276 replies to this topic

[Jerry Entin]

Wally Willmott and Bruce McLaren and Eoin Young in 1962.
This is the start of McLaren Racing. Patty McLaren was also part of this team.

I am going to start a thread on Wally Willmott, the first employee of Bruce McLaren Racing. I hope the forum members will enjoy seeing the friends of Wally and hearing the different stories of what it was like in the day to be on a Formula One Team and what it was like in the beginning to be a part of Bruce McLaren Racing.

Wally Willmott will now explain this photo:
"Bruce McLaren and myself and Eoin Young at the Perth Service station.
You can see that we have used masking tape to cover all the leading edges of the car owing to the fact that the race track had just recently been surfaced with crushed gravel held in place with Tar (as was the norm on Roads in the area). Unfortunately the very hot sun melted the tar and flying sharp stones where a menace.The tow car and trailer was supplied by the same BMC dealer that owned the mini. The car was entered by Bruce McLaren and that was Bruce McLaren, Patty, Eoin Young and myself, the first race win of a group that was to become McLaren Racing."

Wally explains this car here: " Bruce was there to run in the Australian GP in a Cooper Tasman car built by Harry Pearce and myself out of a car Tommy Atkins had intended to run in the non championship F1 races. The Coventry Climax motor he had ordered never showed up and Tommy was at a loss as to what to do with the car. Bruce wanted to run the Tasman Series and did a deal with him, and Harry and I fitted a 4 cyl 2.5 lt Climax.

We won this race in December went on to NZ then back to Australia in February and won the following years Australian GP and the Tasman series of that year.

photo Wally Willmott collection.

Edited by Jerry Entin, 20 December 2012 - 22:00.

[Ray Bell]

Be sure to get in plenty of his Tasman Cup stories, Jerry!

Wally came here a few times, he's sure to remember some of the good stuff...

[JacnGille]

Originally posted by Jerry Entin
I hope the forum members will enjoy..

You bet!!!!!

[Jerry Entin]

Wally Willmott on the side and Tyler Alexander in the rear of the McLaren Mk 1 sportscar
This is at the Riverside Grand Prix of 1964. This is the first time the team wore matching outfits. They have on white pants and matching short sleeve shirts and cowboy hats.

Bruce McLaren in car.Haig Altoonian behind car with shirt off. Haig Altoonian was the head mechanic on the movie LeMans. He was Steve McQueens go to Guy.

Wally Willmott on the left and Tyler Alexander at rear and at the front Team manager Teddy Mayer.
Bruce McLaren is in car with his cowboy hat on.
photos Kirby Guyer collection.

Edited by Jerry Entin, 28 March 2020 - 19:41.

[Jerry Entin]

Wally Willmott and the crew making the McLaren Formula One car.
This was before CAD and other computer generated programs. You just rivited the chassis together and there you were with a Formula One tub. Left to right: Wally Willmott, Big Alan, Welder John (John Thompson), Charlie Scaranno & Robin Herd.

photo Gary Knutson collection
research Gary Knutson

Edited by Jerry Entin, 28 March 2020 - 14:31.

[David McKinney]

Hope you don't mind me butting in with this

Wally in Bruce's Cooper-Climax T70 before the 1964 Pukekohe Tasman round
(Copyright David McKinney 1964)

[Jerry Entin]

Bruce McLaren and his main man Wally Willmott.

 

Wally and Bruce were not Boss and mechanic. They were genuine best mates. Bruce really enjoyed Wally and as they say Vice-Versa.
That is Tyler Alexander at the front.

photo Kirby Guyer collection

David: Thank you for displaying your great picture of Wally.

Edited by Jerry Entin, 27 March 2020 - 19:17.

[UAtkins]

I'm looking forward to hearing more, I remember Wally from when he first came to England and worked for my Dad, Tommy Atkins. Wally was kind enough to share some of his photos of that time in a letter he sent to me; I'm hoping to see some of them here.

Thanks for starting this thread.

Ursula

[Derek Pitt]

Why are they wearing those ridiculous hats though?

A British team ....New Zealanders.....??


Derek

[Jerry Entin]

Wally Willmott at Traco working on the Indy type Ford.
Wally and Gary Knutson were at Traco trying to make this engine work so it could be used in the new McLaren Formula One car.

Ursala: I know you are going to enjoy the photos that are coming.

