Board Logo

1959 Cooper Porsche open-wheeler
HappyDaze - December 2nd, 2010 at 04:03 PM

While I was waiting for the 356 brakes for No.8 Beetle, I managed to finish the Cooper Porsche race car.

It was built by Len Lukey (of Lukey Muffler fame) in 1959, for Laurie whitehead. The Porsche engine was replaced by a Peugeot donk in the '60s, and was known as the 'Cooper Peugeot'.

That didn't seem right to me, so - after persuading the then owner that I needed it more than he did - I stuck a 356 motor in. It still had the 356 drum brakes, which is great. OK, so I'm a Drum brake nut.:blush:

It will be having it's first run with a Porsche engine for about 50 years next Wednesday, when I take it to Wakefield Park. It's a GEAR Club day.

Cheers, Greg

vw54 - December 2nd, 2010 at 04:15 PM

Ok any pics Greg sounds nice

Sides - December 2nd, 2010 at 04:21 PM

Yah Greg - pics please !!!

Always keen to see anything from your little stable....

;)

Camo - December 2nd, 2010 at 07:03 PM

Posted on behalf of GM.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v63/levin4kevin/gm2-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v63/levin4kevin/gm-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v63/levin4kevin/gm4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v63/levin4kevin/gm3-1.jpg

Kev

HappyDaze - December 2nd, 2010 at 07:09 PM

Thanks once again, Kev. I will make a New Year's Resolution to work out how to do the pics thing:rolleyes:

Cheers, Greg

vw54 - December 2nd, 2010 at 07:45 PM

Have a great day on next Wednesday looks tops

58camper - December 2nd, 2010 at 08:35 PM

Thats a gem Greg.

Whats the chance of squeezing me inside the cockpit.?

countrybuggybill

HappyDaze - December 3rd, 2010 at 06:07 AM

There is, surprisingly, a fair bit of room in the cock-pit, Bill. Do you want a drive?

A previous owner was a 'big bloke', and I needed to pad the seat a bit.:smilegrin:

Cheers, Greg

dangerous - December 3rd, 2010 at 07:32 AM

looks awesome greg,
what has been done to the engine?
i love those 356 exhaust ports!

Sides - December 3rd, 2010 at 08:00 AM

Awesome - love it !!!

Gotta ask tho Greg... looks suspiciously like a CV boot out close to that left rear wheel... it's not a "double-jointed rear end" is it ???

:lol:

HappyDaze - December 3rd, 2010 at 10:46 AM

Dangerous..........Stock Super '75', but I am starting on another engine, and looking at around 100hp plus. As it weighs FA, that should test the 356 brakes out.:crazy:

Sides..................OK Hawkeye, you're right - good old Beetle CVs. They were uni. joints, with a sliding yolk - horrible stuff.:td: That's 'double-jointed,AND IRS!:lol:

sander288 - December 3rd, 2010 at 12:15 PM

Love it sides well spotted!

HappyDaze - December 9th, 2010 at 08:33 AM

Cooper Porsche ran well yesterday at Wakefield Park (GEAR Club day). Only minor fiddles needed, such as brake balance, tyre pressures, etc.

Nice to drive an open-wheeler again - it's been a few years since the last time, and I forgot how much fun it was.

Cheers, Greg

matberry - December 9th, 2010 at 12:39 PM

Fantastic car Greg, I missed this thread!! So the double jointed IRS rear end handled ok, it was just the drum brakes that weren't quite right....is that what you said?

:lol::lol::lol:

I've been hearing about your future rebuild plans. :tu: I have another in the shop now getting some engine repairs, a '59 A Cab. Mmmmmm