1951 Cooper 500

Ecurie Richmond was the most successful team during the 1951 F3 season.  The Two Cooper Mark V’s run by the team were always impeccably presented, having the benefit of two skilled mechanics (Michael 'Ginger' Devlin and Freddy Sirkett). They introduced a weight saving polished bodywork helping Ecurie Richmond set the standard for the field. The two drivers were distinguish by individual coloured accent livery’s: Eric Brandon had red Wheels, seat and front end markings, Alan Brown had the same but in blue. 

 

The Cooper MKV we offer for sale today was driven in period by the late Alan Brown who went on to race in F1 with Vanwall and BRM and comes complete with the original blue livery. 

 

This car (chassis MKV/7/51) achieved many period successes at the hands of Brown. He came first in the 1951 Luxemburg Grand Prix also winning international races at Draguignan and Grenzlandring. At home, Brown scored victories at Boreham and Silverstone (the first 100 mile race) as well as taking numerous top three places. Brown sold the Cooper at the end of 1951 season, to an unknown person who modified the car substantially. The car reappeared in the early part of 1970, complete with a Reliant engine and shortened wheelbase. The single-seater enjoyed a second career as a midget speedway racer driven by D.S. Ambrose. 

 

 

Arthur Curnowm (the Brixham Lifeboat Coxswain) acquired the car during the 1970’s and returned the car to its full Mark V wheelbase. In February 1982, ownership transferred to  Pete Wright who treated it to an extensive restoration, including a conversion to JAP power (it would have originally carried a Norton unit), and the car appeared at various hillclimbs (the Goodwood Festival of Speed among them) until 1998 when it was entered for the first Goodwood Revival meeting driven by Les Leston’s son Nick. Since then, it has participated in two more Revivals, as well as being invited to the Louis Vuitton Classic in 2002 and the 2004 Aintree Festival of Motorsport. 

 

Our Vendor purchased MKV/7/51 in 2022 from Adrian Van der Kroft (AV-K) who competed both in the UK and Europe. The car comes with an extensive history file, the last piece of significant work was completed in 2014 by Pace Products for AV-K this included an engine rebuild. 

 

MKV/7/51 is reluctantly offered from our Belgium client’s collection, as he has never had the spare time to enjoy this significantly important race wining 500.

 

I would like to thank the 500 Association for their input on this wording, the car carries 500 OA registration plate 065, accompanied with a 500 Association Vehicle Identity Form (VIF) MKV/7/51, would look splendid on the grid of the Earl of March trophy! 

 
EU taxes paid 5%VAT payable if remaining in UK