Two 500s were invited to Silverstone as guests of the British Racing Drivers Club to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the first post war Grand Prix, held in October 1948. The 500 race, over thirteen laps (50 miles), was won by Spike Rhiando with John Cooper in  second and Sir Francis Samuelson, third. The first four cars home were all production Coopers, a spectacular advertisement for the fledgling company in front of a huge crowd. Despite the prestigious occasion, running two hours before the Grand Prix and the the first ever competitive race at Silverstone, the start was something of a shambles. When BRDC President Lord Howe dropped the flag only two of the thirty four drivers were ready and Eric Brandon was not even seated in his car! Stirling Moss had dominated the race season up to this point and took the lead but his car lost its chain near the end to gift the race to Rhiando. The Grand Prix was won by Luigi Villoresi from Alberto Ascari, both in Maseratis with Bob Gerard, third in his ERA.

1948 Results: 1st Spike Rhiando - Cooper Mk II, 2nd John Cooper - Cooper Mk II, 3rd Sir Francis Samuelson - Cooper Mk II, 4th Eric Brandon - Cooper Mk II, 5th R.L. Coward - Cowlan, 6th Stan Coldham - Cooper Mk II, 7th Reg Phillips - Fairley, 8th Dickie Stoop - GS1, 9th Peter Page - Cooper Mk II                 DNF: Frank Aikens - Aikens, Bill Grose Grose, Charlie Smith - CFS, Ken Smith - Smith, Dennis Flather - Marrott, Forbes Clark - ASA, Joe Fry - Freikaiserwagen, John Gibbs - MAC, Lord Strathcarron - Marwyn, Colin Strang - Strang, Jim Bosisto - Buzzie, A.A. Underwood - Underwood, Messenger - Messenger, Stirling Moss - Cooper Mk II, R.M. Dryden - Cooper Mk II, George Saunders - Cooper Mk II

Richard and John enjoyed the hospitality of the BRDC and a tremendous drive by Lewis Hamilton in classic British summer weather, as the cars were displayed in the Farm enclosure. Also on display were a pair of ERAs, R1A and the GP1.