MINI has launched the Paddy Hopkirk special edition model as a way to commemorate its iconic victory at the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally. This edition was created in honour of Patrick “Paddy” Hopkirk, who was 30-years-old at the time when he took the chequered flag in car number 37.
Available in select markets from October
2020, the Paddy Hopkirk Edition is available as the Cooper S 3-Door, Cooper S
5-Door, and John Cooper Works variants. Standard features include the Chili Red
exterior paint with white roof, a clear nod to the original #37.
A set of 17-inch John Cooper Works
light-alloy wheels in Track Spoke Black or 18-inch JCW Cross Spoke Jet Black
can be had, whereas other exterior components are such as the radiator grille,
lower air intakes, bonnet “vent” surrounds, door handles, fuel filler flap,
tailgate handle, headlights and tail lights surrounds, and side mirror caps are
all finished in high gloss black. Smaller details include the number 37 on the
side scuttles, “Paddy Hopkirk Monte Carlo” stickers, as well as a single white
bonnet stripe with the race-winning car’s “33 EJB” number plate on the driver’s
side. Hopkirk’s signature is also used throughout the exterior and interior of
the car.
The MINI Excitement Package and Comfort
Access are included as standard. The key fob also gets embellished with the
number 37, and customers get to further equip the car with all the options that
are offered with the MINI hatch. No changes have been made to the powertrain.
Paddy Hopkirk’s victory in Monte Carlo made him the UK’s most famous rally
driver overnight. The MINI that he drove was handicapped in the sense that its
competitors were significantly more powerful, but crucial factors such as icy
roads, round tight corners and steep slopes gave MINI’s agile characteristics
the upper hand. Not forgetting Hopkirk’s driving skills too, of course.
