germ.jpg

Roger: In photo #8 of Doug's unbelievable pictures are: Mike "Noddy" Grohmann and Bruce McLaren and Mike Barney and Jim Clark and Ray Rowe. This was at Goodwood.

David: In photo#3 the fellow in the McLaren jacket with Tim Mayer is Tyler Alexander.
This was at Pukekohe.

Photo#1 Tommy Atkins and Bruce McLaren and Wally Willmott and right above Tommy Atkins half cut off is Harry Pearce.

Photo#2 Timmy Mayer and Wally Willmott and Teddy Mayer

Photo#6 Bruce McLaren and Wally Willmott and Bruce Harre and Howden Ganley and Eoin Young.

 

 

 

photo copyright GP Library


Edited by Jerry Entin, 26 March 2020 - 17:47.


#65 Jerry Entin

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Posted 11 January 2009 - 02:52

tas-almost.jpg
Tasman Cooper ready for testing
Finally on the ground with the ever faithfull Collotti gearbox - this gearbox was the one later used in the Cooper Oldsmobile and should go down in racing history as the 'Most been around Gearbox ever', having been in the Tommy Aitkins N.Z car the previous year.

test-tas.jpg
Bruce McLaren driving Tasman Cooper in testing.
On day one of testing entering the Chicane at Goodwood, the first ever McLaren/Willmott (Cooper)

photos Wally Willmott collection


Edited by Jerry Entin, 08 April 2020 - 01:47.


#66 GD66

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Posted 11 January 2009 - 02:55

Originally posted by Ray Bell
[B]The single car side-on shots are at entering Paddock Bend at Warwick Farm, Bruce and Phil...

Where is the NZ shot with the both cars taken? I assume Levin? Presumably practice day?

Pukekohe, Ray.

#67 Jerry Entin

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Posted 11 January 2009 - 03:45

lola-coupe-2.jpg
Bruce McLaren testing the Lola Coupe at Goodwood
Wally Willmott will describe this picture:
"On what was turning out to be an historically significant day Bruce was also driving the Lola coupe doing evaluation for the Ford Motor Company - who were thinking of entering a challenge at Le Mans."

photo Wally Willmott collection


Edited by Jerry Entin, 27 March 2020 - 18:12.


#68 Jerry Entin

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Posted 11 January 2009 - 03:55

helicop-2.jpg
Helicopter Racing 101 at Goodwood
Wally Willmott will describe this picture:
"One of the highlights of testing at Goodwood was the fact that the coastal rescue Helicopters from their nearby base would often fly over to see if there was anybody testing. Their game was to see if they could beat whomever it was, by flying very low and following the track. Bruce McLaren said it was a little unnerving at first, but later got to enjoy the challenge."

photo Wally Willmott collection


Edited by Jerry Entin, 27 March 2020 - 18:10.


#69 David McKinney

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Posted 11 January 2009 - 07:04

Originally posted by Jerry Entin
David: In photo#3 the fellow in the McLaren jacket with Tim Mayer is Tyler Alexander.

Thanks Jerry
I missed him by accident (trying to see two screens at once)

#70 Jerry Entin

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Posted 11 January 2009 - 09:47

gopher-van-2.jpg
Team McLaren Parts chaser
Wally Willmott will describe this picture :
"Along with the Collotti Gearbox this poor wee Mini Van also deserves a place in history as the most overworked under serviced vehicle in motor racing. Bruce McLaren bought it second hand and gave it to me for personal transport. Fitted with a tow bar and stuffed full of tools and spares it slaved back and forwards to Goodwood. Later it was to become 'Big Al's' 'Goffer' van and there is a photo around of it with a large wing mounted on the roof doing aerodynamic testing."

photo Wally Willmott collection


Edited by Jerry Entin, 27 March 2020 - 06:41.


