Formula 2 Cooper-Vincent 
The following car was discovered at a house in the Mohave desert in the USA.   I purchased the car July 7, 2004.   I am not sure about the make, type and year of the car.  Later Coopers tend to have wider bodywork according to my photo library, but a local historic racer believes it may be a very early Cooper Formula 2 about 1947-48. It has the early 4 stud disc wheels. The Vincent engine is an HRD serial number F10AB/1C 1664 ... the numbers are correct for a Vincent Black Lightning although Gordon Powell in the VOC has no record of a Black Lightning motorcycle by that number.  The serial number is very clear and appears unaltered.  Again, I am unsure of exactly what it is... but it sure is very interesting.  An initial phone call to vintage racer Marty Dickerson revealed that most early Coopers were Formula 1 (500cc) had Norton Manx engines and a few with BSA Gold Star engines. The rarer Formula 2 Coopers (1000cc) mostly carried JAP engines. Formula 2 Coopers with Vincent Black Lightning engines are very rare.  Marty said the only ones he knew of were raced in England.

The engine may be a genuine Lightning, but so far is undocumented.  Everything appears genuine. It has the correct Amal 32mm 10TT9 racing carbs on Lightning intake stubs, complete Lightning clutch, highly polished and expertly lightened rocker arms, polished pushrods, correct Lightning exhaust flanges, DKX2A distributor (looking for a genuine KVFTT !!),  push-start, fully intact and unaltered crankcases with uncut operating transmission, and the engine is free and has great compression.   I have not pulled the timing cover or checked to see if the flywheels and rods are Lightning.  I bet they are...

The car is very straight and factory made. Tyres are Dunlop Racing 5 x 15 on mystery rims, hand shift from cockpit,  hydraulic racing 4-wheel brakes, fully independent front and rear suspension, missing some sheet metal and cockpit seat....otherwise Very complete.

If you have any information about this car...previous drivers, model, type, etc..please e-mail jim@thevincent.com or call me at 541-488-5474 anytime.  I'd really like to know the history.  Then... if I can find someone to restore the engine for a reasonable price, I may build up the fastest road-going Lightning in town !!! 







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