Chassis #: F1-11-61
1960 was the final year for the 2.5-liter regulations. Cooper and Brabham claimed their second World Championship. Except for a victory by Stirling Moss in a Lotus at Monaco, and a Phil Hill victory at Monza in a Ferrari, all races were won by Cooper. The British had boycotted the Italian race at Monza since the circuit was using banked turns.The mid-engined layout revolutionized F1, with most marque's adapting the style for the 1960 and 1961 season. The T55 was a continuation of the prior Owen Maddock designed Cooper F1 cars, with changes such as a six-speed gearbox, and a smaller and lower exterior. The slimming down of the vehicles was due to the regulation changes which changed displacement size from 2.5-liters to 1.5-liters. Work began on a 1.5-liter V8 engine, but it would not be ready until the close of the 1961 season. The team hoped their four-cylinder unit, which produced around 150 horsepower, and six-speed gearbox would be enough. Other teams, such as Ferrari, were producing considerably more horsepower from their engines. The Ferrari created nearly 190 horsepower while Porsche produced about 180 horsepower.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2007
Factory drivers at the start of the season were Jack Brabham and Bruce McLaren. As always, the Cooper team was well prepared and their cars had been tested and were ready to go by the start of the season. For Cooper, the season would not be another repeat of their prior two years of Championship Winning performances. They would end the season in fourth place after scoring fourteen points. Ferrari would win most of the races during the season, with their factory drivers Phil Hill and Wolfgang von Trips. Though the season went to Ferrari, the season ended in tragedy for them, as Trips collided with Jim Clark at Monza, killing Trips and fourteen spectators. Lotus managed a few victories throughout the season and ended in second place, followed by Porsche.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2007
Chassis #: F1-10-61
Cooper's engineers were able to slim down the original gearwheels and pack in six where once lived five. This helped the driver's balance the narrow torque band, especially in wet weather.
In 2009, this monoposto was offered for sale by Bonhams Auction at the Quail Lodge Resort and Golf Club in Carmel, CA. It was estimated to sell for $250,000 - $350,000. As bidding came to a close, the lot had been sold for the sum of $216,000 inclusive of Buyer's Premium.
Cooper
Related Drivers
Sir John Arthur 'Jack' BrabhamJohn Maxwell Lineham Love
Anthony Francis O'Connell 'Tony' Maggs
Timothy A. Mayer II
Bruce Leslie McLaren
Related Teams Cooper Car Company
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