#71 bradbury west

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Posted 11 January 2009 - 09:52

Originally posted by Jerry Entin
Posted Image
Helicopter Racing 101 at Goodwood
One of the highlights of testing at Goodwood was the fact that the coastal rescue Helicopters from their nearby base would often fly over to see if there was anybody testing. Their game was to see if they could beat whomever it was, by flying very low and following the track. Bruce McLaren said it was a little unnerving at first, but later got to enjoy the challenge.

photo Wally Willmott collection

Now that's about the height at which Ray Hanna flew the Spitfire on Revival opening day, but the other direction.
Roger Lund

#72 Jerry Entin

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Posted 11 January 2009 - 19:40

first-car-1-600-x-407.jpg
Wally Willmott's First car
Wally will now describe this photo:

"Everybody has to have a 'First Car'. Mine was a 1929 Austin 7 Special that I went half shares in with my best sister Anne, but had to quickly buy Anne's share because she complained that she never got to drive it.

 

I later sold the car to Eoin Young."

photo Wally Willmott collection


Edited by Jerry Entin, 27 March 2020 - 07:20.


#73 Jerry Entin

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Posted 11 January 2009 - 19:47

Ford10hill-2.jpg

Wally Willmott's Ford powered racer.
Wally will describe this photo:
"My second car was a Ford 10 special. It's flat head Ford motor driving through a 3 speed gear box to a Model 'T' Ford diff. Shown here at a local club Hill Climb.
 

 

Ford10street-2.jpg

Wally working on his Ford Racer

Wally's dad is at the front. That is Laddie at his side. The truck was Wally's dad's Ford Escort work truck. They are working in Wally's garage/workshop. That is the street in front of his house.

photos Wally Willmott collection.


Edited by Jerry Entin, 27 March 2020 - 12:48.


#74 bradbury west

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Posted 11 January 2009 - 20:15

Is that a Ford Thames 307C van in front, or something local?
Roger Lund

#75 MCS

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Posted 11 January 2009 - 20:15

What an absolutely enthralling thread - thank you Jerry, Wally, Doug, Howden et al.

As has been previously stated, Doug's Cooper Cars book is a fabulous piece of work - my wife bought the new edition for me the Christmas before last and it immediately became a favourite, so seeing all of these additional pictures is really quite something.

It's threads like this that make TNF such a great place - very much appreciated!

#76 Option1

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Posted 11 January 2009 - 21:10

Originally posted by MCS
What an absolutely enthralling thread - thank you Jerry, Wally, Doug, Howden et al.

As has been previously stated, Doug's Cooper Cars book is a fabulous piece of work - my wife bought the new edition for me the Christmas before last and it immediately became a favourite, so seeing all of these additional pictures is really quite something.

It's threads like this that make TNF such a great place - very much appreciated!

wot he sed! :up: :up:

Neil

#77 Jerry Entin

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Posted 12 January 2009 - 01:10

cjag-avery.jpg
Noel and Hilary Atley's beautiful C-Type Jaguar Replica.
Wally Willnott will describe this photo:

"This is a photo of 'Mine Host's'. Noel and Hilary Atley heading out
for a drive in their immaculate C type Jaguar Replica."

This is for Doug Nye who also has a C-Type Jaguar.


Edited by Jerry Entin, 27 March 2020 - 14:12.


#78 Jerry Entin

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Posted 12 January 2009 - 01:20

wally500cc2-1-1.jpg
Wally Willmott in his Cooper 500 Formula car.
Wally will now describe this photo:

"After the Ford 10 Special things started to get more serious (although you would not think so by looking at the crash helmet) when I bought a Mk10 Cooper 500. This car - chassis MKX/20/56 was imported into NZ by Syd Jensen then passed through the hands of Bruce Wood before I bought it. Powered by a shortstroke Manx Norton this was the car that inspired my dreams to one day work for Coopers in England. Shown here at the start of a local (Timaru NZ) Car Club Flying 1/4 mile. Len Bennett is the Official waiting for the
signal to release me."

photo Wally Willmott collection


Edited by Jerry Entin, 27 March 2020 - 21:49.


#79 Jerry Entin

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Posted 12 January 2009 - 01:26

wally-comp-500-x-403.jpg
Wally Willmott's main competition in the 500 Formula class.
Wally will describe this photo:

"My main competition at the local hillclimb events was Wally Baker in his Mk 8 Cooper. To my chagrin I could never beat him. Years later George Begg informed me that the Long Stoke Norton was a much better powerplant on methanol. This made me feel a lot better.

photo Wally Willmott collection


Edited by Jerry Entin, 30 March 2020 - 14:43.


