Powered by JAP and Manx Norton motorcycle engines, Cooper's innovative mid-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.

What had been a strictly pragmatic solution to the problem of accommodating the motorcycle transmission's chain final drive resulted in a superbly well balanced car, and this demonstrably superior arrangement was continued on the next generation of Cooper sports-racing and single-seater designs.

When the former first appeared in 1955 it featured a centreline driving position and an abruptly truncated tail, immediately gaining the sobriquet 'Bobtail' or 'Manx'.

The T39 'Bobtail' offered here was delivered from the Cooper Car Company's famous factory in Hollyfield Road, Surbiton, Surrey to Florida resident Bill Boye, who actively campaigned the car on the East Coast of America until 1962.

It was subsequently acquired by a Mr Greene of Melb...