Cooper Climax T43

1957 Cooper Climax T43‍
Chassis Number: F2-20-57
Engine: Original 1,500cc Coventry Climax FPF (matching numbers)
Body: Original hand-formed aluminium and tubular chassis.
Brakes: Original magnesium drum brakes
Suspension: Original transverse leaf spring‍

The Cooper Climax T43 represents a groundbreaking era in international motorsport. As the first mid-engined car to win a Formula One World Championship Grand Prix, it signaled the beginning of a new design philosophy that would dominate racing for decades.‍ Chassis F2-20-57 was first sold new to British racing driver Dick Gibson in 1957. Between 1957 and 1960, the car was actively campaigned in Formula events across Europe, including races at Silverstone, the Nürburgring, the Coupe de Vitesse in France, and other circuits.‍
In 1959, Jimmy Shield, in conjunction with the Rhodesian Motorsport Union, travelled to the UK to meet Gibson with the intention of joining his racing team. After Gibson finalised bringing Jimmy Shield on board, plans were made to ship the Cooper T43 to Southern Africa, marking the beginning of the car’s distinguished racing career on the continent., where it competed in premier events including the South African Grand Prix at Kyalami, races at Roy Hesketh, events in Mozambique, and notably the first Rhodesian Grand Prix in the early 1960s.‍By 1962/1963, newer and more advanced models had made the T43 less competitive. Gibson sold the car to Jimmy Shield, who continued racing newer machinery for Gibson while preserving the original Cooper Climax in its period specification.‍
The car was later sold to a prominent Rhodesian family, the Glasby from Bulawayo, who stored it in a shed where it remained untouched until the 1980s. It was then acquired by Mr Baker in George, Western Cape, who kept the car in his garage, still unrestored, until the late 1990s. At that time, it was sold to noted collector Mr Green.‍ In the early 2000s, Mr Green embarked on a meticulous 10–12 year restoration, returning the car to its original ... glory. Remarkably, the Cooper was raced again for the first time in over four decades at the prestigious Simola Hillclimb in Knysna, South Africa—a fitting revival for such a historically significant machine.‍
During its racing heyday in Rhodesia, Dick Gibson acquired a spare engine from the Rob Walker Racing Team, which famously fielded cars for Sir Stirling Moss, which will be sold with the vehicle.

The vehicle comes with many spares, including a rare set of original twin SU DU6, double choked carburettors with correct inlet and linkages, as well as two original magnetos.‍ Many Cooper Climax cars from this era were continuously raced, upgraded, and modified over time—engines were replaced, brakes and suspension upgraded—leading to very few surviving in original configuration.‍ This car is a notable exception. Having ceased racing in the early-1960s and spending decades in careful storage, Chassis F2-20-57 retains its original 1500cc engine, aluminium bodywork, magnesium drum brakes, and suspension, making it one of the most original and complete Cooper Climax T43s left in existence.‍ Today, this historically significant vehicle is offered for sale in fully restored condition—a rare opportunity to own a cornerstone of Formula racing and Southern African motorsport history.‍

We have an excellent video of the vehicle in action on the track, which can be shared with any serious buyer upon request.

The car is completely original, original aluminium panels, original engine from factory, only the carbs are not original, however in sale are the original carbs and linkage supplied.

Eligible for: Historics, Goodwood Revival, Monaco Historics Grand prix, FIA historics.. plus more

Spares included:
Original carbs and likages, spare block (linked to the Brabham team) a distributor and a few loose engine bits.

The vehicle is located in Johannesburg, South Africa, however shipping can be arranged for any international client.

Show less

Read full description