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#80 Jerry Entin

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Posted 12 January 2009 - 01:35

wally-wounded.jpg
Wally Willmott, shaken, not stirred.
Wally will explain this photo:

"The end of my racing career came at Gebbies Pass, a tar sealed hill not far from Christchurch. On my first run of the day I slid off the road at a cattle grid, constructed from used railway line and still damp.
The end result was that I finished upside down and suspended over a long drop by a barbed wire fence. This photo taken several days later and out side the family home, shows the flattened nose section, flattened exhaust megaphone, and slightly worse for wear driver. Mother was not happy, although I appear to be still smiling."

photo Wally Willmott collection


Edited by Jerry Entin, 29 March 2020 - 04:06.


#81 Jerry Entin

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Posted 12 January 2009 - 01:46

cooper-2005.jpg
Wally Willmott and his old Cooper 500
Wally Willmott will explain this photo:

"Fast forward to 2005 and at a Historic meeting at Ruapuna (Christchurch) I am reunited with the car now beautifully restored and owned by Craig Pidgeon. Sadly we must fit roll over bars of ridiculous proportions before they can be driven on a race track. The Norton has long ago been sold and was replaced with a J.A.P.
engine."
For those who don't know, J.A.P engines stood for J.A. Prestwich, they were a British motorcycle engine maker. Their engines were used in Speedway bike racing and in the 500cc Formula type cars. Here is a site that explains the engines.
http://www.cybermoto.../brands/jap.htm

photo Wally Willmott collection.


Edited by Jerry Entin, 27 March 2020 - 12:50.


#82 Michael Henderson

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Posted 12 January 2009 - 02:13

I loved seeing the pix of Wally’s yacht, because I can claim some influence in his leaving motor racing for quite a long time and getting into boats.

When he left the racing scene in the mid-seventies he came to Australia, doing some casual work welding but looking for a “proper” job. At that time I was building a yacht for extended ocean-going, and was having my stainless welding done by well-known yachty Jack Christofferson. Jack wanted help in his workshop, and I recommended Wally. “That bloke you sent me, he’s real good!”, Jack later told me.

Cut to 1989 and Tonga, through where Norma and I were returning to Australia after some world-wide voyaging. Passing through a quiet blue anchorage we were hailed by this hairy monster who we couldn't recognise, and to find out who he was we went over for a drink. Turned out to be Wally, who had got the bug seriously, built this steel yacht to the design of a mutual friend, and was cruising around the Pacific. He continued living aboard in Lake Macquarie for years after returning to Australia, as Jerry Entin has shown.

We now love to catch up with him on his visits to Australia from NZ, most recently at the Tasman Revival meeting at Eastern Creek, where he was fettling one of the cars in the Kiwi F5000 franchise.

#83 Bjorn Kjer

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Posted 12 January 2009 - 07:36

Some wonderfull stuff on this thread , thank you !

#84 David McKinney

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Posted 12 January 2009 - 08:09

Originally posted by Jerry Entin
The Norton has long ago been sold and was replaced with a J.A.P. engine."

When I owned the ex-Willmott Cooper 500 it still had the Norton, a long-stroke Manx. I sold the car about 1986 or 87 to some bike people who wanted the engine

#85 Jerry Entin

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Posted 12 January 2009 - 21:09

back-from-Mosport.jpg
Cooper Oldsmobile just returned from Mosport Canada.
Here is a nice story on Bruce McLaren winning the Players 200 race at Mosport in 1964: http://www.zoompics.com/1964.htm

Tyler Alexander is bent over at the front making a bigger radiator vent opening.
Wally Willmott will explain this picture:
"This was one of those 'Eureka' moments that don't happen all that often. This is 'The Car' as it returned to England from Mosport. The body was so damaged by AJ Foyt's rock throwing tactics that it was due for a major rebuild and was going to be off the car for a while. We were going to be running out of time to get ready for Brands Hatch Guards Trophy as we also had to do something about those exhaust pipes.

