The Cooper T39 was designed by non other than Owen Maddock, when he decided to use a Formula 3 chassis and a Coventry Climax FWA engine. The T39, also known as the “Bobtail” because of its trimmed rear, was a very advanced car for its time given the low-drag aerodynamics and the engine sitting behind the driver but in front of the rear axel; making it one of the first ever cars to have a center-sitting engine. The T39 quickly became a front running car, reaching a 3rd in class at the 1957 24 Hours of Le Mans, driven by Jack Brabham and Ian Raby.