This Cooper Formula Junior is chassis FJ-12-61 and known as GR12.
It was one of 4 cars sanctioned and part sponsored by the Cooper car company, competing initially for Gerard Racing and driven in 1961 by drivers Bob Gerard, Paddy Gaston, and John Taylor.
GR12 was fitted originally (and as it is presented today) with a 998cc BMC A engine and Renault Gordini gearbox, front discs, and rear drum brakes. GR12 competed in all major FJ races in the UK, including European events at Monza, Holland and Reims, best result being a 4th at the 1961 Monza Grand Prix.
The car continued as a Formula Junior in 1962 and moved to F3 for 1963/4 fitted with 1,100cc BMC engine and driven by Phillip De Banks, winning several races in the British FJ and F3 competitions.
The car has competed in Australia as a junior for the past 25 years owned by the Madden family out of Sydney, sold briefly to New Zealand in 2015, and brought back to Australia by Peter Williams in 2020 who has completely restored the car to its former glory over the past 3 years.
