John Cooper - David Vizard Interview 1982 (MTN)
- mab01uk
- 1275 Cooper S
- Posts: 8294
- Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 7:08 pm
- Location: S.E. England
- Has thanked: 119 times
- Been thanked: 78 times
John Cooper - David Vizard Interview 1982 (MTN)
David Vizard Interviews John Cooper in 1982 for his monthly newsletter 'Mini Tech News'.
MTN was published by DV from Jan 1980 to Dec 1983 and in the days before any monthly Mini magazines was an essential read for Mini tuning enthusiasts, Triple C by then was reducing its coverage of the Mini as other far more modern cars were by now taking its place in the world of small competition and performance saloon cars. I was a subscriber and MTN Roving Editor at the time!
I have scanned the interview pages and hope they are readable on the forum below, if not I can email a pdf file (pm me).
(Note: Any missing page numbers are adverts omitted from my scanned copy).
MTN was published by DV from Jan 1980 to Dec 1983 and in the days before any monthly Mini magazines was an essential read for Mini tuning enthusiasts, Triple C by then was reducing its coverage of the Mini as other far more modern cars were by now taking its place in the world of small competition and performance saloon cars. I was a subscriber and MTN Roving Editor at the time!
I have scanned the interview pages and hope they are readable on the forum below, if not I can email a pdf file (pm me).
(Note: Any missing page numbers are adverts omitted from my scanned copy).
Last edited by mab01uk on Sat Oct 03, 2020 9:19 am, edited 3 times in total.
- mk1coopers
- 1275 Cooper S
- Posts: 2003
- Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 2:14 pm
- Has thanked: 2 times
- Been thanked: 1 time
-
- 1275 Cooper S
- Posts: 1190
- Joined: Mon Jul 05, 2010 8:40 pm
- Location: Northern Ireland
- Has thanked: 4 times
- Been thanked: 4 times
-
- 1275 Cooper S
- Posts: 2614
- Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2011 5:07 pm
- Location: Southern England
- Been thanked: 4 times
Re: John Cooper - David Vizard Interview 1982 (MTN)
Fascinating - but reading it has made me realise that I REALLY need some new glasses
-
- 850 Super
- Posts: 136
- Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2010 9:13 pm
- Location: Germany
- Contact:
-
- 998 Cooper
- Posts: 362
- Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2015 2:14 pm
- Location: Stoke on Trent
Re: John Cooper - David Vizard Interview 1982 (MTN)
That’s really interesting, thanks for posting.
I put ‘Carmona’ 12” Minilites on my 1.3S Metro, took them off a non arched late 1275GT, they did look really good, I’ll try and find a photo.
Great memories...
Nick
I put ‘Carmona’ 12” Minilites on my 1.3S Metro, took them off a non arched late 1275GT, they did look really good, I’ll try and find a photo.
Great memories...
Nick
- Spider
- 1275 Cooper S
- Posts: 4780
- Joined: Mon May 07, 2012 6:10 am
- Location: Big Red, Australia
- Has thanked: 66 times
- Been thanked: 17 times
Re: John Cooper - David Vizard Interview 1982 (MTN)
Gem of an article that one, both being quite open and frank. It doesn't surprise me how they got things done in the BMC days - pre-internet and pre-fax! - they just had a teledex with everyone's number, including the bosses ! These days, we're battling to communicate with a damn communication's company. Then when Leyland stepped in, the 'network' was shutdown and no one knew each other.
Martin, many thanks for sharing and posting, I really enjoyed that.
Martin, many thanks for sharing and posting, I really enjoyed that.
- 850man
- 998 Cooper
- Posts: 360
- Joined: Fri Nov 09, 2012 11:08 am
- Location: Melbourne, Australia.
Re: John Cooper - David Vizard Interview 1982 (MTN)
I have every issue of Cars & Car conversions magazine, where this and many other articles that DV wrote came from. I spoke to him about these old articles and he still has all the typed originals in his files. I suggested he compile them all and put them into a book, but he's getting old and never has enough time to get everything done these days. And he is recovering from a recent brain operation.