Derek: They are wearing those hats to spoof the Texans, the Chaparral Team all wore cowboy hats and I think Teddy Mayer thought it would be fun to show up with them. I don't believe anyone has seen these pictures until now. Kirby Guyer who worked at Traco took them. She was kind enough to allow the forum members to see her pictures.

photo Gary Knutson collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 26 March 2020 - 22:30.

[Jerry Entin]

This past summer at Mosport Canada.
Ike Smith, Wally Willmott and Jerry Entin
I hadn't seen Wally in probably 40 years, I was at Mosport, Canada for the CanAm reunion this summer and was told Wally was there helping Jay Esterer. I went up to Wally and asked him if he knew who I was. He looked at me and I said Jerry Entin,from your youth. He smiled and hugged me and we had a great time visiting all weekend long.

photo Harry Lipetz

Edited by Jerry Entin, 17 December 2017 - 16:26.

[Jerry Entin]

Wally Willmott and the adorable Amanda McLaren
It is such a joy for Wally to be able to tell Amanda about her dad and the great times Wally and Bruce enjoyed.

photo Wally Willmott collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 26 March 2020 - 22:56.

[Jerry Entin]

Wally Willmott and Eoin Young
This is from Teretonga, February 07, after having driven a
demonstration lap in an M4 one of Wally's favorite McLaren models.

photo Wally Willmott collection.

Edited by Jerry Entin, 26 December 2012 - 16:49.

[Jerry Entin]

Wally Willmott in the ex Denis Hulme M 23 McLaren.
At the same meeting at Teretonga, Wally had the priviledge of driving the ex Denny Hulme M23 now owned by Phil Mauger of Christchurch, New Zealand.

Although built and raced after Wally Willmott had left McLarens, it made him very proud to have been part of the evolution that led to this car.

photo Wally Willmott collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 27 March 2020 - 18:59.

[UAtkins]

You are right, great photos! I am so pleased to see them and to see Wally again. Wonderful to see Amanda too. Thanks for sharing, I am looking forward to more photos.

Ursula

[Jerry Entin]

Wally Willmott with Jay Esterer at Mosport this last summer.
Jay Esterer of Edmonton, Canada had Wally come over for the CanAm reunion. Wally was mounting video cameras on Jay's car and got some unbelievable footage. Jay Esterer won the CanAm reunion held at Mosport. Billie Kokotylo is the crewman seen on the right.

Ursula: I am glad you are enjoying seeing Wally and his friends.

Edited by Jerry Entin, 27 March 2020 - 17:46.

[Derek Pitt]

Originally posted by Jerry Entin
Derek: They are wearing those hats to spoof the Texans, the Chaparral Team all wore cowboy hats and I think Teddy Mayer thought it would be fun to show up with them.

Ahhhh.....thanks Jerry.. that makes sense now..they were, as the Brits like to say - "taking the p...s"

The pictures are fantastic.

The one with Bruce's daughter in it and, I am sure she will forgive me if I say this, now approaching middle age, made me think that Bruce is rather like James Dean, in that in my mind, he has never got older than he appears in the original 1962 photo you hnave posted - and that is "kinda nice" as Americans say.


Derek

[Jerry Entin]

Tommy Atkins and Wally Willmott and Bruce McLaren and John Cooper
The fellow in the Deer Stalker hat is John Bolster who did commentary on the races.

Tommy Atkins is fellow forum members UATKINS dad.
He entered cars for many including Bruce McLaren and Roy Salvadori.

Wally Willmott was working with Harry Pearce for Tommy Atkins racing group called High Efficiency Motors in England. He then went on to help Bruce McLaren. Bruce had recommended Wally for a job with as Harry Pearce called him the "Governor", that was Tommy Atkins.

photo lent site Ursula Atkins

Edited by Jerry Entin, 27 March 2020 - 06:18.

[Jerry Entin]

Tommy Atkins and Bruce McLaren and Tony Maggs
Harry Pearce is leaning over the car. This is Monaco in 1962

This comes from Wally Willmott:
"Because Coopers had not finished the second 'Works' V8 car for Tony Maggs in time for Monaco, Tommy Atkins was asked to loan the the low line that he had campaigned for Bruce in the non championship races.

This was my first taste of Formula 1 championship racing, and Bruce McLaren driving the works car won the event."

photo Wally Willmott collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 05 April 2020 - 14:12.

