British car designer responsible for the Mini Cooper and the introduction  of rear-engine Formula One race cars. He founded Cooper Car Co. with his father, Charles, in 1946. He found success in the Formula Three circuit in the 1950s with a revolutionary car design that mounted the engine behind the driver, a standard concept today. A Cooper car, driven by Sterling Moss, won its first grand prix in 1958. He won F1 constructors' titles in 1959 and 1960. His Mini Cooper became one of Britain's most enduring cars during the 1960s after reaching cult status thanks to celebrity owners like John Lennon, Paul McCarthy and Peter Sellers. He was awarded a Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1999 for his services to the motor industry. He died of cancer.

                               Died: Worthing, England, Dec. 24, 2000