Description:

History: Built in 1953, the Mk VII Cooper was a development of the Mk.VI. Both models had a parallel tube space frame chassis which replaced the earlier ladder chassis. This car is known to have been used by Ken Wharton before being sold to Tommy Norton and then Wally Cuff in supercharged form. A period clip on U-tube shows the car at Prescott in 1955. In the 1970's the car was acquired by Tom Wheatcroft as one of the first cars for his Donington Grand Prix Collection where it was catalogued and mounted on a wall plinth for almost 40 years. It was purchased direct from the museum in 2012 by the current owner who then totally restored it.

Modern provenance: Since 2012 this Cooper has been successfully used at most British hillcimbs, holding class records at Shelsley Walsh, Prescott, Harewood, Wiscombe and Gurston. The car is registered with the 500 Owners Association and holds the correct VIF form. It is elegible to race in 500 Championship and Formula Junior events by invitation and is a multi times winner of the club's Wally Cuff Trophy for period cars over 500 cc in hill-climbs. Alternatively it could be easily converted to run as a 500 with either a Norton or JAP engine on circuits or hills. 

Chassis: Round parallel tube space frame, transverse leaf springs f & r, updated in period with Mk.IX  'curly leaves' front & rear. Magnesium rear hubs with wishbone lower location. Cooper spec' steel f. hubs. Bespoke AVO adjustable dampers valved for the car. Rack & pinion Cooper rack. 13" steering wheel. Good condition Willans 6 point belts (not mandatory). 5 litre fuel tank.

Brakes: Twin leading shoes with ultra soft linings. Tilton 5/8" twin brake master cylinders with Cooper balance bar (original AP cylinders included). Aeroquip brake hoses.

Engine: JAP 'JTOS' V-twin 1,100 cc. Originally conceived as a Formula 2 engine (when 500's were Formula 3) the engine type dominated the British Hillclimb Championship in the late 50's and early 60's. Magnesium crankcase, alluminium barrels, Accralite pistons. BTH magnetos fully rebuilt this year. Dry sump lubrication. Twin GP3 Amal carburettors each with period twin SU float bowls running methanol. Original fitment mechanical fuel pump. Smiths chronometric rev-counter with tell-tale. Crankshaft adapted to take quick change JAP drive sprockets, circlip retained. Twin silencers. 

Transmission: Either Burman G45 4 speed or TTI h/d 4 speed sequential shift. Correct magnesium gear lever relocated within the bodywork. Norton 11 plate clutch with needle roller operated pressure plate. 48 T rear sprocket. 

Bodywork/ wheels: Unique 'droop snoot' aluminium slimline bodywork as fitted by Wally Cuff in period without panier tanks. Period lighweight drillings to wheels, rear hubs and some chassis bracings. Cooper 15" magnesuim wheels with integral brake drums. Dunlop CR82 135/620 & 120/590 tyres.

Spares: The sale includes original oil tank, exhaust pipes, built up clutch, various engine sprockets, the car's period engine plates, gearbox mount and brake master cylinders.