• Desirable Manx Norton engine
• Engine overhauled in 1994
• Bodywork restored and repainted
• Present ownership since 1996/1997
• Kept on static display since acquisition

"For 1955 the production Mark IX retained the curved-tube layout of the Mark VIII... Overall the new Mark IX F3 car was slimmer, lower and lighter than it immediate predecessors... the major Mark IX innovation... was a single disc brake acting on the diff-less back axle." - Doug Nye, Cooper Cars.

Powered by mostly JAP and Manx Norton motorcycle engines, Cooper's innovative rear-engined racing cars dominated the 500cc Formula 3 scene in the 1950s, providing many future stars, most notably Stirling Moss, with their first taste of 'real' motor racing. Charles and John Cooper's first post-war racing car (there had been a one-off trials special built in the late 1930s) utilised the chassis of a crashed FIAT Topolino. FIAT transverse-leaf independent front suspension was used at both ends and the single-cylinder 500cc JAP motorcycle engine was positioned behind the driver, this being the easiest way to accommodate the motorcycle transmission's chain final drive. The Coopers' friend Eric Brandon drove a Mark I to victory in the first-ever 500cc race in 1947 and before long the Cooper had established itself as the car to beat. The resulting flood of orders meant that relying on a supply of crashed Topolinos was out of the question, and the Coopers set about designing a car that could be built from scratch, powered in its initial form by the ubiquitous 'Speedway' JAP engine. Over the course of next decade the F3 Cooper gained rack-and-pinion steering, pannier fuel tanks and a proper tubular-steel spaceframe chassis among numerous other improvements as development proceeded through Marks I to XIII, while the JAP engine gradually gave way to the overhead-camshaft Manx Norton unit.

This Cooper Mark IX Formula 3 monoposto has the desirable Manx Norton engine. Our vendor purchased the Cooper from the late John Surtees in 1996/1997 after a search for the right car. Team Surtees' copy fax on file describes the engine as a short-stroke unit overhauled in 1994, and states that there had been only three events since the rebuild. It appears from the correspondence that Surtees had the bodywork restored and repainted from red to green, possibly by Rod Jolley Coachworks (see estimate on file). Other works were carried out by Surtees before shipment to Japan where the Cooper has been on static display/storage since arrival. Recommissioning will be required before the car returns to the racetrack. Offered with copy FIA papers recording previous use in Sweden (1998 and 1992).

Please note that this vehicle is from outside the UK. Our customs agents, CARS UK, will manage all post sale customs administration. A fee of £350+VAT will be charged on the buyer's invoice to administer both import or export customs movements. If the buyer also chooses to ship with CARS UK, this will be quoted separately. If this vehicle is to remain in the UK, it will be subject to Import VAT at the reduced rate of 5% on the hammer price. This vehicle will not be available for immediate collection after the sale and will only be released on completion of customs clearance formalities. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Car Department.