THERE’S MORE THAN AN element of déjà vu about this, but Mini just keeps pumping out yet more special editions.
While memories of Mini #37 are probably stronger in the UK than here in Australia, someone at Mini has decided it worthy of commemoration.
In 1964, the classic Mini Cooper S clinched the first of three overall victories at the legendary Monte Carlo Rally. At the wheel: the then 30-year-old Northern Irish rally driver Patrick “Paddy” Hopkirk.
Over mountain passes, through ice snow, round tight hairpins and down steep slopes, Hopkirk and his co-driver Henry Liddon exploited the Mini Cooper S’ agility to overcome the odds against competitors with significantly greater power outputs. Forgive our cynicism, but we somehow doubt that the re-born Mini of the 21st century could replicate the feat … but we digress.
Televised to racing fans all over the world, this legendary win made Paddy Hopkirk an overnight rally celebrity; the classic red Mini with auxiliary fog lights was also seared into the collective hearts of racing fans everywhere.
The little Mini Cooper S went on to dominate at the Monte Carlo Rally, with Timo Mäkinen and Rauno Aaltonen adding two more outright victories to the trophy cabinet in 1965 and 1967. (Stand by for an announcement about the Mini Timo Mäkinen Edition and Rauno Aaltonen Edition – we jest, but only just.)
To commemorate this first and sweetest victory, Mini is proud to present the Paddy Hopkirk Edition to mark one of the most spectacular achievements in the history of motor racing, available in 3-door Hatch, 5-door Hatch and John Cooper Works variants.
Like the famous giant-slaying rally car, the body finish of the MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition is available exclusively in Chili Red with a White roof, with Black rally-style auxiliary headlights matched perfectly to the car’s Piano Black exterior package.
Cooper S variants get a special 17-inch John Cooper Works ‘Track’ wheels finished in black, while John Cooper Works models get a unique 18-inch ‘Style 506’ wheels finished in gloss black.
The unmistakable motif of Hopkirk’s coup in the classic Mini Cooper S was without doubt the winning car’s start number, emblazoned across its sides: #37. The Mini Paddy Hopkirk Edition reimagines this in stylised form on the driver and passenger doors, as well as side scuttles.
Other edition-specific enhancements include the famous number and letter combination ‘33 EJB’ off the number plate of the 1964 Monte Carlo winning car on the bonnet strip in 3D effect graphics, stickers with the inscription “Paddy Hopkirk Monte Carlo” and a single white bonnet stripe on the driver’s side, which bears the signature of the 1964 “Monte” winner.
In addition, Hopkirk’s signature also appears on the tailgate and decorative trim strip on the passenger side, and special Mini LED entry sills also bear his name.
“MINI’s spectacular winning streak at the Monte Carlo Rally continues to inspire MINI fans all over the world to this day,” comments Brett Waudby, General Manager for MINI Australia and New Zealand. “With the MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition, MINI fans now have the opportunity to express their passion for the brand’s rallying roots in a particularly authentic way.” (We’ll leave MINI in caps for this quote, as MINI seems to wish itself capitalised at every opportunity.)
The Mini Paddy Hopkirk Edition will be made in Cooper S 3-door, Mini Cooper S 5 door and Mini John Cooper Works variants, with strictly limited numbers of each variant earmarked for Australia.
Feature packed and with exclusive touches both inside and out, the Mini Paddy Hopkirk Edition is priced from $54,800 (plus on-road costs).
Interested and cashed-up fans can reserve a unit online via the Mini Australia website now.
Mini Paddy Hopkirk Edition – pricing and technical data
| Variant | Engine | Output | Fuel Eff. | Price | Units | ||
| Cooper S 3-Door Hatch | 4-cylinder petrol | 141kW/280Nm | 5.5L/100km | $54,800 | 25 | ||
| Cooper S 5-Door Hatch | 4-cylinder petrol | 141kW/280Nm | 5.6L/100km | $56,400 | 25 | ||
| John Cooper Works Hatch | 4-cylinder petrol | 170kW/320Nm | 6.0L/100km | $69,000 | 15 |
All prices plus on road costs
Product Highlights (Cooper S 3-door/5-door):
- 2.0-litre 4-cylinder MINI TwinPower Turbo engine (141kW / 280Nm)
- 7-speed Steptronic Sport dual-clutch transmission
- Chili Red Exterior with White Roof and Black Mirror Caps
- Panorama Sunroof
- Piano Black Exterior Package
- Side Scuttle in Paddy Hopkirk Edition design
- Paddy Hopkirk Edition exterior package
- 17-inch Track Spoke light alloy wheels in Black
- John Cooper Works aerodynamic kit
- Sport suspension settings
- LED headlights, fog lights and taillights
- Auxiliary headlights in gloss black
- MINI Yours Leather Lounge in Carbon Black
- John Cooper Works Sport Leather Steering Wheel
- 5-inch digital instrumentation display
- Paddy Hopkirk Edition dashboard fascia insert
- Piano Black interior surfaces
- Anthracite headliner
- Paddy Hopkirk Edition door sills
- 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Harman Kardon HiFi Sound System with 12 speakers (410W) and 8-ch digital amplifier
- Comfort Access
- Driving Assistant
- Parking Assistant with rear view camera
- Cruise Control with braking function
- Apple CarPlay
- MINI Connected
Product Highlights (John Cooper Works – in addition to Cooper S):
- 2.0-litre 4-cylinder MINI TwinPower Turbo engine (170kW / 320Nm)
- 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission
- 18-inch ‘Style 506’ light alloy wheels in Black
- Adaptive LED headlights
- Adaptive Cruise Control