Cooper Cars by Doug Nye
No stone was left unturned in researching this book. This incredibly comprehensive work includes many items from John Cooper's personal records and photo albums, the company's chassis books, as well as 300-plus black-and-white photos and 16 color images. Further unique archival material comes from many of those involved in building the cars and the cars' subsequent owners. Unquestionably regarded as the benchmark work on Cooper, the cars so significant in the development of postwar racing car design.
This would have to be considered the definite work on the history of Cooper, as a constructor and also as a race team. It is a very sizable book and while it is well illustrated it also is quite detailed. Definitely not a coffee table book. Cooper Cars (the constructor) started off after world war 2 in a minor 500cc formula by welding together the wrecked rear ends of two Fiats, fabricating the bodywork and ended up with a superbly fast race car. From a small garage operation, Cooper expanded and by the late fifties was a major player in Formula 1 racing and also branched out into sports car and rallying. After the death of founder and owner Charles Cooper in 1964, son John struggled to manage the factory and the works team but eventually sold the business. In less than two decades Cooper had gone from a corner garage to one of the most revered marques in auto racing.

The author, Doug Nye, is one of the best automotive writers and this is one of his best works. The book touches upon the people and events, but also delves substantially into the design and construction of the cars. The photographs are excellent, including many candid shots of obscure but interesting events. The book not only deals in great depth with the Grand Prix and lesser formula race cars but also thoroughly explores Cooper's other efforts, including several sports cars, some of which developed into successful race entries. Nye also relates the story of Cooper's entry into top rung of American motorsports, the Indy 500. Additionally there is a chapter devoted to Cooper's association with the British Motor Corporation's Mini, which turned a small economy sedan into an iconic symbol known all over the world.
Nye's writing style is informal and he obviously enjoys relating the small personal anecdotes he gathered over dozens of interviews. At times the relating of the events of each racing season become somewhat laborious, but Nye's intend is to give a thorough history of Cooper and so he includes all of the details of things Cooper.
Most heartily recommended for those with an interest in motor racing. Other may find the book a bit too challenging, but perhaps might be worth giving a try.
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover with dust ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0760317097
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0760317099
Item weight ‏ : ‎ 2 kg
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 20.32 x 3.18 x 25.4 cm
Out of print
As new condition
Etransfer? will ship!
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