1960 Cooper-BMC T52

1960 Cooper T52 Formula Junior – Chassis FJ/27/60

Ex-Works Car with John Surtees Provenance

This is a rare opportunity to acquire one of the most significant and best-documented Cooper T52 Formula Junior cars, chassis FJ/27/60 – a confirmed ex-Works car (Ken Tyrrel Racing Team) with superb provenance, period and recent competition history, and continuous development and maintenance by respected specialists.

Recognised as the chassis that gave John Surtees his four-wheeled racing debut in March 1960, this T52 holds a special place in British motorsport history. Surtees drove the car as part of the Cooper Works Team, run by Ken Tyrrell, during his transition from multiple World Champion on two wheels to eventual Formula 1 World Champion on four. The car was chosen by Goodwood to lead the Surtees tribute parade at the 2010 Revival, and again in 2017 when it completed a commemorative lap in his honour. It returned once more for the John Surtees Celebration at the 2024 Goodwood Revival.

Chassis FJ/27/60 was brought back to the UK from the private collection of American collector Howard Banaszak in 2007. As was common for Works cars of the period, it did not originally carry a chassis number – the Cooper Car Club subsequently assigned it FJ/27/1960. It has since been extensively raced throughout the UK and Europe, including appearances at Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Goodwood, Monza and Spa, with numerous class wins and regular eligibility for prestigious events including the Lurani Trophy. Notably, it has often been the only Cooper T52 campaigned regularly in Europe, and remains a familiar and welcome entry at the Goodwood Revival and Members’ Meetings.

Mechanically, the car is in excellent order. It benefits from a major engine rebuild in 2024, producing 108bhp, with just two race hours since. The ERSA gearbox – a known weak point on these cars – was also fully overhauled in 2024. Additional upgrades include a renewed cooling system, modern fuel tank, rewired electrics, detachable steering wheel (original retained), and a tuned exhaust system. The car sits on tyres fitted in 2022 and is sold in race-ready condition. It last competed at the 2023 Silverstone Finals and was prepared for its Goodwood Revival appearance in 2024.

The car is accompanied by a current FIA Historic Technical Passport (HTP #GB7283) valid until 31 December 2026, and remains eligible for all Class C2 Formula Junior events, both in the UK and abroad. Its eligibility and historical significance make it a likely invitee to future high-profile events, including Goodwood and Monaco.

The car has been maintained for the past twelve years by Guy Sheppard of Rawlson Racing, with earlier support from Mark Green’s Motor Racing Medics in Redhill, Surrey. It has always been kept in top mechanical condition and is “on the button.”

Offered only due to the current owner’s decision to focus on racing their Cooper T56, this T52 represents an unrepeatable chance to acquire a genuine Works Cooper with impeccable provenance that is meticulously maintained and on the button.