Cooper T72

[jsirois]

We just picked up the Cooper T72 with chassis # F3.1.64 -Its engine is an XSP with the # tag on the engine (XSP 222418) We are doing the best we can to piece together the history of this particular car. It is interesting in that the front bodywork is aluminum - we have photos going back to 1969 with this aluminum bodywork on the car. From what we have gathered, so far, only the Cooper Works t72's came with the aluminum bodywork. We also have received information that chassis # 1 and 2 were the Cooper Works cars. I would like to verify this information as it goes against what's written in the Cooper (Nye) book. Also, of particular interest would be a photo of the rear of the car without the body work on (or any period photos) that may help us to identify our car.

I was hoping that maybe one or two of you guys had some information about the T72's. We would appreciate any information anybody would like to add, also, any pictures would be greatly appreciated.

I will attach a picture or two when I can figure out how!

Thanks Very Much - Jim

[allenbrown]

F3.1.64 was, according to Cooper records, sold to "D. Richamond" who I would assume to be Daniel Richmond of Downton Engineering. If that's right, this would be the car driven by Rob Slotemaker and John Rhodes with a Downton prepared engine in 1964. This would explain it being supplied by Cooper less engine.

Downton had strong links to Cooper through the Mini project so may have got works spec bits.

Where did you get information that 1 and 2 were Cooper works cars?

You infer you have history on this car back to 1969. Can you let us know where it's been over that period?

Allen

[jsirois]

Allen,

Thanks for your response. The information that chassis #1 and #2 were the Cooper Works cars came in an email from Mike Brookes, who is very involved and knowledgeable via the t72 -

As far as ownership information, this is what we have:

1969 raced SCCA Formula C by Doug Turner. Raced in July at Mid Ohio, we think as car #28. We think it was raced as car #49 prior to this???

We believe the car was later owned by Ted Allen of La Habra, California, in the early to mid 70's. It was then sold to Rick Cole. Sold again in 1984 to Frank Appleby and raced in vintage events by him until 1989. It has been stored since then until we purchased the car in May of 07.

Can sombody help me on how to get pictures from my computer to print onto the thread, I would like to picture of the car up.

[K Andrews]

The Cooper Car Club has the history on F3/1/64 as follows: This was the first ‘Customer Car’ delivered to D. Richomond less engine. As previously mentioned, he owned Downton Engineering a well known tuning company who raced a ‘Mini’ team. Downton fitted their own BMC engine and it was raced with little reliability or success with drivers such as Rob Slotemaker in 1964. In 1965 T.J.Bibb aquired it and it then passed to David Plumstead before ending its UK history in 1967 with R.H King. I think by this time it had acquired the XSP engine which was sold with F3/15/64 ie 222418, this is still fitted in the car. It was moved to the USA by Ted Allen and purchased by Rick Cole in 1976. Frank Appleby, Fallbrook, CA, purchased the car from Rick Cole in 1983 and drove it in So. Calif. Vintage Events until 1989. He had it in storage from 1989 - 2006. Offered for sale in 2006. As far as we can tell, it left the Works with a FG body although now it has what appears to be a rather crude Alli job. It could be that it acquired this when the FG one fell apart and it was easier or cheaper to make an Alli one Stateside rather than try to find a FG one and ship it? Hope this helps. K Andrews

[K Andrews]

Photos of F3/1/64 taken in 2006

[skygod]

I recently had the pleasure of meeting a very nice Swedish guy (Hans Sjostedt) who happened to mention that in the 1960 / 1970s he had been involved in F2 / F3 motor racing.

I would like to try and gather information on the cars he drove and if they are still around today.

According to www.formula2.net, he was the aggregate winner of the 1966 Jysk Grand Prix at Silkeborg and he is attributed to driving a Cooper T72

Any information would be most welcome.

Thanks

[gartht]

Originally Posted by K Andrews

As far as we can tell, it left the Works with a FG body although now it has what appears to be a rather crude Alli job. It could be that it acquired this when the FG one fell apart and it was easier or cheaper to make an Alli one Stateside rather than try to find a FG one and ship it? Hope this helps. K Andrews

After reviewing photos of the original car F3-1-64 taken in 1964, I can confirm that the body is genuine Aluminium and not as thought, one made of Fibre Glass. When repairing and stripping the aluminium body back to bare metal, both the screen rivets and original placement of the wing mirrors, and other features align exactly!.
One must also remember that all the FG bodies would have been taken off a Aluminium master, the master was F3-1-64.

[K Andrews]

Agreed, F3.1.64 was probably the master, or one of the masters, for T72 FG bodywork. This is similar to what we have now found to be the case for the earlier Cooper FJs.

Cooper chassis records confirm F3.4.64 and F3.5.64 to be the ex-Tyrrell T72s.