He has a mountain of print outs with all the data from the thousands of hours he spent developing cam profiles etc with Kent and others. I hope it is all not lost in the future.
He has a mountain of print outs with all the data from the thousands of hours he spent developing cam profiles etc with Kent and others. I hope it is all not lost in the future.
Restoration Specialist - https://www.facebook.com/linkautomotive
- mab01uk
- 1275 Cooper S
- Posts: 8294
- Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 7:08 pm
- Location: S.E. England
- Has thanked: 119 times
- Been thanked: 78 times
Re: John Cooper - David Vizard Interview 1982 (MTN)
This "exclusive" John Cooper Interview article came from David Vizards 'Mini Tech News' newsletter and I don't think it was ever published in Car & Car Conversions magazine.
I agree it would be good if many of David Vizard's old magazine articles and his archives of data on the A-series and the Mini were gathered together for a book before it is lost. However last time I spoke to DV was at the Autosport show in 2012 and he said despite many Mini enthusiasts asking him for an updated edition of his book 'How to Modify your Mini' the UK publishers did not seem to be interested in his technical books anymore....the demand for his work and technical books was in the USA.
Another interesting DV article below from the archives that some may have missed first time around.
1275GT ‘Around America Economy Drive’ 1976:-
viewtopic.php?t=6472
- Costafortune
- 1275 Cooper S
- Posts: 2026
- Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2017 9:26 am
- Location: Sheffield On Thames
- Has thanked: 13 times
- Been thanked: 23 times
Re: John Cooper - David Vizard Interview 1982 (MTN)
I spoke to DV in the 'States about 10 years ago about his red/white hillclimb Mini. Very pleasant and enthusiastic still. When you start speaking to him, he has an American twang but after 20 minutes it reverts to Gloucestershire!
- mab01uk
- 1275 Cooper S
- Posts: 8294
- Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 7:08 pm
- Location: S.E. England
- Has thanked: 119 times
- Been thanked: 78 times
Re: John Cooper - David Vizard Interview 1982 (MTN)
David Vizard - CCC Race Mini 1973
Last edited by mab01uk on Sun Nov 15, 2020 11:25 am, edited 2 times in total.
- mab01uk
- 1275 Cooper S
- Posts: 8294
- Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 7:08 pm
- Location: S.E. England
- Has thanked: 119 times
- Been thanked: 78 times
Re: John Cooper - David Vizard Interview 1982 (MTN)
From David Vizard's Facebook page:-
David Vizard - Race Auto Tech
28 April ·
"Finally I get around to doing a post. Just in case you all did not know I had emergency brain surgery just about a year ago. Since then I have had various issues getting things done and one of those was forgetting I even had a facebook page. But things are going to change around here. One of those changes is ---- more video production and less writing. For those who don't yet know I have a bunch of videos on YouTube. Just put my name into the search line and you will get about 40 hits. The ones to really look out for come under the heading of 'PowerTec 10'.
As of now I am very busy putting together new video's on some hot topics. Mostly on Ford small block V8's.
While typing this a thought struck me. I don't have the time to answer the questions put over on this Face Book channel but I could ---- maybe --- do a video each month that answers to most interesting questions. Let me have some feedback on that to help me make my mind up as to what I should do!!"
DV
https://en-gb.facebook.com/DavidVizardAuto/
Mini Tech News:-
https://en-gb.facebook.com/DavidVizardA ... =3&theater
Tuning the A-series Engine:-
https://en-gb.facebook.com/DavidVizardA ... =3&theater
https://en-gb.facebook.com/DavidVizardA ... =3&theater
Tragically David Vizard also lost his 18 year old daughter Jacqueline, he had mentioned he wanted to get her behind the wheel of a race Mini to experience first hand where he had started with Mini racing and tuning in the UK but sadly she died in July 31st 2014 and it was not to be.
https://en-gb.facebook.com/DavidVizardA ... =3&theater
David Vizard - Race Auto Tech
28 April ·
"Finally I get around to doing a post. Just in case you all did not know I had emergency brain surgery just about a year ago. Since then I have had various issues getting things done and one of those was forgetting I even had a facebook page. But things are going to change around here. One of those changes is ---- more video production and less writing. For those who don't yet know I have a bunch of videos on YouTube. Just put my name into the search line and you will get about 40 hits. The ones to really look out for come under the heading of 'PowerTec 10'.
