1950 Cooper 500 Mk4 - Sir Stirling Moss Provenance

Highlights

• Ex-Bill Needham car with extensive European racing provenance
• Sympathetically restored to original specification by the current owners
• Competed in the Earl of March Trophy at the Goodwood Revival (1998–2001)
• Extensive spares package including a rebuilt zero-hours 4B JAP engine, trailer, and pit starter
• Cockpit cover signed by Sir Stirling Moss

The Appeal

The Cooper 500 was the car that helped define post-war British motorsport. The 500cc Formula 3 class served as the crucible for a generation of racing talent, and Cooper's rear-engined machines were at the very forefront. This 1950 Mk4 (T12), chassis number 1000/14, is an ex-Bill Needham car that was campaigned extensively across some of Europe's most celebrated circuits, including the Nürburgring, Spa, Zandvoort, Montlhéry, Pau, and Monza, as well as numerous UK circuits and hillclimb venues.

The current owners have carried out a sympathetic restoration to original specification, as near as can be ascertained. The car is fitted with a Bill Needham-built 4B JAP engine running on an Amal Type 27 carburettor, having covered few genuine running hours since rebuild. The vendor states that the car's condition is in fine fettle throughout.

Its more recent competition history includes participation in the Earl of March Trophy at the Goodwood Revival from 1998 to 2001, and it was selected for static display at the 2011 Revival alongside other prominent 500cc cars — an occasion on which Sir Stirling Moss sat in the car and signed the cockpit cover. The car's history is documented in Duncan Rabagliati's respected book, Historic 500cc Formula 3 1970–2011.

Accompanying the car is a substantial spares package, a two-wheel trailer, and a Honda pit starter, making this a ready-to-campaign proposition for historic racing or a notable addition to any serious collection.

Key Information

• Mileage: n/a
• Country of registration: Not road registered
• Technical inspection status: exempt
• Technical specs: 500cc single-cylinder 4B JAP engine, four-speed manual gearbox
• Paperwork: FIA Historic Vehicle Identity Forms, 750 MC Vehicle Identity Registration Forms, 500 Owners Association Vehicle Identity Forms, and an extensive history file with competition photographs

The vendor adds:

"It appears that the car was submitted to the FIA for a very comprehensive inspection of every element of the car to verify the authenticity of all parts, chassis, suspension, engine, gearbox, bodywork, etc., and that it complied with everything before they would issue the Historic Vehicle Identity Certificate. It appears that it was a one-off inspection and once confirmed lasts indefinitely.
This also appears to be the same for the 500 Owners Association Vehicle Identity Certificate and the 750 Motor Club Identity Registration Certificate to enable the car to compete in the various Historic Championships. The Cooper also has an MSA Competition “Log Book” to allow it to compete in those categories."

The Detail

• Sympathetically restored by the current owners to original specification, as near as can be ascertained
• Includes a rebuilt zero-hours 4B JAP engine as a spare
• Spare set of magnesium wheels included (two fitted with tyres, though the vendor notes the tyres are not in good condition)
• Spare clutch, clutch plates, gearbox, and duplex oil pump included
• Stands, quick-lift jack, and various other spares included
• Two-wheel trailer included
• Honda pit starter included
• Cockpit cover bears the signature of Sir Stirling Moss
• Documented in Duncan Rabagliati's Historic 500cc Formula 3 1970–2011

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