The Cooper T53 for the 1960 F1 season proved to be an extremely solid and efficient car, with a very good chassis and the Coventry FPF engine capable of delivering around 250 horsepower. The T53 did not make its debut in the race until May but it was decisive in conquering the drivers' title of Jack Brabham, who at the wheel of the T53 won five GPs in a row. Cooper won the constructors' title for the second and final time. In 1961 the T53 was sold to customers, usually with the 1.5-liter FPF engine, but other structures such as the Scuderia Serenissima used alternative engines, such as the Maserati or Alfa Romeo (seen in South Africa in 1962).
In 1960, after the victory in Argentina with the T51, Bruce McLaren had the T53 at his disposal with which he achieved several good results with the Works team. At Spa he finished second, after starting almost from the back of the grid. McLaren scored 37 points, finishing second in the Drivers' Championship.