Cooper MKX
CAR: 1956 Cooper MKX MKX 09 56
MOTOR: Norton Manx 500cc
FUEL: Alcohol
TRANSMISSION: AJS 7R Magnesium
CAR: 1956 Cooper MKX MKX 09 56
MOTOR: Norton Manx 500cc
FUEL: Alcohol
TRANSMISSION: AJS 7R Magnesium
HISTORY
Mystery Years 1956-1958
We are currently investigating the cars history for this time frame and attempting to reconnect with Jack Newton's family. The car has many unique features. The car had a works long stroke bottom end short stroke top end Francis Beart built motor. The cars seat is very low and light weight. the tank was lowered and the front has more caster that standard. Prior owners could have been Ivor Bueb, John Brown, or Dick Hett.
We are currently investigating the cars history for this time frame and attempting to reconnect with Jack Newton's family. The car has many unique features. The car had a works long stroke bottom end short stroke top end Francis Beart built motor. The cars seat is very low and light weight. the tank was lowered and the front has more caster that standard. Prior owners could have been Ivor Bueb, John Brown, or Dick Hett.
The Jack(AJC)Newton Period 1958-1961
Jack (AJC) Newton was the second owner of serial number 8. Here is Jack (AJC) Newton at Brands Hatch. Jack was sixth in the point British Racing & Sports Car Club Championship in 1959 but was well known for running number 21 in the BRSCC. Jack was extremely tall for a Formula III driver 6'4" or so, so the seat was lowered in the car. Jack raced mainly at Brands Hatch.
Jack (AJC) Newton was the second owner of serial number 8. Here is Jack (AJC) Newton at Brands Hatch. Jack was sixth in the point British Racing & Sports Car Club Championship in 1959 but was well known for running number 21 in the BRSCC. Jack was extremely tall for a Formula III driver 6'4" or so, so the seat was lowered in the car. Jack raced mainly at Brands Hatch.
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Images from Brands Hatch
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Images of the car prior to shipping to the US
This images shows the race damaged nose from landing on the hedge at Brands Hatch. These are the images that Bob was sent when he was purchasing the car from Jack. |
Bob Wenz Copper 500 1961-1986
We are Fortunate to live close enough to Bob that he has been able to come by and confirm every detail of the car. He has confirmed that other than some touch up painting it is exactly as he drove the car. He even gave us some spares he still had for the car.
Bob was a very successful racer on the west coast. He is one of the original Low Flyers from Santa Monica. He was a pioneering hot rodder and dry lakes racer. While an amateur racer he raced cars for himself and other including Bunny Ribbs. Bob owned Cooper Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3, and Formula Juniors. Bob owned Cooper mkV, Cooper- Special, two mkX (one he race other he sold), type 43,Type 56,type 76,etc..
Bob is a founding member of the Formula Racing Association which was started by Harry Morrow. He is member number seven. Bob decided to build his own formula III car after his friend Phil Hill came back from Europe and told Bob about the cars. His own 500cc Formula car the Wenz Ariel Special was based on Fiat Topolino components. It only had an 80" wheel base and a very impressive iron cylinder speedway based Ariel motor Bob says it was scary and eventually cut the car in half. This was the first 500 believed to have been built in the US and it was raced at Pebble Beach, Torrey Pines etc... Next Bob bought his first Cooper a mkV. He then purchased a (Cooper Copy) Special in the UK which he tested it at Brands Hatch before importing it to race. Bob imported quite a few FIII cars along the way.In 1960 Bob purchased this Cooper mk X.
We are Fortunate to live close enough to Bob that he has been able to come by and confirm every detail of the car. He has confirmed that other than some touch up painting it is exactly as he drove the car. He even gave us some spares he still had for the car.
Bob was a very successful racer on the west coast. He is one of the original Low Flyers from Santa Monica. He was a pioneering hot rodder and dry lakes racer. While an amateur racer he raced cars for himself and other including Bunny Ribbs. Bob owned Cooper Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3, and Formula Juniors. Bob owned Cooper mkV, Cooper- Special, two mkX (one he race other he sold), type 43,Type 56,type 76,etc..
Bob is a founding member of the Formula Racing Association which was started by Harry Morrow. He is member number seven. Bob decided to build his own formula III car after his friend Phil Hill came back from Europe and told Bob about the cars. His own 500cc Formula car the Wenz Ariel Special was based on Fiat Topolino components. It only had an 80" wheel base and a very impressive iron cylinder speedway based Ariel motor Bob says it was scary and eventually cut the car in half. This was the first 500 believed to have been built in the US and it was raced at Pebble Beach, Torrey Pines etc... Next Bob bought his first Cooper a mkV. He then purchased a (Cooper Copy) Special in the UK which he tested it at Brands Hatch before importing it to race. Bob imported quite a few FIII cars along the way.In 1960 Bob purchased this Cooper mk X.
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Bob Wenz Notebook
Bob's Notebook that he kept setup records. This include the MKX and the "Special" |
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Stockton 1963
Bob chasing down those Formula Juniors and kicking their butts. Note the cone waded up under the right front suspension. Bob and Bob Korst used to consistently beat the bigger Formula Junior cars on race track like this. He raced all over the state, running against Corvette's, Formula Juniors,etc... He and Bob Korst at one event started at the back of a 30 car field racing, passed all the formula bigger formula car and sports racing cars. They were promptly protested by the Huffaker factory BMC race squad. Jack Flaherty thought the 500's were "dangerous". |
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Santa Barbara 1963
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Date |
Track |
Event |
Car |
Entrant |
Result |
August 4th |
Brands Hatch |
World Sports Trophy |
# 21 Cooper Mk X (green) |
AJC Newton |
Heat 9th |
August 9th |
Silverstone |
BARC Commander Yorke Trophy |
# 21 Cooper Mk X (green) |
AJC Newton |
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Value |
Value |
# 21 Cooper Mk X (green) |
AJC Newton |
Value |
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# 21 Cooper Mk X (green) |
AJC Newton |
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# 21 Cooper Mk X (green) |
AJC Newton |
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# 6 Cooper Mk X (green) |
AJC Newton |
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# 6 Cooper Mk X (green) |
AJC Newton |
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#6 Cooper Mk X (green) |
AJC Newton |
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# 6 Cooper Mk X (green) |
AJC Newton |
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# 7 Cooper Mk X (green) |
AJC Newton |
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April 1961 |
Stockton |
#539 Cooper MKX |
Bob Wenz |
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June 1961 |
Laguna Seca |
#539 Cooper MKX |
Bob Wenz |
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4/14-15//62 |
Stockton |
#539 Cooper MKX |
Bob Wenz |
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5/12-13//62 |
Cotati |
#539 Cooper MKX |
Bob Wenz |
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7/14-15//62 |
Oakland GP |
#539 Cooper MKX |
Bob Wenz |