Mini enthusiasts worldwide are well-acquainted with the name John Cooper, a luminary in the history of BMC, the manufacturer of the iconic Mini. Renowned for his achievements in Formula 1 and his introduction of rear-engine racing cars, John Cooper collaborated with legendary pilots such as Jack Brabham, Stirling Moss, and Bruce McLaren. Under his guidance, Cooper's racing cars secured sixteen Grand Prix medals in F1, along with championship victories in 1959 and 1960. However, his genius truly shines in the creation of the legendary Mini Cooper.
This Mini Cooper S art print pays a tribute to the exceptional engineering prowess of John Cooper. His friendship with Alec Issigonis, the designer of the original Mini, set the stage for an extraordinary collaboration. While Issigonis initially doubted the compact vehicle's potential as a performance car, Cooper's persuasion led to the birth of the Cooper in 1961. With an increased engine power from 34 to 55 hp, it triumphed in the British Saloon Car Championship that very year, repeating the victory in 1962, 1969, 1978, and 1979.