As of now I am very busy putting together new video's on some hot topics. Mostly on Ford small block V8's.
While typing this a thought struck me. I don't have the time to answer the questions put over on this Face Book channel but I could ---- maybe --- do a video each month that answers to most interesting questions. Let me have some feedback on that to help me make my mind up as to what I should do!!"
DV
https://en-gb.facebook.com/DavidVizardAuto/
Mini Tech News:-
https://en-gb.facebook.com/DavidVizardA ... =3&theater
Tuning the A-series Engine:-
https://en-gb.facebook.com/DavidVizardA ... =3&theater
https://en-gb.facebook.com/DavidVizardA ... =3&theater
Tragically David Vizard also lost his 18 year old daughter Jacqueline, he had mentioned he wanted to get her behind the wheel of a race Mini to experience first hand where he had started with Mini racing and tuning in the UK but sadly she died in July 31st 2014 and it was not to be.
https://en-gb.facebook.com/DavidVizardA ... =3&theater
- mab01uk
- 1275 Cooper S
- Posts: 8294
- Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 7:08 pm
- Location: S.E. England
- Has thanked: 119 times
- Been thanked: 78 times
Re: John Cooper - David Vizard Interview 1982 (MTN)
Interesting David Vizard interview below from 2012, (seen on the Turbo Minis forum).
DV Interview.
1} With all the products that have been/are available & the development work that has been carried out for the A-Series engine over the decades, do you think there are many gains left to be made to extract more power?
DV. Well Phil it depends on which direction you look technically. For instance how much more is to be gained from 4 valve heads for the A Series. How much more if we limit things to 5 port heads. What about turbo's - a subject obviously close to your heart. Right now my biggest fascinations are in the direction of turbo motors and 5 port headed engines. I really want to build a turbo 'A' Series as i have a lot of hi-tech turbo stuff that I have not used and I am sure it would result in more power per lb of boost. On the 5 port front I am still driven to make 150 hp from a 5 porter for 1300 cc class racing.
2} If there are still gains to be made, in which area do you think the biggest achievements can, or will be made?
DV. If that question is directed toward turbo stuff I would be asking you so let's stick with the N/A 5 port stuff for the moment. The down and dirty answer in terms of 5 porters is that the principle gains are all in 3 predominant area's. These are cylinder head development, and that has by no means topped out, valve trains and friction reduction.
3} With all the years you’ve been involved in developing engines, how do you manage to keep yourself focused & driven to continue working so hard?
DV. Imagine you are a sex maniac except your focus is engines instead!
4} With all the things you’ve achieved in your life is there any one thing that stands out that you’re most proud of?
DV. If I can change 'proud of' to something similar like 'really pleased about' then I can be very specific here. In my 50 plus year career I have been rich and poor, on top of the world and down in the dumps. Every time it has been the poor and down scenario I have been overwhelmed by how many good friends I have that go so very far beyond that extra mile.
5} Are there any things you would still like to achieve?
DV. Yes I would like to see my youngest daughter succeed in motor racing. She has inherited the skill to drive and has the courage to tackle anything that comes her way on the track. What does worry me is whether she fully understands just how much effort it takes to succeed in the big league. As of now she has her sights set on being a Pro Stock drag race champ. At 16 years old she has had the opportunity to drive racers that will top 180 in the quarter mile. Now I have to say that sort of speed is a little scary for most people but for her it seemed little more than ho-hum.
6} What was your first car, & when did you own it ?
DV. A 1956 Austin A 30 that I and my brother got in 1959.
7} What would you consider you’re most valuable/essential tool in your workshop ?
