1962 Cooper T-59 MKIII FJ

Monoposto
Chassis number: FJ-35-62

The 1962 Cooper T59 was built to the 1100cc Formula junior weight limit of 882 pounds and was powered by either a BMC or Ford engine. Although basically similar to the 1961 car, the most obvious change was a reduction in the size of the bodywork - which is five inches narrower and one and one-half inches lower than on the 1961 car. Also, a semi-reclining driving position was adopted so that the driver lies down more so than in previous Coopers. Other important changes included raising the front and rear roll centers and stiffening the frame.

Rack-and-pinion steering, Borg and Beck diaphragm-spring clutch, Lockheed disc brakes front and rear, and bolt-on cast magnesium alloy wheels complete this assembly.

Originally campaigned in the United Kingdom, this car was imported to the United States in 1986 and was the winner of the 2006 Formula Junior race at the 33rd Monterey Historic Automobile Races. A repeat victory was earned again in 2007.

Monoposto
Chassis number: FJ-8-62

Teddy Mayer and Bill Smith purchased this car in 1962 and formed the REVEMS team with drivers Peter Revson (REV), Time Mayer (EM), and Bill Smith (S). The car was built to Cooper's works team specifications. The team won the 1962 US Formula Junior Championship, placing first, second, and fourth.

This car has the original dry-sumped BMC SP race engine and ERSA/Jack Night gearbox, with five forward speeds. It has been restored to the original team colors and specifications.

Monoposto
Chassis number: FJ-7-62

This Cooper-BMC Type 59 Formula Junior Racing Single-Seater is a combination of chassis number 'FJ-7-62' and 'FJ-8-62.' At the 1962 Puerto Rican GP at Caguas, the Rev-Em Racing team Cooper chassis number FJ-7-62 and FJ-8-62 were possibly driven to victory by Timmy Mayer, and third place by Peter Revson.

Frontal damage to FJ-7-62 and rear-end damage to FJ-8-62 saw the latter being sacrificed as the chassis were cut in half and amalgamated back-to-back. Thus, this single-seat sports racer is comprised of the original rear half of his chassis frame with the front half of FJ-8-62. It has also been fitted with a BMC engine plus a Citroen ERSA gearbox.

The 1,095cc BMC-XSP four-cylinder engine has a single, twin-choke Weber carburetor backed by a five-speed Citroen-ERSA gearbox with reverse. It has a spaceframe chassis construction and disc brakes at all four corners.

by Dan Vaughan