Number 37 is back on the starting line.
In order to celebrate the first success of the iconic Mini at the legendary Monte Carlo Rally in 1964, the MINI Paddy Hopkirk Version, now available in the MINI Cooper S 3 Door and MINI Cooper S 5 Door versions, MINI Asia and Eurokars Habitat are proud to launch five units of an exclusive special model.
Fifty-seven years have passed, but the memory of the great victory of the compact car with starting number 37 has scarcely faded. In 1964, at the famed Monte Carlo Rally, the classic Mini Cooper S claimed the first of three overall victories.
At the wheel: Patrick ‘Paddy’ Hopkirk, a 30-year-old Northern Irish rally driver. In his honour, MINI is now offering an edition model with special features of design and equipment to commemorate one of the most impressive achievements in international motor racing history.
One unmistakable reminder of the Hopkirk coup in the classic Mini is the start number 37 of the winning vehicle, which is featured in elegant form on the version model’s driver and passenger doors. Like the famous starting number and the strong engine, the Chili Red body finish and the version model’s white roof are inspired by the historical model.
In the Mini Cooper S, Hopkirk’s triumphant run was frenetically celebrated by on-site spectators and motor racing fans in the UK. Hopkirk, driving the tiny British car with his English co-pilot Henry Liddon, beat the odds against rivals with considerably higher engine speed.
The handicap formula in place at the time meant that there was some compensation for variations in weight and performance within the starting area. But the agility and durability of the Mini Cooper S and Hopkirk driving skills were the main factors in the demanding chase over country roads and mountain passes, through ice snow, round tight corners and down steep slopes.
The surprise win in Monte Carlo made Paddy Hopkirk the UK’s most famous rally driver overnight. At the same time, the classic Mini advanced from outsider and crowd pleaser to being a motor racing legend. This status was underpinned in the years that followed when the Mini Cooper S dominated the Monte Carlo Rally. Hopkirk’s Finnish team mates Timo Mäkinen and Rauno Aaltonen added two more outright victories to the title collection in 1965 and 1967.
Toyota Hilux Warning Lights on Dash
The winning streak at the Monte Carlo Rally continues to inspire MINI fans all over the world to this day. With the MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition, they now have the opportunity to express their passion for racing in a particularly authentic way. The edition model combines its exterior paintwork in the style of the historic rally winner in a market-specific manner with 17-inch John Cooper Works light-alloy wheels in Track Spoke Black design and numerous other accentuations in dark colours.
The radiator grille frame and horizontal brace are finished in high-gloss black, as are the lower air intake inserts, the opening in the bonnet, the door handles, the fuel filler flap, the tailgate handle, the front and rear MINI logos, as well as the headlights and rear light surrounds.
Other exclusive features that set the MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition apart from the standard MINI Cooper S variant include the John Cooper Works aerodynamic kit with rear spoiler, John Cooper Works Dinamica Leather Carbon Black upholstery, John Cooper Works steering wheel with paddle shifters, and an anthracite headliner for an extra sporty feel.
The starting number 37 also appears on the elements of the side indicator known as side scuttles. The LED headlights and rear lights in Union Jack style, stickers with the inscription “Paddy Hopkirk Monte Carlo” and a single white bonnet stripe on the left side of the bonnet are other unmistakable features on the exterior, which bears the signature of the 1964 “Monte” winner like the tailgate of the edition model. In addition, on the bonnet strip, using 3D effect graphics, the famous number and letter combination 33 EJB of the number plate of the 1964 Monte Carlo winning car is seen.
On the decorative trim strip on the passenger side, which is part of the high-gloss interior surfaces of Piano Black, Hopkirk’s signature also appears. The MINI LED entry sills bearing the name “Paddy Hopkirk” are another exclusive design feature.
In the MINI Paddy Hopkirk Version, the MINI Excitement kit and Comfort Access are also included. For the trim strips between the body and the greenhouse, auxiliary headlights in Piano Black, a key cap with start number 37, and the Waistline Finisher in Piano Black are all standard.
MINI Connected.
The basic MINI Connected application for the MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition provides an extremely wide range of digital services that allow the car to be seamlessly incorporated into the everyday digital routine of the driver.
The Real Time Traffic Information service is a particularly useful feature, offering the latest traffic information so that drivers can identify and bypass traffic bottlenecks on their journey. Dependent on the traffic conditions on the route taken, it also increases the precision of the predicted travel time.
Throughout the ride,’ Weather’ and ‘News’ vehicle apps provide data and entertainment, and drivers can even ask the car to read the latest news.
The Natural Language Understanding feature enables drivers to operate certain functions of the car by speaking, and the system has a processing speed of just a few seconds.
Teleservices by MINI delivers greater convenience and efficient servicing processes. As soon as a service is required, the service-related data is automatically transferred to the MINI Centre via the Automatic Teleservice Call. A representative will retrieve this data, analyse it, and contact the driver to arrange a service or maintenance appointment.
Especially useful when the driver is not near the car is the Remote Services feature. For instance, if the windows are not completely closed or the doors are locked, all he has to do is check the status of the MINI Connected smartphone app (available for Apple and Android devices). Via the app, car doors can be locked and unlocked remotely. The driver is also able to cool down the car on an especially hot day by switching on the air ventilation feature through the app long before he gets to the driver’s seat. Other useful information is also expressed in the app, such as the fuel level of the vehicle.
The Intelligent Emergency Call feature comes in handy for quick emergency assistance at the click of a button for greater peace of mind. If the driver gets into an accident or sees a car that needs urgent assistance, a call is made directly to the BMW Community Call Centre with key vehicle details, such as the exact location as well as the airbags and front seat belts status. The device can also make the call automatically if necessary.
About The Author
Ibrar Ayyub
I am an experienced technical writer holding a Master's degree in computer science from BZU Multan, Pakistan University. With a background spanning various industries, particularly in home automation and engineering, I have honed my skills in crafting clear and concise content. Proficient in leveraging infographics and diagrams, I strive to simplify complex concepts for readers. My strength lies in thorough research and presenting information in a structured and logical format.
Follow Us:LinkedinTwitter