[Jerry Entin]

Tommy Atkins Cooper

This comes from Wally Willmott:
"The - as always - immaculately presented 4cyl 1500 cc F1 car down at Goodwood for a days testing.
This was just prior to the Easter meeting at Goodwood where Bruce won the Lavant Cup."

photo Wally Willmott collection.

Edited by Jerry Entin, 26 March 2020 - 17:27.

[cooper997]

Hi Jerry,

Some great photos relating to Wally's motor racing career beginning to appear and nice that Ursula is part of this thread already.

My interest goes back to the early days of him working with Bruce. Especially their efforts at the 1962 Australian Grand Prix at Caversham in Western Australia. This being where they ran the unique 'Atkins' T62 Tasman Cooper successfully with Bruce's victory. Also that at the same meeting they ran a 997 Mini Cooper in the sedan races. I know it's probably a miniscule moment in Wally's career, but there's 2 reasons for my interest, I'm a Mini Cooper enthusiast and would like to read Wally's recollections of the preparation of the 997 Mini Cooper and the 1962 AGP as a whole. Such as did they (Bruce & Wally) arrive at Caversham with a Downton kit of parts to modify the 997 borrowed from the Western Australian BMC distributor? Just to help him recall the car it was the grey with a red roof. I say this because there was a grey & white 997 used beforehand by Bruce in New Zealand during the Tasman in 1962 (the same year Ron Flockhart ran one too). Then a BRG & White Mini Cooper used in NZ during the Tasman in 1963. If Wally can shed some light on these two cars too, then that would be great.

Also the T62 has a lengthy family history. Without going through things too finely (although I probably have anyway), Bruce obviously used the T62 before is passed to Lex Davison's ownership and use. Then Lex did one of his racing car 'updates' that allowed Rocky Tresise to step into the car and run in the 1965 Tasman Series. Unfortunately an illfated one, as Rocky had his fatal Longford crash in the car, which also claimed the life of young motor racing photographer, Robin D'Abera. Rocky's passing being the second tragedy for 'Ecurie Australie' in the space of just over a week. With his 'boss' having also tragically died at Sandown beforehand.

The Davison estate then advertised both Lex's damaged Brabham & the damaged Cooper T62. The buyer was Wally Mitchell. The way I understand it the Brabham would be repaired but the Cooper was raided for some parts for his RM1 sports car. This would also end in further tragedy with Wally crashing while racing RM1 at Symmons Plains. Whereby he would suffer severe burns, that around 6 weeks later would take him too.

Sometime not long before Wally's crash had taken place though, my uncle, John Dalton had done a deal with Wally to procure what was left of the T62. But he hadn't taken possession of it before Wally's crash and subsequent death. Finally when everything had settled down my uncle approached Wally's widow and he was able to acquire the bones of the T62. Being told to take whatever was his. When all this was taking place I would have been all of 2 or 3 years old. Fast forward to 1978 and would have still only been 13 years old but looking for some pocket money to buy a new bike. So in the September school holidays my dad arranged for me to help Uncle John tidy up to earn a few bucks. Part of this, as I recall, involved the shuffling of the bones of 3 Cooper Climax he had acquired by then. These all being under his house and there was a very bent chassis and bodywork, not that I knew the story then. At that same time and as an outcome of my helping I was taken to the practice day for big Sandown 'Fangio' meeting. It was a big meeting for me, being my first Sandown. Having only ever been to Winton and Lakeside previously. I recall my uncle (who I have to admit was 'a bit of a dealer') was letting various people know that the 3 Coopers were for sale at that Sandown. As an aside Bill Patterson had borrowed some of my uncle's Cooper parts so he could run his Cooper at this meeting. But none of the 3 Coopers would be sold until into the 1980's and several moves for my uncle's collection in between.

Cutting to the chase the last time I recall seeing the T62 was in its rolling chassis form in 1987 at Melbourne's Exhibition Building's Classic Car Show. A new chassis having been instigated and built by Charles Singleton I think. It had no bodywork at that stage and ownership had finally changed hands. I think there was 2 enthusiasts involved but Roger James name rings a bell as being one of them. The car would finally be completed and in the recession Australia had to have in the very early 1990's meant the car was sold. Seeing the car heading for the USA. Just recently in UK magazine 'Octane' I saw it for sale (but still in the US). Unfortunately I can't ask my uncle because he passed on a few years ago.

