Automobile [Racing Car Formula I Cooper Climax T66]
Maker and role
Cooper Car Company, Manufacturer
Production date
1963
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
1978.735
Maker
Production period
Description
1963 Cooper Climax Formula One race car with a 4 cylinder inline engine, bore x stroke 94 x 89.9 mm, 2495 cc, 240 bhp at 6750 rpm.
Dark blue and white paintwork, gold nose, no "5" on hood and side
Specifications:
Type: Formula I racing car
Model: Cooper Climax T66
Manufacturer: Cooper Car Company
Country manufactured: England
Engine type: Petrol, 4-cylinder inline Coventry-Climax
Engine capacity: 2.7 litre
Dark blue and white paintwork, gold nose, no "5" on hood and side
Specifications:
Type: Formula I racing car
Model: Cooper Climax T66
Manufacturer: Cooper Car Company
Country manufactured: England
Engine type: Petrol, 4-cylinder inline Coventry-Climax
Engine capacity: 2.7 litre
Brief History
This car started life as a Cooper Climax Formula 1 car with a 1.5 litre V8 engine and alloy body. It was driven by Bruce McLaren and Phil Hill for the Cooper team. Bruce’s best results with it were third at the Monza Grand Prix and fourth in the South African Grand Prix. Phil Hill was driving it when it crashed and caught fire during the Austrian Grand Prix in 1964.
The car was brought back to New Zealand by Bruce Abernethy, who rebuilt the car with the help of Bruce McLaren. It was converted to Tasman Series specifications, with a fibreglass body and the 2.7 litre engine which it has now. It was sold to the New Zealand Grand Prix Association who used it to train new drivers. They obtained sponsorship from Rothmans and it was raced quite successfully by Dennis Marwood for two seasons under their Driver Promotion Scheme.
Bruce McLaren’s father Les was responsible in organising its donation to MOTAT in 1978. During its time at MOTAT it has undergone full restoration. The decision was made to restore it to look as it did when it last raced in the Tasman Series. It has since completed several laps of Pukekohe with Dennis Marwood at the wheel.
Specifications:
Type: Formula I racing car
Model: Cooper Climax
Manufacturer: Cooper Car Company
Country manufactured: England
Date: 1961
Engine type: Petrol, 4-cylinder inline Coventry-Climax
Engine capacity: 2.7 litre
The car was brought back to New Zealand by Bruce Abernethy, who rebuilt the car with the help of Bruce McLaren. It was converted to Tasman Series specifications, with a fibreglass body and the 2.7 litre engine which it has now. It was sold to the New Zealand Grand Prix Association who used it to train new drivers. They obtained sponsorship from Rothmans and it was raced quite successfully by Dennis Marwood for two seasons under their Driver Promotion Scheme.
Bruce McLaren’s father Les was responsible in organising its donation to MOTAT in 1978. During its time at MOTAT it has undergone full restoration. The decision was made to restore it to look as it did when it last raced in the Tasman Series. It has since completed several laps of Pukekohe with Dennis Marwood at the wheel.
Specifications:
Type: Formula I racing car
Model: Cooper Climax
Manufacturer: Cooper Car Company
Country manufactured: England
Date: 1961
Engine type: Petrol, 4-cylinder inline Coventry-Climax
Engine capacity: 2.7 litre
Marks
COOPER Maker's Plate
5 Signwritten
DAVE GIDDENS SAILMAKERS LTD / Ph 846 9859 Auckland Maker's Mark
5 Signwritten
DAVE GIDDENS SAILMAKERS LTD / Ph 846 9859 Auckland Maker's Mark
Media/Materials
Collection
Credit Line
Cooper Car Company. 1963. Automobile [Racing Car Formula I Cooper Climax T66], 1978.735. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
On display?
On display
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