Hemmings, the bible for dyed in the wool gearheads, pertolheads, motorgeeks and racing fanatics (and not to mention people that collect all sorts of car-related stuff; they even have a name for it: Automobilia) just popped up with a very, very cool car to hit the market: A rare 1959 Cooper-Monaco.
Now, I know I’ll be showing my age (again), but when I was a kid, these damn Cooper-Monacos seemed to be everywhere and also seemed to be further confirmation that John Cooper could not only walk on water, but was a serious rival to Colin Chapman and a huge worry to the likes of the grandee teams like Ferrari.
Remember, it was a Cooper that Jack Brabham was driving when he showed up to the Indy 500 in 1961 and was running rings around 95% of the field. In a car with the smallest engine of the lot. It was from the fertile mind of John Cooper that the “rear engined” Grand Prix car was born (pre-war Auto Unions and a few others notwithstanding).
And Cooper expanded that single seater philosophy into the two-seat sports racer field when he constructed the Cooper-Monaco. Just look at this little guy … what’s not to love? Small, agile, great little engine with that Coventry-Climax. The Cooper-Monaco was a lot like a Lotus 23 to a certain extent, only years early.
And the model that popped up in Hemmings isn’t just a run of the mill Cooper-Monaco, oh no (although they were everywhere, John made batches of them). The Cooper-Monaco we have here is so cool that I’ve got to give you Hemming’s description whole:
CM4/59 was delivered new to John Coombs in 1959 and driven with success by Jack Brabham and Bruce McLaren at Silverstone, Aintree and Goodwood etc. Very well documented car with a truly exciting provenance. This Cooper-Monaco is fitted with a fresh Coventry Climax FPF engine and is immaculately prepared in every way. Ready to compete in the most prestigious FIA historical events. Located in Europe.
Dear God … the only downsides (for me) are three (and two of those are perenial): It’s located in Europe, I have no garage space and I have no money.
But it’s just too cool. Driven by three-time world champion Jack Brabham as well as Bruce McLaren, the man who dominated the CanAm series. Raced at places like Silverstone, Aintree and Goodwood. And it even has a fresh Coventry Climax FPF and is ready to go.
One of you out there should buy this thing … I’m counting on living through you vicariously. I really am. In case you are interested, the Cooper-Monaco is being offered by Legends Automotive.
Source: Hemmings
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