The domination of Formula One by British engineering excellence - which still continues today - began with this car in 1959.
Abandoning the traditional front-engined format, Cooper put the engine between the driver and rear wheels, a revolution that set a design format that continues into the 21st Century.
The better weight distribution possible with this lay-out made the car more agile and manoeuvrable, and immediately rendered obsolete the front-engined Ferraris that had won the chamionship in 1958.
Jack Brabham took back-to-back titles for Cooper in 1959-60, and even Ferrari were forced to abandon front-engined designs.