So after all this I hope Wally can add some information to the questions closer to the beginning of this post. Many thanks for starting the thread Jerry and please pass on my thanks to Wally.

Cheers
Stephen

[David McKinney]

Sorry to get on a particular hobby-horse of mine, Stephen, and I know we're talking about a period before you were born, but there was no 1962 Tasman Cooper, no 1962 Tasman series and no 1963 Tasman series. The first was in 1964

[Jerry Entin]

Testing the M5A McLaren at Goodwood with Denny Hulme.

This was prior to Wally Willmott's last race meeting with the team. The 68 South African GP at Kyalami.

Cooper 997: Here in Wally's words are the modifications he made to the Cooper Mini that Bruce McLaren raced:

"The Cooper Mini was supplied by a local dealer and I brought a set of extracters and carburettors as hand luggage from England to Perth, I fitted them on the Mini and from memory Bruce did extremely well."


photo Wally Willmott collection.

Edited by Jerry Entin, 27 March 2020 - 16:03.

[Jerry Entin]

Wally Willmott's sailing Yacht the Zora II.

After racing Wally decided the Sea was his next boundary. Here are Wally's own thoughts on what it is like to have a boat you call your home:
"Boats come in all shapes and sizes, they are always too small in the water and too big out of the water. Many compromises have to be made.

Zora II, at 10 meters (33ft), constructed of steel, was selected because she was easily sailed short handed and affordable to maintain and strong enough to survive encounters with coral reef.

She took myself and a lady friend from Australia to New Zealand and then on to Tonga, Fiji and New Caledonia.

On arrival back in Australian waters the need to work and the pressures of living in a confined space eventually took its toll on the relationship and we parted ways, leaving me to continue life as a 'Single handed' sailor."
photo Wally Willmott collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 27 March 2020 - 21:55.

[Jerry Entin]

Galley of the Zora II
As we land lovers would call this Wally's kitchen.

Very small by household standards. It is home to Wally however.

Edited by Jerry Entin, 05 April 2020 - 00:04.

[Jerry Entin]

Wally and a group of fellow Marina residents
Here are Wally's thoughts on living aboard a sailing yacht:
"Unfortunately living life at a Marina can become stressful, and the community would often meet (really often) to let the pressure down."

This is aboard the Zora II. As we land lovers would say Wally is in his private setup.

 

photos Wally Willmott collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 05 April 2020 - 16:05.

[Jerry Entin]

Jim Hall and Wally Willmott at Nassau in 1964.
In 1964 after a visit to Rattlersnake Raceway in Midland, Texas. Wally Willmott was invited by Jim Hall to go to Nassau with the Team to lend a hand. He had a great time and from there he headed to the Tasman series.

photo Gary Knutson collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 26 March 2020 - 17:32.

[Dale Harvey]

Originally posted by Jerry Entin

Wally Willmott's sailing Yatch the Zora II.

After racing Wally decided the Sea was his next boundry. Here are Wally's own thoughts on what it is like to have a boat you call your home:
"Boats come in all shapes and sizes, they are always too small in the water and too big out of the water. Many compromises have to be made.

Zora II, at 10 meters (33ft), constructed of steel, was selected because she was easily sailed short handed and affordable to maintain and strong enough to survive encounters with coral reef.

She took myself and a lady friend from Australia to New Zealand and then on to Tonga, Fiji and New Caledonia.

On arrival back in Australian waters the need to work and the pressures of living in a confined space eventually took its toll on the relationship and we parted ways, leaving me to continue life as a 'Single handed' sailor."
photo Wally Willmott collection

Jerry do you know where this was taken? It looks like it could be on Lake Macquarie NSW Australia. Very close to home.
Dale.

[cooper997]

Originally posted by David McKinney
Sorry to get on a particular hobby-horse of mine, Stephen, and I know we're talking about a period before you were born, but there was no 1962 Tasman Cooper, no 1962 Tasman series and no 1963 Tasman series. The first was in 1964

Hi David,

Just to add my 20 cents worth, my only mistake was to to call the T62 a Tasman Cooper - but given it's unique status isn't such a bad thing anyway. Especially given that it did race in Tasman events of 1963, 64 & 65. I am aware that the Tasman Series didn't start until 1964, hence why my only reference to it as a Series is in 1965. These races have for many a long year been generically tagged with Tasman by enthusiasts and motoring journalists alike and yes some get it wrong by adding Series in reference to races prior to 1964. Maybe it's time there was a definitive Tasman book written covering all facets prior to it becoming an official Series in 1964 and beyond. There's so many motor racing books, but this is one major chapter of motor racing history that is lacking (and if there is a book already it's not widely known).

