Cooper-Bristol

Formula 2 racing car
Cooper-Bristol T20 at Donington Park in 2007

The Cooper-Bristol, formally called the Cooper Mk.I or the Cooper T20, is a Formula 2 racing car, built, designed, and developed by British manufacturer Cooper Cars in 1952.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Development history and technology

With the T20 in 1952, Cooper not only interrupted the series of Formula 3 racing cars, but also built the first vehicle for Formula 2. The designation T was originally introduced by Cooper for the 500 cubic centimeter racing car. These racing cars ran in Formula 3 and Formula Junior.

Through this commitment, Cooper had a large customer base of drivers and their sponsors. Many of them wanted to enter the highest class of motorsport and expected a car from Cooper to do so. The answer was quickly found there and the T20 was developed. The T20 was based on the T15 and, like there, had the engine in a simple frame in front of the driver. The suspension and wheels were also taken over from the T15.

Racing history

The engine used was the 2-liter engine from Bristol, a six-cylinder, the basis of which was the engine from the BMW 328. The engine made about 130 hp. Therefore, the car had to be light and easy to handle in order to keep up with the Ferrari that dominated at the time. As expected, the car had no chance against the vehicles from Italy, but it did score the first points for Cooper in the Formula 1 World Championship by Alan Brown at the Swiss Grand Prix in 1952. Mike Hawthorn achieved his first success on a T20 and in Britain became a popular racing driver almost overnight.

References

  1. ^ "1952 Cooper T20 MKI". conceptcarz.com.
  2. ^ "1952 Cooper T40 - Bristol T20/T25 Mk1". www.classicdriver.com.
  3. ^ "1952 Cooper T20 Bristol Mk I - Images, Specifications and Information". Ultimatecarpage.com.
  4. ^ "1952 Cooper T20 Bristol Mk I Specifications". Ultimatecarpage.com.
  5. ^ "Cooper T20 Bristol – primotipo…". primotipo...
  6. ^ "Cooper T20 • STATS F1". www.statsf1.com.
  • v
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United Kingdom Cooper Car Company
Founders
Charles Cooper
John Cooper
Designers
Owen Maddock
Jack Brabham
Eddie Stait
Derrick White
World Champions
Australia Jack Brabham
Drivers' titles
1959
1960
Constructors' titles
1959
1960
Cars:
Formula One/Two
1000/1100
Cooper-Bristol
T23
T24
T41
T43
T44
T45
T51
T53
T55
T58
T60
T66
T71
T73
T75
T77
T80
T81
T82
T84
T86
T91
Tasman
T55
T62
T70
T79
Formula Three/Junior
500
Mk.II
Mk.III
Mk.IV
Mk.V
Mk.VIII
Mk.IX
Mk.X
T52
T56
T59
T63
T65/T67
T72
T76
T83
T85
Other
T54 (IndyCar)
T87 (hillclimb)
T88 (Formula C)
T90 (Formula 5000)
Sportscars
Mk.I
Cooper-MG
Cooper-Jaguar
Bobtail
Mini
T20
T25
T33
T38
T39
T49
T57
T61