Sold 1952 Cooper MkVI F-III.

Something different....
Listed here for sale is my 1952 Cooper MkVI Formula III race car. The car is ready to go as a race car in vintage formula classes, including 500cc and FJr. It also makes a great display piece as it takes up little room. Since my focus is on racing pre-war cars, I've decided to part with this car and another in order to help fund my next road car.

According to the log book, the Cooper participated in several Lime Rock and Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix in the early 1990's, although history before this is currently unknown. Don Black, the North American Alfa-Romeo engineer, restored the car in the later 1990's. He told me that his inspiration for restoring the car is that this MkVI is very similar to the car be bought new in the 1950's directly from Cooper. The car then was kept in storage until 2019 when I got it and refreshed it for track use.

Approximately 30 miles have been put on the car locally, running it around my local roads. I then participated in the 2020 VSCCA Fall Finale at Lime Rock. The engine was rebuilt in early 2021 and run at 2 more vintage events. The single cylinder 500cc engine has been configured for 14:1 compression and is fed by an Amal dual-float concentric MkII carburettor. Tuning has been carried out on-road, on-track, and using an air-fuel meter situated in the exhaust. This Cooper starts easily, idles smoothly, and has a strong power band from 3000 to 5500 rpm. Current gearing allows for a top speed of approximately 85mph which has been proven by GPS at Lime Rock. With the new tires and suspension setup, it sticks very well and maintains speed through the corners. Weight comes in at around 600 pounds dry, but without driver. It's a ball of fun and drives incredibly different from the pre-war cars that I usually race!

The included gas-powered starter drives the rear wheels and easily starts the Cooper. A marine-battery powered roller starter system is available separately, which can also be used for starting motorcycles. By rolling the rear of the car onto the rollers, the driver simply presses a button to spin the rear wheels, then let out the clutch to fire the engine. This is a specially crafted system adapted from motorcycle solo starting systems.

1952 Cooper MkVI F-III Race Car
Serial Number 26
500cc JAP Speedway 4B motor
Norton gearbox

• Fully restored and race ready
• All-aluminum body panels
• Quick-release panels
• Red front body/nose, all others polished
• New tires(2020)
• Rebuilt JAP(2021)
• Brakes serviced(2020)
• Suspension geometry corrected(2020)
• Motorcycle muffler(for sound restricted tracks)
• Spark-plug/head temperature gauge
• Fitted with brake light LED(2020)
• Fitted with MSD small-engine controller and coil
• Ignition timing by SEM magneto
• Switchable electric methanol pump with regulator
• Fitted with (2) NiMH RC batteries(two sets and charger included)
• 5-point safety belts(2020)
• Dual fuel tanks
• Large engine oil supply tank with sight-level
• Drainable sump tank
• Restored by Don Black in the mid-1990's and stored until 2019.
• Current VSCCA logbook, plus previous logbook.

Includes:

• Several binders of restoration photos and receipts
• Gas-powered push-starter system
• Quick-jack, tailored for a Cooper
• Two sizes of quick-release steering wheels
• Megaphone exhaust (for more loudness!)
• Amal carb needles, floats, jets, and slides
• 3 jugs of fuel if picked up locally

Located near Quakertown, PA 18951
Price: $29000 on bill of sale
PM me for contact details.
Will also be posting a few videos soon.
Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Here are a few pics from the restoration binder:
Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

That is really cool!

 

Wow how beautiful! How long have you been using it?

 

I've used it the last 2 "seasons". Since I don't do a lot of events a year, I've only done 2 Lime rock events and 1 hillclimb with this car.
This Cooper is amazing. It's such a punch in the back when the power comes on. Compared to my pre-war cars which have fully mechanical brakes, the hydraulic brakes on the Cooper really grab well. They're based on the MG TD, so parts are easy. The drums are integrated into the wheels. Due to the storage for so long, the brakes needed the most attention when I got the car. Full rubber rebuild, plus cleaning up the master and slave cylinders.
We live on back-roads, so it's easy to just go bombing around which has helped in tuning and setup. And it's a very comfortable ride!

 

Just put up a few videos. These are 360, so you can move the camera view around to see front, back, sides, up.

This is using the roller starter system, then a short run around the paddock on the way to the grid:


This is a lap around Lime Rock as I was getting the feel for the engine, car, and tuning:

 

Wait what is the chassis #??

 

Chassis #26.

 

Here are a few additional pics: the gas powered starter and the quick-jack. The gas powered starter recently had a fuel line replaced and oil changed, but could probably use new inner tubes on the 3 small tires. On the starter is another starter which got a new battery last year.

Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login