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New MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition takes inspiration from 1964 Monte Carlo Rally

Chris Teague

Chris Teague

The new MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition is named after a famed Irish rally driver.

Down country roads, up mountains passes, through ice and snow, and around tight corners. The 1964 Monte Carlo Rally was the stuff of legends – a David versus Goliath story – and its winner surprised most everyone. Irish rally driver Patrick “Paddy” Hopkirk and his English co-pilot Henry Liddon took home the winner’s trophy in a MINI Cooper S.

Overnight, Hopkirk became the U.K.’s most famous rally driver. The MINI too made a transformation becoming known as both rally and on-road competent. It was the brand recognition still automakers dream of when they enter their models in rally across the world, like the annual Rebelle Rally in the U.S., which was won by a Rolls-Royce Cullinan last year.

Paddy Hopkirk poses with the trophy he won at the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally next to the car bearing his name.Photo courtesy of MINI

It’s been 56 years since that victory. MINI will commemorate the win this year with the 2021 MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition. Based on the Mini Cooper S Hardtop 2 Door model, the special edition will have features inspired by the rally-winning Mini.

The modifications for the special edition start at the roof where it wears a white paint job then moves down to the body of the vehicle, which is painted in Chili Red. The rig rides on 17-inch John Cooper Works light-alloy wheels that feature a Track Spoke Black design. The frame and horizontal brace of the radiator grille are finished in high-gloss black, as are the inserts for the lower air intakes, the opening in the hood, the door handles, the fuel filler flap, the tailgate handle, the MINI logos at the front and rear as well as the surrounds for the headlights and rear lights.

The side scuttles wear the number 37, just as Hopkirk’s MINI did during its race. In a modern twist, the car adds LED headlights and Union Jack embellished taillights to the mix.

Hopkirk’s name is shown throughout the model. There are tickers with the inscription “Paddy Hopkirk Monte Carlo”. A single white hood stripe on the driver’s side, which like the tailgate and decorative trim strip on the passenger side of the edition model, bears the signature of the 1964 “Monte” winner. MINI LED entry sills bearing the name “Paddy Hopkirk”.

Additionally, the number and letter combination 33 EJB of the license plate of the 1964 Monte Carlo winning car is shown on the bonnet strip using 3D effect graphics.

The MINI Excitement Package and Comfort Access are also included in the MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition, which will be available at U.S. dealerships in November. Pricing has yet to be announced.

2021 MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition

2021 MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition

Photo courtesy of MINI

2021 MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition

2021 MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition

Photo courtesy of MINI

2021 MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition

2021 MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition

Photo courtesy of MINI

2021 MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition

2021 MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition

Photo courtesy of MINI

2021 MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition

2021 MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition

Photo courtesy of MINI

2021 MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition

2021 MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition

Photo courtesy of MINI

2021 MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition

2021 MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition

Photo courtesy of MINI

2021 MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition

2021 MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition

Photo courtesy of MINI

2021 MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition

2021 MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition

Photo courtesy of MINI

2021 MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition

2021 MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition

Photo courtesy of MINI

2021 MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition

2021 MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition

Photo courtesy of MINI

2021 MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition

2021 MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition

Photo courtesy of MINI

2021 MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition

2021 MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition

Photo courtesy of MINI

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