My original intent of posting in the 'Wally Willmott' thread was to tell the tale as I know it of my family's involvement with the T62 and ask a couple of questions, if Wally was able to help via Jerry. Rightly or wrongly, the car may very well have disappeared forever given its ill-fated history. My uncle certainly believed that it would have been the case had he not salvaged it. Some may consider that it should have disappeared. But if this was the case then historic racing grids across the globe would be somewhat sparse given the number of drivers who died in racing cars of the period. With those very bent racing cars being returned to the track either in period or may years down the track. I have to admit that I was spooked by the history of the T62 when I knew what had gone before it. But as with many things like this we eventually accept it as history. Something none of us can change.

Cheers
Stephen

[cooper997]

Originally posted by Jerry Entin

Cooper 997: Here in Wally's words are the modifications he made to the Cooper Mini that Bruce McLaren raced:

"The Cooper Mini was supplied by a local dealer and I brought a set of extracters and carburettors as hand luggage from England to Perth, I fitted them on the Mini and from memory Bruce did extremly well."

[/B]

Hi Jerry,

Please pass on my thanks to Wally for his comments to my question about the Mini Cooper that he prepared for Bruce at Caversham in 1962. I know it's a very long time ago, but if Wally has any other recollections down the track about the Mini or the T62 at that Australian GP event I'd be interested to read about them.

Cheers
Stephen

[David McKinney]

Originally posted by cooper997
These races have for many a long year been generically tagged with Tasman by enthusiasts and motoring journalists alike

Well they shouldn't be

[Jerry Entin]

HRH Princes Margaret has a chat with Bruce McLaren
This was at Silverstone while Wally Willmott waits impatiently to get on with the job at hand.

photo Wally Willmott collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 27 March 2020 - 21:32.

[Jerry Entin]

Chris Amon 1965 St. Jovite
A happy trio. Chris Amon,Tyler Alexander and Wally Willmott at St. Jovite Canada in 1965. Chris Amon has just won at St Jovite.

Bruce McLaren was driving at Monaco for Coopers on this same weekend. He finished 5th in the race won by Graham Hill.

photo Wally Willmott collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 27 March 2020 - 01:36.

[Jerry Entin]

Bruce McLaren on the end of Formula One car build
This is again the construction of the first McLaren Formula One car. Bruce McLaren is now in the picture with Wally Willmott and also Colin Beanland is at the other end in this photo.

The mechansium they are building the car on. Was also know as the missile launcher or the Cannon.

Wally Willmott will explain the cannon now:
"The cannon was a team effort, powered by a mixture of Oxy acetylene, with an ignition coil suppling the spark to the plug. I am pretty sure that it was Garry Knutson who machined the hemi combustion chamber and supervised the welding after our first improvised breech came out at about the same velocity as the projectile (usually a paint can or what ever else we could find to fit the bore size.

The concept dated back to before my time at the Cooper F1 team workshop, but I embraced it with open arms and there are many stories to be told about "Events". Most would make "Safety Officers" hair stand on end - but boys will be boys and some times in the middle of yet another all night session - a little light entertainment is called for."

The windows seen behind where everyone is working were blown out by the cannon. Gary Knutson isn't in this picture because he is the one taking it.

photo Gary Knutson.

Edited by Jerry Entin, 27 March 2020 - 01:41.

[Jerry Entin]

Rattlesnake Raceway in Midland Texas
This was taken on November 22, 1963 the day JFK was assasinated.
Wally Willmott will tell of his feelings this day: This was one of those "Where were you when" .... moments.
I arrived at Rattlesnake Raceway in Midland the day JFK was shot.


photo Wally Willmott

Edited by Jerry Entin, 27 March 2020 - 18:48.

[Jerry Entin]

Jim Hall's wheels as seen at Rattlesnake Raceway

This comes from Wally Willmott about Jim Hall's choice of cars:
"Jim Hall had obviously not been listening to Ralph Nader. He spoke highly of his Corvair Spyder and enjoyed driving it."

photo Wally Willmott collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 27 March 2020 - 14:00.

