Cooper [3] / Warwick (United Kingdom)

Cooper Car Co. Ltd. was a British automobile manufacturer founded by Charles and John Cooper in Surbiton, Surrey, in 1947. The company emerged during the post-World War II era, capitalizing on the burgeoning 500cc racing movement. The Coopers were known for their innovative approach to car design, particularly in utilizing available materials during a time of scarcity. They ingeniously repurposed components from scrap vehicles, such as using the front suspension of two discarded Fiat 500 Topolinos, which they combined with a simple ladder frame and a motorcycle engine positioned behind the driver.

Throughout its brief existence from 1947 to 1951, Cooper became a notable producer of 500cc racing cars. The company crafted vehicles using materials sourced from scrap yards, including aluminum for cast wheels and steel from repurposed air raid shelters. Their first sports car was a two-seat version of the 500, equipped with a Triumph engine and a streamlined body. Although this model remained a prototype, Cooper produced approximately two dozen chassis in three batches between 1948 and 1952, which could be configured for either road use or competition. These cars featured front-engine layouts and utilized various engines from manufacturers such as MG, Ford, Vauxhall, Rover, and Lea-Francis.

In addition to their racing cars, some 500cc single-seater chassis were modified by specialized builders to create front-engine sports cars. Notably, many Cooper-Bristol Formula 2 cars from 1952 and 1953 were converted into sports cars, only to be reverted back to single-seaters when financially necessary. While subsequent Cooper sports cars were not designed as dual-purpose vehicles, the Cooper-Jaguar, owned by Colonel Michael Head, was occasionally used for touring in continental Europe. In 1959, Cooper ventured into experimentation with a Climax-powered Renault Dauphine, which ultimately paved the way for the development of the iconic Mini Cooper.