Powered mainly by JAP and Manx Norton motorcycle engines, the Cooper Car Company's innovative rear-engined racing cars dominated the 500cc Formula 3 scene in the 1950s, providing many future stars, most notably Stirling Moss, with their first taste of 'real' motor racing.

At the same time that production of the 500cc racers was getting under way, company founder Charles Cooper's son John decided to build a sports car for road use.

Following an abortive attempt using a Triumph twin-cylinder motorcycle engine, a prototype was assembled during the winter of 1948/49 to accommodate a four-cylinder Vauxhall Ten power unit.

This was installed ahead of the driver in a chassis similar to that of designed for the 1,000cc JAP v-twin engine, complete with the racers' FIAT-type independent suspension at both ends and cast aluminium wheels with integral brake drums.

Despite the Coopers' tuning efforts, the Vauxhall engine was deemed insufficiently powerful and so a deal was concluded with MG for...