Steve McQueen fans rejoice as the movie star and racer’s T-56 Formula Junior Race Car hits the market with a vehicle commemorating both vintage racing and Hollywood history.
This 1961 Cooper T-56 previously owned by renowned actor and “Le Mans” star, Steve McQueen, was designed and built for the FIA’s Formula Junior series. Campaigned by the Tyrell team and driven by Sir Jackie Stewart, the vehicle would go on to win three F1 World Championships, eight first-place finishes, and 18 total podium finishes under Tyrell racing.
The T-56 has been fully restored to its Hollywood glory by Hardy Hall Restorations of Herefordshire, and is one of only two Works cars campaigned by the famous Team Tyrrell for Cooper in 1961 that were known for their 6-wheeled race cars. After its long history with racing wins and championships, the vehicle was sold from racing star Maggs and to the rising cinema star and now legend, Steve McQueen.
While fully restored from the ground up to its original racing spec, any parts that were not up to that standard were replaced, rebuilt, or simply re-fabricated. An original and correct five-speed ERSA gearbox was sourced, and the car was fitted with the appropriate 1098cc BMC engine. The original documentation file contains extensive photographic restoration documentation, period photographs, Steven McQueen news clippings, invoices, ownership records, and correspondence with both Ken Tyrrell and John Cooper.
For more information on the Cooper T-56, please click here.
