Andy Hayward
When asked to describe what I thought when I heard the sad news that John Cooper had passed away I found the words came to me easily, shocked, but happy for John to have lived such a full and happy life. John Cooper was always a myth in my mind until the 40th birthday celebration week in 1999 when I finally had the chance to meet him in person. That day will never be forgotten! He was so friendly and willing to speak with everyone he met, he was not trying to leave a good impression, he did that naturally. John had a memory that was as good as an elephant's! he could remember all the faces and names of people he met, years after. The fact that he did, meant that he cared, and was sincerely interested in what they had to say When he started making the first racing Mini, he unknowingly started an amazing event that still lives on today, the cult of the Mini! most of us have been in a Mini at sometime or another and a great many of us took an immediate liking to the car. I constantly meet men and women who are no longer able to drive due to their age, that remember the Mini as a wonderful experience and are always keen to speak of the good times they had with theirs. I will be one of those men too one day. I am sure that the Mini would have sold well without him, though I am even more sure it would not have been produced so long were it not for his success in making the Mini a superb sports car, capable of winning rallies and circuit races, we are all highly indebted to him for that. From all the members of my clubs, thank you John for everything you did for the Mini and through that, for us. Please rest in peace, you merit it.
