Cooper-Bristol T23 MkII

The Cooper T23, or Cooper-Bristol Mk II, was built for the 1953 Formula 2 season. Owen Maddock drew it as a development of the T20, with a lighter tubular spaceframe and 11-inch Alfin alloy brake drums to fix the earlier car's weak stoppers. It also started in a handful of Formula One Grands Prix, in the hands of drivers such as Ken Wharton and Bob Gerard.

This example raced extensively in Australia before coming to the UK. Hawker Racing then carried out a full mechanical rebuild. The 1,971cc Bristol straight-six was rebuilt by Classic Autos of Kings Langley with Arrow steel crank and rods and Cosworth pistons, then fitted with a Hawker race camshaft. It made 144 bhp at 6,000 rpm on the dyno.

Other work includes new Alfin drums, bearings and bushes, a reconditioned steering rack, rebuilt driveshafts, a new oil cooler and clutch. The car has been repainted and not raced since the work was finished. Invoices document the work, new HTP papers come with it, and it is eligible for HGPCA and VSCC events. The price is on request.