Description:

William I'Anson Ltd are delighted to offer for sale The Ex – Joe Lubin, Bob Drake, Period Race Winning, 1956 Cooper T39 'Bobtail'.

Originally supplied new to Cooper’s U.S. West Coast agent, Joe Lubin, Mk9165 became one of the most successful and well documented small-capacity sports racing cars in California during the late 1950s. Raced by Bob Drake, one of the leading privateer drivers of the era, it competed against names such as Ken Miles, Richie Ginther, Pete Lovely, and Pedro Rodríguez. Drake’s well documented on track battles with Ken Miles would become a feature of the coming years.

Straight out of the box, Bob Drake took victory in his first race in the car at Palm Springs in 1956, up against the formidable Ex - works, Le Mans 24 hours Porsche 550RS and Maseratis to name a few. Period results went on to include multiple class wins and outright victories at Palm Springs, Pomona, Paramount Ranch, Santa Barbara, and Riverside.

Mk91655 remained with its original owner, Joe Lubin, for over half a century, remaining wonderfully original with such a clear traceable history. Following his ownership, it passed to HGPCA racer Scotty Taylor, who had Hoole Racing fully restore the car. Still utilising it’s original chassis and bodywork he had a fresh Coventry Climax FWB engine fitted, and the ERSA transaxle rebuilt by Hoole Racing.

The car’s most recent custodian has spare no expense in its preparation with 50s Sportscar specialists, Classic Auto’s. Still sympathetically retaining its all important originality, the engine was rebuilt in 2024 by Classic Autos and the original gearbox was rebuilt built by Crosthwaite & Gardiner also mated to a new ‘old stock’ original bell housing. Over £85,000 has been invested since 2023, in the race preparation and running of the car by Nick Finburgh and his team at Classic Autos.

The current owner has raced Mk91655 at the last three Goodwood Revivals as well as at Le Mans Classic. He also received an entry to the Monaco Grand Prix Historique. As it stands today the engine and gearbox only have one Le Mans Classic and one Goodwood Revival on them since their last rebuild.

Accompanied by FIA HTP papers valid until 2030, Mk91655 offers an exciting and competitive entry into some of the most prestigious historic motor racing events including the Goodwood Revival, Le Mans Classic, Monaco Grand Prix Historique, MRL’s Woodcote & Stirling Moss Trophies, and the Monterey Rolex Reunion over in the US. It’s proven pace, impeccable provenance, and period race-winning history makes it one of the most desirable Cooper Bobtails of all time.

For more information on this iconic and competitive little Cooper Bobtail then please enquire, or visit our website. 

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