[bradbury west]

Originally posted by Jerry Entin
The mechansium they are building the car on. Was also know as the missile launcher or the Cannon.

Wally Willmott will explain the cannon now:
"The cannon was a team effort, powered by a mixture of Oxy acetylene, with an ignition coil suppling the spark to the plug. ]

I think the practice/process was fairly commonplace, as Len Terry tells a similar story of the Rocket Launcher at Lotus in the late 50s.
Roger Lund

[Jerry Entin]

Jim Hall warming up the Chaparral at Rattlesnake Raceway in 1963.
That is Gary Knutson at the back of the truck.

photo Wally Willmott.

Edited by Jerry Entin, 26 March 2020 - 22:21.

[Jerry Entin]

Roger: Gary Knutson will now tell the whole story of the McLaren cannon:
"After witnessing several attempts at a cannon at McLaren's when I moved there, I volunteered to assist with the device made from the F1 fixture tube. This was a much larger bore and we used a mixture of oxygen and acetelyne from the welding plant. The torch would be lit, the flame adjusted to a neutral condition, and then extinguished by pressing the torch tip against something. This left the torch flowing a perfect mixture for our purposes. With the new "hemi" breech and spark plug in place at one end, the torch was inserted into the open end and allowed to flow for an indeterminate period of time. After we had decided that the tube was probably full, the torch was removed and a piece of plastic was taped over the end to contain the mixture. I had brought along a small magneto booster coil which would produce a nice spark at the plug when hooked to a 12V source. The cannon was inside the main workshop which was long an narrow and had windows over the workbenches which ran along the one wall. We were now faced with the problem of how to light off the cannon. After some persuasion, Big Alan was conned into being the one who would clip on the 12V battery lead. The rest of us had gone outside and were standing in the driveway when Alan touched the lead to the battery. The noise was deafening and then Big Alan sort of stumbled out the door. The inside of the shop had disappeared in a cloud of dust, that had accumulated over many years, rained down from the rafters of the building. The cannon's firing had created a low pressure area inside the building and this caused all the windows to blow inwards, covering the benches and everything else in the way with broken glass and debris. The mess was unbelievable! It took all our efforts and many hours to clean it all up. Harry Pearce, the works manager, was kind enough to have someone in early the next day to replace all the windows. I don't recall any problems with management but they must have been fairly upset at the time. We were also very lucky that Big Alan didn't loose his hearing.

The last test with the device was done in the F1 build area which had a large two piece wooden door leading out to the driveway. The cannon was pointed towards the door and this time loaded with a projectile rather than just the plastic over the barrel. The missile was a pint tin of resin that had cured in the can. It was a perfect fit in the bore. I don't know what we expected, but the end result was a large ragged hole through the wooden door. I don't believe we ever found the projectile. The door had to be patched and we were in the doghouse again. At least this time, there was no other damage. That ended the cannon tests during my career."

Regards
Gary Knutson

[thunder427]

Jerry;"but boys will be boy's".........In Australia we called that method of 'entertainment'..the 'Acetelyne Bomb',I was working for Bob Jane Racing in the 70's,our team manager had aquired a 'fixation' with the shock factor,resulting from the 'exstensive'....BANG....... we were expecting some guest from a Sydney to call in this perticular day at our shop, I was on the roof of the team transporter making some repairs, doubling as a 'Look Out',Team manager had perfected the containment of the 'GAS',in a 1/2 litre Flavoured Milk, carton,these were equiped with a 'small' hole for the 'Straw',this was perfect for applying the gas,(to quote Gary;"Indeterminate period of time"), you then relit the acetelyne tourch,waved it over the 'small hole'(which was now leaking the gas out),....BooooooooooooomM...., well there is a fine line between 'Sane and in-Sane',Our fearless leader had graduated to a 1litre Milk carton........from my position I'll give the Nod !!,a hand signal from me will start the proceedings,the Gentleman and his 'VERY' attractive Female alight from thier car,walk into the shop, I signal,(the tourch having been relit), is waved over the carton....BOOOOOOOOOMMMMM!!!!!!!....I've never seen a lady leap out of a 'Mini' skirt before while her arms were in the air,the 'Blast' (read Percussion) blew our asteemed Team Leader OVER knocking the wind completely out of him,(me thinking he's DEAD,while chocking on umpteem years of DUST floating down from the rafters),Particles of Milk Carton showering him,which left 'Deep Purple' inflictions for at least two weeks, the Sydney Gentleman , never even flinched, mumbled something about "useless people with out parents",but we had forgot a very important person to advise of our impending 'Sideshow'....THE SIGNWRITTER.....( whom was signwriting the teams A9X 'Bathurst' GMH/Torana )...to subjest that he got a SHOCK would be an understatement,the Maul stick went one way ,the small, hand held paint tin went the other,all the while he is racing to the aid of the 'Mortally Wonded' (so he thought !!) Team leader...Upshot was he took 2hrs 'OFF' to regain his compossure................Acetelyne bombs were banned by order of the (Slightly injured ) Team Manager !!!!....regards427

