MORE than 56 years have handed, however reminiscences of the giant-slaying ‘little automobile that might’ with the quantity 37 on its doorways have hardly light. In 1964, the basic MINI Cooper S clinched the primary of three general victories on the legendary Monte Carlo Rally.
On the wheel, the then 30-year-old Northern Irish rally driver Patrick ‘Paddy’ Hopkirk. Over mountain passes, by means of ice and snow, spherical tight hairpins and down steep slopes, Hopkirk and his co-driver Henry Liddon exploited the MINI Cooper S’ agility.
It led the quantity 37 automobile to beat the percentages in opposition to opponents with considerably larger energy outputs. Televised to racing followers everywhere in the world, this legendary win made Paddy Hopkirk an in a single day rally superstar.
It additionally seared the basic purple MINI with auxiliary fog lights into the collective hearts of racing followers in all places. The little MINI Cooper S went on to dominate at Monte Carlo, with Timo Mäkinen and Rauno Aaltonen including two extra outright victories.
To commemorate this primary and sweetest victory, MINI is proud to current the Paddy Hopkirk Version, to mark one of the crucial spectacular achievements within the historical past of motor racing.
Accessible in 3-door hatch, 5-door hatch and John Cooper Works variants, the restricted version mannequin, just like the well-known giant-slaying rally automobile, is offered completely in Chili Pink with a white roof.
It comes with black rally-style auxiliary headlights matched completely to the automobile’s Piano Black exterior bundle. Cooper S variants get particular 17-inch John Cooper Works ‘Observe’ wheels, completed in black.
The John Cooper Works fashions get a singular 18-inch ‘Type 506’ wheels completed in gloss black. The unmistakable motif of Hopkirk’s coup was doubtless the successful automobile’s race quantity, with the quantity 37 emblazoned throughout its sides.
The 2021 MINI Paddy Hopkirk Version reimagines this in stylised type on the driving force and passenger doorways, in addition to aspect scuttles. The well-known quantity and letter mixture ‘33 EJB’ off the quantity plate of the 1964 Monte Carlo successful automobile can be right here.
It may be discovered on the bonnet strip in 3D impact graphics, together with stickers with the inscription ‘Paddy Hopkirk Monte Carlo’. A single white bonnet stripe on the driving force’s aspect, which bears the signature of the 1964 ‘Monte’ winner additionally options.
As well as, Hopkirk’s signature additionally seems on the tailgate and ornamental trim strip on the passenger aspect, and particular MINI LED entry sills additionally bear his title.
The MINI Paddy Hopkirk Version can be out there in strictly restricted numbers. Function packed and brimming with unique touches each in and out, it’s priced from $54,800 (plus on-roads).
followers can reserve a unit on-line by way of the MINI Australia web site now.
