1961 Cooper Climax T54 'Kimberly Cooper Special'
- Engine
- 2.7L experimental Coventry-Climax inline engine, ~258 bhp (race specification)
The 1961 Cooper-Climax T54, known as the Kimberly Cooper Special, is the car widely credited with initiating the rear-engine revolution at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Built in just four months by Cooper, it was driven by Jack Brabham to a ninth-place finish in the 1961 Indy 500, demonstrating that a small-displacement, rear-engined British car could compete with larger American machinery. After subsequent ownership changes, a period as a modified sprint car, and a meticulous two-year restoration completed around 1992, the T54 has appeared at Goodwood, Monterey, and Pebble Beach.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$280,000
- 1961 → 1962Factory deliveryJim Kimberlypartial documentation
Wealthy Kleenex heir and motorsport patron who sponsored construction of the T54 for the 1961 Indy 500 via Dr. Frank Faulkner's connections.
- 1962 →Private saleKjell Qvalepartial documentation
Had a Works Aston Martin six-cylinder unit fitted by mechanic Joe Huffaker and engaged Pedro Rodriguez to drive it at the 1963 Indy 500, where it failed to qualify.
- → 1977Unknown Pacific Northwest sprint car operatornone documentation
Car was converted to Chevrolet power and campaigned as a sprint car in the Pacific Northwest; many original components survived and were captured in pre-restoration photographs.
- 1990 →Acquisition unknownRestoring owner circa 1990partial documentation
Located surviving original parts including the period Climax engine, then undertook a careful two-year restoration back to the car's original 1961 configuration, completed around 1992.
Competition
- 1961Indianapolis 5001961 Indianapolis 500Driver: Jack Brabham9th overall, completed all 200 laps
Qualified 13th; ran as high as 3rd place despite three pit stops for tire wear; the smaller rear-engine car was outpaced on straights but handled superbly through corners.
- 1963Indianapolis 5001963 Indianapolis 500Driver: Pedro RodriguezDid not qualify — bumped on final qualifying day
By this time the car was owned by Kjell Qvale and fitted with a Works Aston Martin six-cylinder engine; the unit failed to meet performance expectations.
- 1991Monterey Historic RacesWon Phil Hill Trophy on debut
Car appeared at this event multiple times from 1991 through 2006 following its two-year restoration; Sir Jack Brabham participated in some of these outings.
- 1994Goodwood Festival of Speed
First of five appearances at this event spanning 1994 to 2011; Sir Jack Brabham reportedly drove the car at some of these occasions.
- 20102010 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Car was exhibited at Pebble Beach in 2010 among several other events during its post-restoration life.
- 2011Goodwood Festival of Speed
Final recorded appearance in the five-event run at Goodwood between 1994 and 2011.
- —Monterey Historic Races
Multiple appearances between 1992 and 2006 in addition to the 1991 debut.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1962ModificationJoe Huffaker
Original Coventry-Climax engine removed and replaced with a Works Aston Martin six-cylinder unit; work carried out by mechanic Joe Huffaker on behalf of new owner Kjell Qvale.
The substituted engine did not meet performance expectations and the car failed to make the 1963 Indy field.
- 1990Repair
Surviving original components, including the Coventry-Climax Indy engine, were located and repaired in preparation for full restoration.
- 1992Restoration
Car was fully restored over approximately two years to its original 1961 Kimberly Cooper Special specification, using the recovered original parts.
Restoration completed by around 1992, in time for the car's debut at the 1991–1992 Monterey Historic Races season.
- —Modification
Car was converted into a Chevrolet-powered sprint car configuration and raced in the Pacific Northwest through 1977; many original components were retained with the car during this period.
Photographs taken prior to restoration document the surviving original parts present at this stage.
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