DV. - In order of importance - dyno, flow bench, seat and guide machine, mill, lathe, porting tools and grinding bench, computer for engineering purposes (I have absolutely zero games on my computer - it's all business - that is if you can call playing with race engines all day business) computer for word processing and editorial production.
8} What’s the most powerful engine you’ve had the pleasure of working on ?
DV. About 1800 to 1850 hp was a one time deal but I have built several engines in excess of 1500 hp.
9} What was the first engine you modified & when did you do it ?
DV. That would have be the two stroke motor of one of those little bicycle 'Power Pack' deals. It was about 50 cc and that would have been about 1957 ish.
10} If you don’t already own it, what would be your dream car/cars ?
DV. I glad you said cars here so I don't have to make a confined choice. Given such a choice of say 4 cars my first would be a true touring capable 'A' Series powered Mini, next a 427 King Cobra, a hopped up crew cab Ford diesel truck for towing the racer and the latest supercharged Cadillac CTS Sports Coupe (0-60 in 3.9 seconds with a computer limited 165 mph top speed (soon fix that computer) for my wife to drive me in on cross country trips. (she is great chauffeur - fast and smooth).
11} Is there any one thing you would consider essential to a good engine build ?
DV. Cost effective reliability.
12} What do you think you would be doing if you’d never got into engine development & the pursuit of horsepower ?
DV. I have often thought of that. My answer here is that a life without race cars is hardly a life. I would have probably died at an early age due to incurable boredom.
13} What would be the first thing you would do if today was your last day?
DV. I see the point of your question here and the reality is I would spent it with the people most precious to me but the day before that -- win the Daytona 500.
14} As you were originally based in England, what was the reason for your move to the USA ?
DV. There are many reasons why i wanted to move to the US but ultimately I was pretty much forced to go. I have had bronchial problems since about the age of 6 when I had malaria, dysentery and pneumonia - all in quick succession. This coupled with a respirator failure while grinding cast iron heads about 1968-69 resulted in some pretty sorry lungs. A Mini collector and close friend of mine, Dr. Marcus Gartner was visiting my place in Bishops Cleeve and my coughing caught his attention so he gave me a once over. After doing so he announced that if I did not get into a hot dry climate he would give me about 2 years at best. A few weeks after that the guy that owned HP books based in Tucson, Arizona, turned up on my doorstep and wanted to know if I would like to move to Tucson (located in the Arizona desert) and write a series of books. That move probably saved my life.
15} What initially sparked your interest in cars & making things go faster ?
DV. Nothing - I think it's genetic so I was born that way!
Original Article on TM forum:-
http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/inde ... tid=485952
Spec’ing Cams over the years - David Vizard (2017) :-
viewtopic.php?t=19214
DV Interview.
1} With all the products that have been/are available & the development work that has been carried out for the A-Series engine over the decades, do you think there are many gains left to be made to extract more power?
DV. Well Phil it depends on which direction you look technically. For instance how much more is to be gained from 4 valve heads for the A Series. How much more if we limit things to 5 port heads. What about turbo's - a subject obviously close to your heart. Right now my biggest fascinations are in the direction of turbo motors and 5 port headed engines. I really want to build a turbo 'A' Series as i have a lot of hi-tech turbo stuff that I have not used and I am sure it would result in more power per lb of boost. On the 5 port front I am still driven to make 150 hp from a 5 porter for 1300 cc class racing.
2} If there are still gains to be made, in which area do you think the biggest achievements can, or will be made?
DV. If that question is directed toward turbo stuff I would be asking you so let's stick with the N/A 5 port stuff for the moment. The down and dirty answer in terms of 5 porters is that the principle gains are all in 3 predominant area's. These are cylinder head development, and that has by no means topped out, valve trains and friction reduction.
3} With all the years you’ve been involved in developing engines, how do you manage to keep yourself focused & driven to continue working so hard?
DV. Imagine you are a sex maniac except your focus is engines instead!
4} With all the things you’ve achieved in your life is there any one thing that stands out that you’re most proud of?
