John Cooper (car maker) facts for kids

John Newton Cooper (born July 17, 1923 – died December 24, 2000) was a very important person in car racing. He started the Cooper Car Company with his father, Charles Cooper. John Cooper became famous for designing racing cars with the engine at the back. This new design completely changed top-level car racing, like Formula One and the Indianapolis 500. He was born in Surbiton, England.

Starting the Cooper Car Company

John's father, Charles Cooper, owned a small garage in Surbiton. This garage focused on fixing and taking care of racing cars. John left school when he was 15 years old. He became an apprentice, learning how to make tools. During World War II, he worked in the Royal Air Force making instruments.

After the war, John and his father started building simple racing cars. These cars had only one seat and were not expensive. They often used parts from old military equipment. Their cars were very successful and many people wanted them. So, in 1948, they officially started their own business, the Cooper Car Company.

Why the Engine Went in the Back

The idea to put the engine at the back of their racing cars was quite simple. John Cooper always said it was just easier that way. The first rear-engined Cooper racing car was designed by Owen Maddock.

Because the car used a motorcycle engine, they put it in the back. This allowed the engine to drive a chain. John Cooper explained, "We certainly had no feeling that we were creating some scientific breakthrough! We put the engine at the rear because it was the practical thing to do."

John Cooper's Racing and Success

At first, John Cooper often raced the cars he built himself. But as his company grew bigger, he had less time to compete. Even so, he found time to set several speed records. This happened at Montlhéry in France at the end of 1953.

In the early 1950s, many young British racing drivers started their careers in a Cooper car. Famous drivers like Jack Brabham, Stirling Moss, Maurice Trintignant, and Bruce McLaren drove Cooper's Formula One cars. Over nine years, the Cooper team won 16 Grand Prix races. Jack Brabham and the team won the World Championships in both 1959 and 1960.

Changing the Indianapolis 500 Race

In 1959, John Cooper was in Sebring, Florida, for the United States Grand Prix. There, he met American driver Rodger Ward. Ward was a champion and had won the Indianapolis 500 race. Ward was amazed at how well Cooper's small cars could turn corners on the road course.

Ward told Cooper, "You've got to try out your car around the Oval. Indy's waiting for you!" So, in 1960, Cooper brought one of his Formula One cars to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Other drivers and car makers were curious but also a bit amused.

When Jack Brabham, who was new to Indy, started his warm-up laps, he didn't know he should build up speed slowly. His second lap was very fast, 144.8 miles per hour! This speed would have put him on the third row of the starting grid in the previous race. Ward was so excited that Cooper let him drive the car too. After this, everyone at Indianapolis realized that their old front-engined cars were outdated. Within a few years, John Cooper's new design had completely changed open-wheeled racing.

The Famous Mini Cooper

John Cooper also helped develop the British Motor Corporation Mini. This car became known as the Mini Cooper. It was loved by both rally racers and everyday drivers.

Before John Cooper passed away, the Cooper name was licensed to BMW. This meant BMW could use the Cooper name for their higher-performance versions of the new MINI cars. John and his son, Mike Cooper, even advised BMW and Rover's team on the new MINI design.

John Cooper's Legacy

John Cooper was the last surviving team boss from the early days of Formula One racing. He often said later in life that racing was not as fun as it used to be. He played a big part in making Britain a leader in motorsport technology, which continues today.

He received the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his important contributions to British motorsport. He continued to lead his family's garage business in West Sussex until he died in 2000 at age 77.

See also

• John Cooper Works