 

Tyler-cutting-hole-2.jpg

Tyler Alexander making radiator vent opening bigger with tin snips.
Wally Willmott will explain this photo:
"The body was badly damaged at Mosport so it was decided we should cut a large hole in behind the radiator and see what happened. I took these photos of Tyler Alexander with, a hammer,and cold chisel, and two pair of tin snips,performing the task. The metal was just cut down the sides and across the front and the resultant flap roughly bent down. I can't remember the exact numbers but it was like a full second a lap quicker immediately and Bruce had a grin from ear to ear as he said it had improved the feel of the car immensely. Consequently when the body was rebuilt the car appeared at Brands Hatch with 'Proper' exhausts and the radiator cooling air ducted out the top of the nose."

photos Wally Willmott collection


Edited by Jerry Entin, 27 March 2020 - 21:28.


#86 Jerry Entin

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Posted 12 January 2009 - 21:56

mclaren-mk1-2.jpg
McLaren Mk 1 sports racer
Wally will explain this picture:
"And so start afresh we did and the resultant McLaren M1 was a good looking car by any ones standards. Here on the first time it was wheeled out of the workshop door Bruce does a lap of inspection."

 

brucle-mclaren-1964-gpl-goodwood-2106201
 McLaren Mk 1 in Model stage
Bruce McLaren and Wally Willmott and Bruce Harre and Howden Ganley and Eoin Young

photos Wally Willmott collection


Edited by Jerry Entin, 27 March 2020 - 07:03.


#87 John Ellacott

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Posted 13 January 2009 - 06:10

Jerry, What a great thread you have here.Many thanks to you and Wally for sharing these great photos and memories.
Thought you might like to see my one of Timmy in the Cooper at Warwick Farm, Homestead Corner, February 1964.

Posted Image

#88 David McKinney

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Posted 13 January 2009 - 19:04

Once again - thanks John :up:

That particular shot would have greatly helped a (non-forum) argument some of us were having a few months ago about whether the 1964 BMcLMRT Coopers had white stripes or silver stripes, and what colour the nose-bands were. I thought the nose-bands were masking-tape when they first appeared (at Teretonga?)

#89 Jerry Entin

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Posted 14 January 2009 - 02:12

wally-and-bruce-cooper.jpg

Wally Willmott and Bruce McLaren with Cooper Formula One

 

photo: Wally wWllmott collection


Edited by Jerry Entin, 28 March 2020 - 14:46.


#90 Aero426

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Posted 14 January 2009 - 04:56

Jerry, could you tell us the story of what happened to the car after Bruce was done with it?

#91 Dick Willis

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Posted 14 January 2009 - 05:23

I would restore it as the centre seat Zerex Special, probably its most notable format.

#92 Ray Bell

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Posted 14 January 2009 - 05:50

Agree with you there, Dick...

It was a Formula 1 GP car, the Zerex Special and the offset version, with the Climax being replaced by the V8 somewhere along the way. But its most notable period was as the centre-seat full-body Zerex car.

#93 fines

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Posted 14 January 2009 - 08:16

Reluctantly agree...

Normally, I would prefer a racing car over any sports car, any time, but there are just so many Coopers out there, and the Zerex was really special. And, it wasn't really a sports car, was it?;)

#94 Catalina Park

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Posted 14 January 2009 - 08:33

My own view is the chassis is complete in one form. It would need cutting, hacking and new bits to return it to the previous form. It would be 50% original and 50% new (mileage may vary)
At the moment it looks 100% original. (Original Mclaren Cooper Olds)

Besides, it is easier to find an Olds motor than a Climax. ;)

#95 B Squared

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Posted 14 January 2009 - 11:02

Forgive my ignorance, but what is the history of this particular chassis during its time as a Formula One car? I'd want to know that before making the decision. My immediate reaction was to redo the car in the Penske/ Zerex configuration, but I'm a bit biased that way. A most worthy project irregardless. Bottom line, I'd suggest that Mr. Willmott restore the car to the configuration that brings him the most pleasure & rekindles the best memories for him.