DV. If I can change 'proud of' to something similar like 'really pleased about' then I can be very specific here. In my 50 plus year career I have been rich and poor, on top of the world and down in the dumps. Every time it has been the poor and down scenario I have been overwhelmed by how many good friends I have that go so very far beyond that extra mile.
5} Are there any things you would still like to achieve?
DV. Yes I would like to see my youngest daughter succeed in motor racing. She has inherited the skill to drive and has the courage to tackle anything that comes her way on the track. What does worry me is whether she fully understands just how much effort it takes to succeed in the big league. As of now she has her sights set on being a Pro Stock drag race champ. At 16 years old she has had the opportunity to drive racers that will top 180 in the quarter mile. Now I have to say that sort of speed is a little scary for most people but for her it seemed little more than ho-hum.
6} What was your first car, & when did you own it ?
DV. A 1956 Austin A 30 that I and my brother got in 1959.
7} What would you consider you’re most valuable/essential tool in your workshop ?
DV. - In order of importance - dyno, flow bench, seat and guide machine, mill, lathe, porting tools and grinding bench, computer for engineering purposes (I have absolutely zero games on my computer - it's all business - that is if you can call playing with race engines all day business) computer for word processing and editorial production.
8} What’s the most powerful engine you’ve had the pleasure of working on ?
DV. About 1800 to 1850 hp was a one time deal but I have built several engines in excess of 1500 hp.
9} What was the first engine you modified & when did you do it ?
DV. That would have be the two stroke motor of one of those little bicycle 'Power Pack' deals. It was about 50 cc and that would have been about 1957 ish.
10} If you don’t already own it, what would be your dream car/cars ?
DV. I glad you said cars here so I don't have to make a confined choice. Given such a choice of say 4 cars my first would be a true touring capable 'A' Series powered Mini, next a 427 King Cobra, a hopped up crew cab Ford diesel truck for towing the racer and the latest supercharged Cadillac CTS Sports Coupe (0-60 in 3.9 seconds with a computer limited 165 mph top speed (soon fix that computer) for my wife to drive me in on cross country trips. (she is great chauffeur - fast and smooth).
11} Is there any one thing you would consider essential to a good engine build ?
DV. Cost effective reliability.
12} What do you think you would be doing if you’d never got into engine development & the pursuit of horsepower ?
DV. I have often thought of that. My answer here is that a life without race cars is hardly a life. I would have probably died at an early age due to incurable boredom.
13} What would be the first thing you would do if today was your last day?
DV. I see the point of your question here and the reality is I would spent it with the people most precious to me but the day before that -- win the Daytona 500.
14} As you were originally based in England, what was the reason for your move to the USA ?
DV. There are many reasons why i wanted to move to the US but ultimately I was pretty much forced to go. I have had bronchial problems since about the age of 6 when I had malaria, dysentery and pneumonia - all in quick succession. This coupled with a respirator failure while grinding cast iron heads about 1968-69 resulted in some pretty sorry lungs. A Mini collector and close friend of mine, Dr. Marcus Gartner was visiting my place in Bishops Cleeve and my coughing caught his attention so he gave me a once over. After doing so he announced that if I did not get into a hot dry climate he would give me about 2 years at best. A few weeks after that the guy that owned HP books based in Tucson, Arizona, turned up on my doorstep and wanted to know if I would like to move to Tucson (located in the Arizona desert) and write a series of books. That move probably saved my life.
15} What initially sparked your interest in cars & making things go faster ?
DV. Nothing - I think it's genetic so I was born that way!
Original Article on TM forum:-
http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/inde ... tid=485952
Spec’ing Cams over the years - David Vizard (2017) :-
viewtopic.php?t=19214
- Exminiman
- 1275 Cooper S
- Posts: 2950
- Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2017 7:59 am
- Location: Berkshire UK
- Has thanked: 24 times
- Been thanked: 15 times
Re: John Cooper - David Vizard Interview 1982 (MTN)
Thanks for posting this, i have always found DV a fascinating character, and admired his professional and analytical approach to engine tuning, rather than just following the pack.......
Interesting to learn a bit about the man as well.
Interesting to learn a bit about the man as well.