1959 Beart Cooper-Climax Type 45/51 Formula 2 Racing Single-Seater FIA HTP

This important and beautifully presented Cooper-Climax represents a fascinating chapter in British motor racing history and is widely known as the celebrated "Beart-Cooper", a nickname earned during its formative competition years.

In October 1977, Duncan Rabagliati, co-founder of The Formula 1 Register, confirmed the car’s identity and competition history, recording it as the Formula 2 Cooper driven in 1959 by rising Yorkshire star, Trevor Taylor, before passing into the ownership of C.T.‘Tommy’ Atkins in 1960 and campaigned by Roy Salvadori. In 1961, under Atkins’ ownership, it was driven by George Morgan during the early 1½-litre Formula 1 era, before later passing to Graham White in 1964.

In period, Trevor Taylor was one of Britain’s most promising young drivers, progressing rapidly from 500cc Formula 3. His father ran the Ace Garage in Rotherham, with engines prepared by legendary Norton tuner Francis Beart, who modified this Cooper-Climax for Formula 2 competition in 1959. Taylor debuted the car at the Lavant Cup at Goodwood on Easter Monday 1959 and went on to contest major events including the British Empire Trophy at Oulton Park and the London Trophy at Crystal Palace, finishing sixth.

Further success followed in 1960 when chassis #F2-5-59, piloted by Roy Salvadori, secured third places at Oulton Park and Goodwood’s Lavant Cup, competed at Aintree, and ultimately won a Formula 2 event at Oulton Park on 7th May 1960. With the introduction of 1½-litre Formula 1 regulations in 1961, the car remained competitive, appearing at Snetterton, Goodwood, and Aintree, before being side-lined following an accident.

The car is accompanied by FIA HTP papers valid until 31st December 2028, ensuring continued eligibility for the world’s leading historic racing events. The file includes numerous invoices for historic paperwork, as well as records from Michael Hibberd Motor Engineers Ltd., who have run, prepared, and maintained the car in excellent order. The desirable ‘Wide Monaco’ Nose is included in the sale.

In more recent years, the car has formed part of a respected private Collection and has been actively campaigned at the Goodwood Revival and other leading historic events across Europe. Maintained by acknowledged Cooper specialist Michael Hibberd, it represents a rare opportunity to acquire a properly documented, period-significant Cooper-Climax with eligibility for many of the world’s most prestigious historic race meetings.