For Sale: 1959 Cooper-Climax Monaco T-49 MK I
Images: Bonhams
The second of just eight Mark I Cooper-Climax Monacos, this lovely little machine was owned by Finnish legend Kurt Lincoln as well Jack Brabham, and has an impressive racing history behind it. It’s heading to auction at Bonhams’ Quail Lodge Auction this August.
Paradoxically, CM-1-59 is the second example of the Cooper-Climax Monaco, even though it was completed first! An earlier prototype car, CM-2-59, was only finished a month after CM-1-59 in Febuary of 1959, so while it was the first of the two cars to start its development, it picked up chassis #2.
CM-1-59 was delivered new to Kurt Lincoln of Helsinki, Finland. Lincoln was Finland’s leading racing driver at the time and raced the car extensively in Scandinavia and Europe. He eventually sold it to Jack Brewer in New York, who raced it consistently before its retirement from period competition and eventual sale.
During this period the car came close to receiving a Detroit V8 in place of its original Coventry Climax four-cylinder racing motor. While its known that the conversion was attempted, there’s nothing to suggest that it was successfully completed.
From here the car would be owned by Harry Blanchard, the great Sir Jack Brabham, J.R. Sharp, Jim Hall and Don Orosco before finally settling with Dave Springett in 1984. Springett commissioned a full restoration, upon completion of which he raced at Riverside, the Monterey Historics and the Wine Country Classic.
CM-1-59 then entered a static display in the Towe Auto Museum in Sacramento before being sold to its current owner by Bonhams at the Quail Resort & Golf Club in Carmel in 2007.
In great condition, all that’s required to get it rockin’ historics again is the usual service and preparation. It’s sure to be welcome at historic events around the world.
This lovely little sports racer will head to auction on August the 14th, 2015, at Bonhams’ Quail Lodge Auctions. Head to their official website here for more information.
Images via Bonhams
