1962 Cooper T61 'Monaco'

1962 Cooper T61 'Monaco'
Chassis no. CM/2/62
3,528cc OHV Aluminum V8 Engine
Four Weber Twin-Choke Carburetors
250+bhp (Est.)
4-Speed Manual Gearbox and McKee Rear Transaxle
Independent Front Suspension with Wishbones, Coil Springs and Anti-Roll Bar
Independent Rear Suspension with Wishbones and Coil Springs
4-Wheel Hydraulic Disc Brakes

*Driven to numerous SCCA victories by Bill Sturgis during 1962-63
*Driven by Graham Hill at two West Coast Pro Series races in 1962
*Totally rebuilt 2011-2011 by former owner, racer David Springett
*Recognized and accepted by the Cooper Car Club
*Offered from a private collection of postwar racing icons

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

Famous for perfecting the mid-engine chassis layout during the 1950s, Cooper's T61 sports-racer was introduced in November 1958, named 'Monaco' in honor of Maurice Trignitant's victory for Cooper there. Featuring sleek bodywork and utilizing the gearbox and suspension of the 1958 Grand Prix cars, the T61 almost immediately chalked up an enviable victory tally in the hands of the era's top drivers including Roy Salvadori, Jim Russell, Jack Brabham and Stirling Moss. When FIA regulations for 1961 shifted focus to GT cars, Cooper Monacos were shipped to the United States to compete in the forerunner of FIA Group 7 Can-Am racing.

Originally imported by Von Housen Motors of Sacramento, California in 1962, CM/2/62 was equipped with the up-to-date coil-spring independent rear suspension configuration – the preferred set-up in vintage racing circles then and now. According to Cooper chassis registers quoted by Doug Nye in his definitive book "Cooper Cars," first published in 1987, CM/2/62 was delivered from England with Coventry Climax 4-cylinder engine serial FPF/430/17/1236. It also featured the bold rear stabilizing fins specific to Monacos destined for the American market. It was successfully raced in SCCA competition by William Sturgis of Gardnerville, Nevada during the 1962 and 1963 racing seasons. Beginning with 1st overall at the July 7, 1962 SCCA Salt Lake Divisional, Sturgis and CM/2/62 placed 2nd overall the next week at the Oakland SCCA Regional, behind Billy Krause driving a 'Birdcage' Maserati. On October 10, 1962, the Monaco was entered by Sturgis into the 200-mile Los Angeles Times Grand Prix at Riverside for eventual Formula 1 and Indianapolis '500' champion driver Graham Hill, who qualified 9th but did not finish due to brake issues. Hill would again drive the Monaco for Sturgis the next week in the Pacific Grand Prix at Laguna Seca, qualifying 7th but retiring in the first heat with gearbox issues.

Sturgis drove the car and competed extensively through the 1963 season, finishing 1st Overall at Riverside on February 3 and placing 2nd Overall and 1st in D/Modified on March 31 at the Tucson SCCA Divisional. Next, Sturgis was the 5th fastest qualifier but unable to start at the June 9, 1963 USRRC races at Laguna Seca, followed by a DNF due to ignition problems on June 23 at Riverside but finding redemption with victory at the August 23 SCCA Divisional in Newport. In Sturgis' last race outing with CM/2/62, he took the D/Modified win at the SCCA Divisional races at San Francisco's Candlestick Park. On August 9, 1963 and November 15, 1963, CM/2/62 was listed as 1st in the Pacific Coast Class D-Modified points standings.

In 1964, the Cooper was acquired by Washburn Motors of Santa Barbara, California, where a 327-cid Chevrolet V-8 engine and Halibrand-McKee four-speed gearbox were fitted. Noted mechanic Tony Settember performed the conversion, but the car was never raced, as Washburn soon switched attention to racing Camaros in SCCA Trans-Am. The Monaco was sold to George Lehman of Goleta, California in 1969, complete but not running. Lehman determined the old Cooper frame was unsafe, so he built a Group 7 aluminum monocoque tub. The car was completed, but his money ran out, so it was dismantled and stored for the next 28 years. According to a conversation conducted prior to the Monaco's last sale offering in 2011, Scott Vilander, Lehman's son-in-law related, "The purpose was to enter Cal Club Regional and National ASR 'open' class competitions (but) George took the car apart, stored the frame, body and components in 1972 and never raced it. He moved to a new home in 1973 and the Cooper was split up. The main chassis and body was lost in the move. However, the remainder of the car was kept in storage in our home until 1999..."

On February 1, 2000, the remains of the Monaco were sold to racer David Springett by Lehman's widow, together with original documentation from Washburn Chevrolet. Racer David Springett bought the Cooper Monaco from George Lehman's family in 2000 and rebuilt the car over the next 11 years. As offered, the Monaco is powered by a rebuilt period style Buick aluminum V-8 and equipped with a Halibrand magnesium transmission and Hurst Airheart twin-pot alloy brakes. Acquired by the Consignor in 2012, CM/2/62 has been properly stored and maintained. As offered, it is in sound running order and delivers a sensory overload with its striking alloy bodywork, aggressive tail fins and unbridled open exhaust note. Carrying excellent and confirmed racing history in the hands of Bill Sturgis and Graham Hill, this glorious Cooper sports-racer will provide an outstanding potential entry into a host of desirable vintage-racing events, where it will surely create a sensation.