14 replies to this topic

[Stephen W]

I have just had a leaflet drop through the letterbox giving details of what sounds like a superb day at Prescott hillclimb near Cheltenham. On Sunday 23rd July this year there will be a 60th Anniversary of the Cooper Racing Marque celebration at the Gloucestershire hill the venue where Charles & John Cooper unveiled their first racing car.

There should be over 50 Cooper Cars present ranging from the groundbreaking 500cc F3 cars to a selection of F1 cars. There will also be Sports Racing Cooper-MGs, Bobtails and Monacos. The Bugatti Owners Club hope to have many Cooper drivers from the 60s present.

Cost of admission is £15.00. Further details will be available on the club's website (www.prescott-hillclimb.com)

[rbm]

I have just recived an email:

"Ladies and Gentlemen

Plans for the Cooper Anniversary at Prescott on the 23rd July are almost complete. However, Richard Neale has a few spaces left for anyone with a Cooper to enter, take part or static display. Please contact him if you might like to have a deadline excuse to finish, finally, that hidden car and let it see daylight again.

......

E mail woody@coopercars.org "

I fairly sure that any Cooper finished or other wise would be welcome. come on drop Woody a mail.

[HiRich]

I have heard talk that Eric Brandon's T3, the second prototype 500, has been discovered and may be in attendance. I understand it was heavily modified after Eric sold it and is undergoing a lengthy restoration back to 1947 spec.

So, until T2 is rediscovered, it could be interesting to see.

Legal Disclaimer: Rumours heard by HiRich are as likely to be false as true. Please don't blame me if she isn't there!

[rbm]

Originally posted by HiRich
Legal Disclaimer: Rumours heard by HiRich are as likely to be false as true. Please don't blame me if she isn't there!

yep I've heard the same rumour

how ever there will be one of that first batch of production Coopers having a play

[Stephen W]

Latest Information:

On Sunday 23rd the Coopers take centre stage with six classes comprising a total of 54 sports and racing Coopers as well as a cavalcade of none competing Coopers. Add to this a Bugatti cavalcade, a class for Bugattis and a Morgan Three Wheeler class.

Unfortunately I will miss this event as I will be displaying my Elan at the Southport Historic Motor Show on the same day!

[Huw Jadvantich]

Somewhere in my fathers pile of old photos is one he took of, I think, Charles Cooper in what must be one of the first or the first car, still wearing FIAT Topolino wheels.
Wish I could make it - please take lots of photos of anything and everything!

[rbm]

Originally posted by HiRich
[B]I have heard talk that Eric Brandon's T3, the second prototype 500, has been discovered and may be in attendance. I understand it was heavily modified after Eric sold it and is undergoing a lengthy restoration back to 1947 spec.

Well it is in the entry list for the cavalcade.

Anyone going stop by and say hello, we are the unpainted alli ex-Kenya Cooper 500 mk2, which is the oldest Cooper there being chasis number 10 (Cooper Car Co. didn't exist when the prototypes were made )

you never know you might get roped in to pushing or spannering!

[simonlewisbooks]

We'll be in attendance with our bookstall (as at most Prescott events) situated right by the steps up to The Lodge (where the beer is located....) near the footbridge .

The usual selection of books and photos will also be on display including a bunch of Cooper related items of course.

Here's one of the photos - Cooper's Scottish agent Pat Prosser in the Bo'Ness paddock in 1952 - the red Healey on the left is Jimmie Stewart's car.





All TNF contributors most welcome to call in and have a chat.

Simon Lewis
Transport Books
www.simonlewis.com

[johnwilliamdavies]

Here are a few photographs I took yesterday. I thought it was a very enjoyable occasion.


Bugatti Type 35


Cooper MG


Lester MG


Cooper Mk8



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Welsh Motor Sport History

[Alan Cox]

Thanks for the pics, John. Do you have more? Can you highlight some of the Cooper entry?

[frogeye59]

Great Pic's John, daughters 2nd birthday got in the way of this one - I'll be there for the VSCC event though.

Was it a fitting day to celebrate this great marque ?

More pics please.

David

[rbm]

What a great weekend, the Eric Brandon prototype was there in a stripped condition, 3 first year 1948 mk2 500, and a whole host of great cars.

The kenya (1948 mk2 500)had a new first...... we finally got past a start line, in the rain with a solid rear axle it was intresting, nearly spun at Pardon then failed to finish having had a cam follower disintigrate coming out of semi-circle on the 1st practise and then having stripped and bodged the engine it failed before the bridge on our only other attempt, a little disappointing as it was a 14 hour round trip!

don't supose anyone has any pictures of 92 on the track?

[Huw Jadvantich]

Now thats motor sport , I can almost smell the Castrol R. More piks Please!!!

[johnwilliamdavies]

I'm pleased you liked the first lot of photographs, here are a few more.


Cooper Mk5 (one of the 23 500s competing)


Mini Cooper S


the Pittaway's Bugatti Type 35 that was driven down to the Monaco Historic race


Cooper Maserati. Unfortunately it didn't run





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Welsh Motor Sport History

[simonlewisbooks]

It certainly was a shame the Cooper-Maserati didn't run. What an impressive looking device it was in the flesh! I'd have loved to hear it running.

Was the Pittaway Bugatti the genuine 1924 team car from the French GP that they kept mentioning over the PA system?

I was stuck on my bookstallstall most of the day and always missed hearing/seeing exactly which one they were referring too. It had always gone past me before the commentator spotted it. They mentioned it spent a long time with a guy who couldn't actually afford to have it restored and thus it retained so much originality that would normally have been lost. Nice story.

Several of the Bugattis had that glorious patina of age about them, as did many of the Coopers. That ex Le Mans Bugatti that ran, only on Saturday I think, and lit up it's rear tyres off the line in fine style, was very impressive. Wonderful looking engine.

Lovely stuff.

Simon Lewis
Transport Books
www.simonlewis.com