Mini delivers Paddy Hopkirk Edition car the man it was named after

Mini has offered rally racing legend Patrick “Paddy” Hopkirk one particular of the to start with special version Cooper S styles impressed by his thrilling victory at the 1964 Rally Monte Carlo. The Paddy Hopkirk Limited Edition has a output run of just 100 models in the U.K., with “a few hundred” much more coming to the U.S.

Fifty-6 several years in the past, the authentic Morris Mini Cooper S reached the unthinkable with Hopkirk and navigator Henry Liddon driving the wheel of a Mk I. It gained the Rally Monte Carlo total. The race snaked by means of the French Alps and ended with laps all over the Monaco Grand Prix circuit, but the Mini’s nimbleness and tiny dimensions and proved to be pros in the snowy and slender mountain streets. It was a great feat towards much more impressive competitors from Mercedes-Benz, Saab, Volvo, Citroën and Ford’s V8 Falcon.

Hopkirk phone calls it a “David and Goliath” victory, particularly with the income other automakers have been paying on the occasion. “We have been overwhelmed by the large American cars and trucks down the straights, but we would beat them on the twisty bits!” he reminisced upon having supply.

The Paddy Hopkirk Limited Edition sees no general performance upgrades, holding the turbocharged, 2.-liter 4-cylinder capable of 189 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. Both of those 6-speed manuals and a 7-speed automated are available, but the matter that sets it apart are the Chili Crimson and white roof colorway with the amount 37 on the doors, a tribute to the profitable rally car’s livery. An offset white hood stripe with the code “33 EJB” in it hearkens back to Hopkirk’s car’s registration amount.

“I’m so flattered to have a Mini named in my honor.” Hopkirk said upon obtaining the motor vehicle. “Motorsport is prolonged driving me now and for my gain at the Monte Carlo Rally to be remembered in this way is a fantastic thrill and honor.”