Cooper T58

{{Racing car

| Car_name = Cooper T58

| Image =

| Category = Formula One

| WC_results_only = Y

| Constructor = Cooper

| Designer = Owen Maddock

| Predecessor = Cooper T55

| Successor = Cooper T60

| Team = Cooper Car Company

| Drivers = Jack Brabham

| Chassis = tubular spaceframe

| Front suspension = Double wishbone, coil spring and damper

| Rear suspension = Double wishbone, coil spring and damper

| Wheelbase =

| Track =

| Engine name = Coventry Climax FWMV, 1496cc, 90°

| Configuration = V8

| Turbo/NA = Naturally aspirated

| Engine position = mid-mounted

| Gearbox name = Cooper

| Gears = 5-speed

| Type = manual

| Differential =

| Weight = {{cvt|465|kg|lb}}

| Fuel =

| Tyres = Dunlop

| Debut = 1961 German Grand Prix

| Races = 3

| Wins = 0

| Cons_champ = 0

| Drivers_champ = 0

| Poles = 1

| Fastest_laps = 1

}}

The Cooper T58 was a Formula One car built by Cooper Car Company for the 1961 Formula One season. Only one example was built; it set one pole position and one fastest lap but scored no wins.

Development

The car was effectively a T55 modified to act as a test mule for the Coventry Climax FWMV V8 engine.

Racing history

The T58 made its debut at the 1961 German Grand Prix. Jack Brabham qualified second behind Phil Hill's Ferrari and briefly led the race but crashed on the first lap.{{cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/1961/allemagne.aspx|title=1961 German Grand Prix|accessdate=23 June 2020 |website= statsf1.com}} Brabham qualified tenth at the Italian and on pole and set fastest lap at the United States but retired from both races due to overheating.{{cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/1961/italie/engages.aspx|title=1961 Italian Grand Prix|accessdate=23 June 2020 |website= statsf1.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/1961/etats-unis/engages.aspx|title=1961 United States Grand Prix|accessdate=23 June 2020 |website= statsf1.com}}

The Cooper team scored 14 World Championship points during 1961 but none were scored with the T58, the team reverted to the older T55 and the newer Cooper T60 for 1962.

The car was then sold to the Reg Parnell Racing team, who entered it in one race only, the non-championship 1962 Mexican Grand Prix, fitted with a BRM V8 engine. Driver Moises Solana withdrew from the race, claiming that the car was too slow, although his times were faster than at least four other drivers who did take part.{{cite web|url=https://f1destinations.com/mexicos-home-race-heroes/|title=Mexico's Home Race F1 Heroes|accessdate=2022-08-22}}