Brian

#96 Ray Bell

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Posted 14 January 2009 - 11:20

From oldracingcars.com:

Built for 1961 US GP. Briggs Cunningham (US) 1961 for Walt Hansgen and crashed at US GP - Roger Penske (US) 1961 and maybe used in libre racing by Penske (see F1-14-61 above) and by Timmy Mayer 1962. Rebuilt as Zerex Special late 1962 with 2.75-litre Climax (won at Riverside, Laguna Seca and Puerto Rica in Oct and Nov 1962) - John Mecom 1963 (nine races in 1963 and early 1964 including wins at Marlboro, Cumberland and Brands Hatch) - Bruce McLaren 1964 and rebuilt as Cooper-Oldsmobile with 3.5-litre Traco-Oldsmobile V8 (four wins from five races including wins at Aintree, Silverstone, Mosport and Brands Hatch). Sold to US owner late 1964 and not seen again until appeared at Nassau Speed Week December 1966. At some point imported into Venezuela by the late Leo Barboza and raced there. Subsequent history unknown. In 2005, a replica of the car, probably in its late 1962 form, is being built in the Northwest USA.


I guess it's subsequent history now has a chance to be revealed?

#97 B Squared

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Posted 14 January 2009 - 11:42

Ray - Thanks for the quick follow up to my question. A very nice "A" list of drivers, owners, & successes with the car in all of its guises.

Brian

#98 zoff2005

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Posted 14 January 2009 - 11:43

Originally posted by Dick Willis
I would restore it as the centre seat Zerex Special, probably its most notable format.


Absolutely! No question!
Marcus

#99 RickT

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Posted 14 January 2009 - 12:17

Hi Guys

Thanks for posting that Zerex pic Jerry, great to see the beast again ! It was also great to meet with both yourself and Wally at Mosport this year, just a shame the meeting had to end on such a sad note. Hopefully we will be able to get back there with the Chinook another time.

The Zerex is perhaps the most significant car in the history of McLaren, who are possibly the most famous racing car constructor of all time, ( although I'm sure all the Ferrari fans will disagree ! )

In my opinion, the car should therefore be restored to its Bruce McLaren Cooper Oldsmobile specification. From the photo it would appear that the chassis and running gear are largely still in that spec, so as Catalina has already said the restoration could also be based more on more of the 'original' components than brand new ones.

I just hope that this car is rescued, and that it will someday be seen back on the tracks, seeing it back out at Goodwood would be awesome !

Cheers
Richard

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#100 Jerry Entin

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Posted 14 January 2009 - 14:14

Zerex1965-Hammond.jpg
The car as it appeared while owned by Dave Morgan in 1965

Here are Wally Willmott's thoughts on what he would do with "The Car":
"Now there were so many photo's of the Cooper F1/Zerex/Cooper Oldsmobile taken during its many stages I would pose the question. If you were able to own the remains of this/these cars to what stage of its life would you restore it.

Doug Nye asked me some time ago to verify that the car on the trailer in the accompanying photo was indeed 'The Car' and I feel I can say with 99% certainty that it is.

It would have to be cut into enough bits to make. An F1 Cooper, a single seater Zerex, a 2 seater Zerex, a Cooper 'special' (as we ran her first up with the Climax engine but modified to be able to race under the English rules with a luggage space, horn, windscreen wipers), a Mosport winning Cooper Oldsmobile, and for my choice:

As she ran at Brands when we had gone about as far as we could go and it was time to start afresh."

Richard: It was also nice having the chance to meet you and your dad Anthony at Mosport and very nice to see Rudy Fejer again after all these years. He is a true treasure as I have said.

Aero426 and Brian: Here is a little more history on "The Car": Bruce McLaren sold the car to Dave Morgan, who ran it at Green Valley [2nd place behind Starkey's McLaren] and at Nassau. Dave Morgan is still alive and listed in the Tulsa, Oklahoma, phone book for those who are interested in its subsequent owners.

all research Willem Oosthoek.

Edited by Jerry Entin, 16 June 2019 - 15:10.