Rare 1959 Cooper-Monaco Comes Up For Sale

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