MINI launches the Paddy Hopkirk edition

MINI has launched the Paddy Hopkirk Edition, a limited edition car in honour of the Northern Irish Rally Driver and inspired by the historic rally winning model.

Available as a Cooper S 3-Door, Cooper S 5-Door, and a MINI John Cooper Works, the special edition is finished in Chili Red with a white contrast roof and features the famous starting number 37 livery.

Patrick 'Paddy' Hopkirk clinched the first victory behind the wheel of the classic MINI Cooper S number 37 at the legendary Monte Carlo Rally in 1964.

Driving the small British car with his English Co-Pilot Henry Liddon, Hopkirk overcame the odds against competitors with significantly greater engine power.

The surprise win in Monte Carlo made Paddy Hopkirk the U.K.'s most famous rally driver overnight and the classic MINI advanced from outsider and crowd pleaser to becoming a motor racing legend.

With the MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition, MINI fans now have the opportunity to express their passion for racing. In the style of the historic rally winner, the edition model features the car's start number 37 on the driver and passenger doors. It also has 17-inch John Cooper Works light-alloy wheels in Track Spoke Black design and numerous other accentuations in dark colours.

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 bonnet opening, door handles, fuel filler flap, tailgate handle, the MINI logos at the front and rear as well as the surrounds for the head lights and rear lights.

On the inside, the car features the motorsport inspired Alcantara John Cooper Works steering wheel.

The start number 37 also appears on the side scuttles.

Other features on the exterior are 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, the famous number and letter combination 33 EJB of the number plate of the 1964 Monte Carlo winning car is shown on the bonnet strip using 3D effect graphics.

Hopkirk's signature also appears on the decorative trim strip on the passenger side, which forms part of the Piano Black high-gloss interior surfaces. Another exclusive design feature are the MINI LED 'Paddy Hopkirk' entry sills.

The MINI Navigation Pack and Comfort Pack are included in the MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition as well as auxiliary head lights in Piano Black, a key cap with the start number 37 and the Waistline Finisher in Piano Black for the trim strips between the body and the greenhouse.