[Jerry Entin]

Roger Bailey with goggles driving the Cooper parts Transporter.

Wally Willmott will explain this picture:
"On the wharf at Dunkirk on the way back from Spa we met up with Roger Bailey, at that time mechanic for the Tyrell run Works Mini Team. Roger had broken a windscreen driving up through France, and as no replacements were available Roger had donned some borrowed drivers goggles and carried on."

photo Wally Willmott collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 26 March 2020 - 23:25.

[Jerry Entin]

The Works Mini Team - Easter Goodwood 1962 races
At the Mini on the right stands John Cooper, Ken Tyrell (back to camera) and John Coombs.

photo Wally Willmott collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 05 April 2020 - 14:08.

[Jerry Entin]

The Cooper works Transporter in Monaco

Wally Willmott will explain this picture:
"The works transporter was driven down to the waterfront car park where it would stay for the weekend, being visited if parts were needed, or to get something we had forgotten to unload. Two cars three mechanics and all the spares were squeezed in. The official paperwork for customs listing spares was worded very loosely and was several years old and nowhere near accurate. We were just expected to talk our way through every border crossing.

photo Wally Willmott collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 27 March 2020 - 17:40.

[Pat Clarke]

Sorry for getting a little off topic, but.......

Quote Jerry "the torch was inserted into the open end and allowed to flow for an indeterminate period of time"

This is, of course, the exact technique being used in the current spate of ATM robberies in Australia.

Pat

[Jerry Entin]

Pat: In that case maybe we shouldn't explain in detail how you blow things up. I hope no ATM Bandits are reading this forum.

[Jerry Entin]

Bruce McLaren's winning Works Cooper at Monaco in 1962

Wally Willmott will explain this photo:
"Here in the aformentioned public car park is Bruce McLaren's winning car. It was the done thing to drive the race cars from the workshop to the race track - and back if they were still running - otherwise we would tow them behind a rental car."

Here is a Video from you tube showing Bruce McLaren's win at the 1962 Monaco Grand Prix:
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=3yyd9oLAEyI


photo Wally Willmott collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 27 March 2020 - 13:06.

[Jerry Entin]

Cooper Formula One shop in 1963
This was located on a side street up the road from the main Cooper Garage/Factory was the F1 Shop.

Wally Willmott will now explain this picture:
"As I understand it it was used originally for building horse drawn carriages and inside the very uneven floor was in part Cobblestone. In the front behind the painted over windows Fred Bedding and his son Pete Bedding handcrafted the Aluminim bodies. Out in the back section we would build the cars at the start of the season and race prepare them. The transporter would be loaded out on the street."

For anyone who is enjoying seeing Wally Willmott's pictures and you want to know the whole Cooper story, I suggest Doug Nye's "Cooper Cars", this is the bible of Cooper Cars from the starting to the end with photos of everyone Wally has talked about.


photo Wally Willmott collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 06 April 2020 - 02:51.

[cooper997]

Fantastic stuff Wally & Jerry. I'm not sure whether Wally would have had any input with Doug's 'Cooper Cars' book. But I'm beginning to think if Doug is seeing these priceless shots (I dare say he probably is), Wally's recollections and photos would have been handy in the late 1970s/early 1980s when Doug was researching & preparing for the book. But no doubt it all comes down to technology of the time. No emails, no TNF... just lots of phone calls to try and track down those involved. Thank you.

Cheers
Stephen

[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 on 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 on 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

[Jerry Entin]

Here is the 1963 Cooper Formula One Team Transporter.
This was the ex Bowmaker Yeoman Racing Transporter. They ran Lola cars in Formula One.

Here is what it looked like when they got it from Bowmaker
photo Wally Willmott collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 30 March 2020 - 13:52.