HandyNZL 1 Report post Posted September 14, 2008 Well, we had the car out on track for the first meeting since we shipped her in from USA. Had some issues getting the engine going, but these were resolved a few weeks prior to the first race meeting. She sounds real nice, and has got some squirt, UNFORTUNATELY, Pop's missed a gear going into a righthander, clipped the curb and spun her 540-deg and double shunted into the armco on the outside of the corner damaging the suspension uprights on both righthand corners (tie rod bolt sheared on front right, wishbone buckled on front right, radiator and oil tank somewhat compressed, right rear suspension upright bottom wishbone stay broken off, and both wheels damaged). So looks like we're in for a few repairs before we get back out on track. But here's some before and after shots. Historic lovers may want to look away (the little cutie doing the modelling is my girl ) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tifosi too! 0 Report post Posted September 14, 2008 Never owned one or anything like it, but I sure feel your loss my friend... I hope you 'll be able to restore it fully! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jean Todt 4 Report post Posted September 14, 2008 whoops! Sorry for you mate, hope you fix it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikathegreat2 2 Report post Posted September 14, 2008 What car is it?? Looks like a Lotus 25 except in brighter green! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HandyNZL 1 Report post Posted September 14, 2008 it is a 1965 Cooper T76 Formula 3, 1094cc, 125 BHp, Ford Cosworth MAE engine. Was 20th and last T76 built, delivered in Sept 65. Original owner crashed it Dec 24, 1965 at Brands Hatch (i think, though Donnington also springs to mind from the depths of my memory - someone from UK will know the corner - Paddock Bend), and died from his injuries on Jan 4, '66. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Argento Reloaded 1 Report post Posted September 15, 2008 What a s###t! Hard work -lots of it- and it will be soon on track. Better lack the next. Lovely car Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DOF_power 0 Report post Posted September 15, 2008 I'm sorry about the car, but happy your Pop's alive. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HandyNZL 1 Report post Posted September 15, 2008 Well, he's had bowel cancer, two heart attacks, a quadruple bypass, multiple maeloma (bone marrow cancer), radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and he's still ticking. I think it will take more than a 540-spin and nurf to knock him off (but hope he doesn't try again in a hurry!) He's just upset he shunted, as anyone would be that has to pay to fix the car! Just harder to fix old cars than new, as it's not like you can pop down to the local dealership and get a spare panel or suspension upright. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikathegreat2 2 Report post Posted September 15, 2008 1 last question! What racing championship are you racing in or is it just for Goodwood? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HandyNZL 1 Report post Posted September 16, 2008 We're in New Zealand, mika. So most certainly not at Goodwood...lol. There is a local series, but it is just for fun where the points don't matter - kinda like "Whose line is it anyway?". The car is one of three T76 Coopers in NZ, out of only 20 ever built, so for a lil old colonial backwater, we might just have the highest concentration of T76's per capita...unless of course Ireland has 4.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
monza gorilla 1 Report post Posted September 16, 2008 Are you sure it wasn't your daughter driving? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikathegreat2 2 Report post Posted September 16, 2008 We're in New Zealand, mika. So most certainly not at Goodwood...lol. There is a local series, but it is just for fun where the points don't matter - kinda like "Whose line is it anyway?". The car is one of three T76 Coopers in NZ, out of only 20 ever built, so for a lil old colonial backwater, we might just have the highest concentration of T76's per capita...unless of course Ireland has 4.... I doubt we have any historical motorsport cars! Maybe try Britain where the ol' Coopers were built! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HandyNZL 1 Report post Posted September 17, 2008 Well some are in USA, there is one I know of in the Netherlands, 3 in NZ, and I think 1 in Aussie, so thats 5, maybe 6 outside of Britain , so 14 of 20 might be left there with a populace of 60mil to 14 cars = 4.285mil per car, vs NZ at 4mil to 3 cars = 1.34mil per car. So you could say we (NZ) are the capital of Cooper T76's, best rugby players in the world, and little cousin to the best sheep shaggers in the world....that would be the Aussies... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aussief1 4 Report post Posted September 17, 2008 Sorry to hear about about the crash Craig, but atleast your father is okay. The car, well it's a pity but it can be fixed. What track where you at? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HandyNZL 1 Report post Posted September 17, 2008 Pukekohe, nathan. next planned meeting was to be at the new track at hampton downs in january, so time to fix her. hardest things to fix are the suspension uprights - magnesium alloy castings are not known for their weldability! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Medilloni 6 Report post Posted September 17, 2008 Pukekohe, nathan. next planned meeting was to be at the new track at hampton downs in january, so time to fix her. hardest things to fix are the suspension uprights - magnesium alloy castings are not known for their weldability! Good luck with it Handy, you might find this site useful if you need parts: http://www.race-cars.com/ and as it says here, http://www.race-cars.com/carsold/cooper/12...204677641ss.htm you can still get the original parts (or at worst, drawings) from Serck for the radiators - if you can contact the guy in the article it sounds like he's got a few drawings that might help with the rebuild. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aussief1 4 Report post Posted September 17, 2008 Pukekohe, nathan. next planned meeting was to be at the new track at hampton downs in january, so time to fix her. hardest things to fix are the suspension uprights - magnesium alloy castings are not known for their weldability! Pukekohe, is a nice little track. All the best with the repairs, keep us updated with the progress. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HandyNZL 1 Report post Posted September 18, 2008 That one is in a much worse state than is implied in the advert. Dad actually looked into getting that one, but the guy that runs the Cooper Club in UK steered him away from it, but would be interesting to know who bought it, and what drawings they actually do have. The car that was selling it bought it as a wreck, rebuilt it, then wrecked worse again himself, then began rebuilding it, but apparantly the front end is a real mess and needs to go back on the jigs to make it right - but there is only one jig left in existence. And its in the UK. I said to Dad once it arrived here that I should measure it up, and make a set of jigs at my work for him, but he said it wouldn't be getting crashed....lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aussief1 4 Report post Posted September 18, 2008 That one is in a much worse state than is implied in the advert. Dad actually looked into getting that one, but the guy that runs the Cooper Club in UK steered him away from it, but would be interesting to know who bought it, and what drawings they actually do have.The car that was selling it bought it as a wreck, rebuilt it, then wrecked worse again himself, then began rebuilding it, but apparantly the front end is a real mess and needs to go back on the jigs to make it right - but there is only one jig left in existence. And its in the UK. I said to Dad once it arrived here that I should measure it up, and make a set of jigs at my work for him, but he said it wouldn't be getting crashed.... lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Argento Reloaded 1 Report post Posted September 18, 2008 Well some are in USA, there is one I know of in the Netherlands, 3 in NZ, and I think 1 in Aussie, so thats 5, maybe 6 outside of Britain , so 14 of 20 might be left there with a populace of 60mil to 14 cars = 4.285mil per car, vs NZ at 4mil to 3 cars = 1.34mil per car. So you could say we (NZ) are the capital of Cooper T76's, best rugby players in the world, and little cousin to the best sheep shaggers in the world....that would be the Aussies... Hey you at NZ, you must confirm your statement with titles! Perhaps a Rugby World Cup title won outside your backyard... Buy the way, Los Pumas 3rd... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HandyNZL 1 Report post Posted September 18, 2008 @ Argento thems fighting words me thinks (and one day Argentina might beat NZ...maybe.....not) @ Nathan - duh! indeed!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jem of the Shire 0 Report post Posted February 19, 2009 Well some are in USA, there is one I know of in the Netherlands, 3 in NZ, and I think 1 in Aussie, so thats 5, maybe 6 outside of Britain , so 14 of 20 might be left there with a populace of 60mil to 14 cars = 4.285mil per car, vs NZ at 4mil to 3 cars = 1.34mil per car. So you could say we (NZ) are the capital of Cooper T76's, best rugby players in the world, and little cousin to the best sheep shaggers in the world....that would be the Aussies... Also home to the most ridiculous accent in the world! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grabthaw the Hammerslayer 4 Report post Posted February 19, 2009 Also home to the most ridiculous accent in the world! My home town (Bristol) takes some beating on that one.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freaky2 1 Report post Posted February 19, 2009 Hahaha, I'm lucky that I'm very bad at distinguishing accents then Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jem of the Shire 0 Report post Posted February 20, 2009 My home town (Bristol) takes some beating on that one.... Hahaha, I'm lucky that I'm very bad at distinguishing accents then Wow 3 of us from Bristol here? Where abouts in Briz are you guys from? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites