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MINI Cooper S MC40
40 Years Ago the Mini Ruled Monte Carlo

February 20, 2004

MINI USA announces the debut of the MINI Cooper S MC40. This limited-production commemorative edition celebrates the 40th anniversary of MINI's win of the famed Monte Carlo Rally in 1964 - a victory that forever changed the reputation of MINI to that of a true motorsport legend.

MINI Cooper S

The MINI Cooper S MC40 possesses all the distinctive visual characteristics that connects this limited production model to that of its historic predecessor. With only 1,000 units planned, the limited production MC40 comes with a set list of standard equipment and special features and will appear only in Chili Red with a white roof - the signature colors of the winning car. Customers are able to order the MINI Cooper S MC40 at dealers with expected delivery by April, 2004. MSRP will be about $27,000 including $550 for destination.

The MINI Cooper S MC40 possesses all the distinctive visual characteristics that connects this limited production model to that of its historic predecessor. With only 1,000 units planned, the limited production MC40 comes with a set list of standard equipment and special features and will appear only in Chili Red with a white roof - the signature colors of the winning car. Customers are able to order the MINI Cooper S MC40 at dealers with expected delivery by April, 2004. MSRP will be about $27,000 including $550 for destination.

MINI and the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally

What makes this limited edition so special is the historic event the MINI Cooper S MC40 commemorates. The 1964 Monte Carlo victory heralded the car as a worthy motorsport competitor and set the Mini on a course to become a motoring icon lasting 40 years to this very day.

1964 Monte Carlo Mini Rally Car

The date was January 17th, 1964 and the Monte Carlo Rally was becoming more challenging than ever with the entry of well-organized factory teams. Competition for the Mini was stiff with bigger, more powerful cars from Ford, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo to Citroen, Saab and other pedigree challengers.

Piloted by fearless rally driver Paddy Hopkirk and his skilled navigator, Henry Liddon, the pint-sized Mini overcame great odds in all sorts of challenging conditions. Ice, twisty mountain passes, darkness and above all, formidable challengers, made for an exciting, flat-out drive for the team. On snowy sections of the route, the Mini's nimble handling and front-wheel-drive proved advantageous over the more powerful, albeit heavier, larger rear-wheel-drive competition. In the final moments of the rally on the Grand Prix circuit, Paddy and the pint-sized Mini were tenacious, pulling a victory over the second place contender by little more than 30 points.

It certainly was the sensation in the rally season that year: A small red David with a white roof proudly showed its tailpipe to all those ultra-powerful Goliaths, clinching overall victory in the Monte Carlo Rally. And in this "big bang", the tiny little car immediately became a legend.

Originally conceived as an inexpensive and economical means of transportation, the Mini had been transformed into the hot-blooded Mini Cooper and Mini Cooper S thanks to the legendary John Cooper of Formula 1 fame. John recognized the Mini's excellent attributes as a quick and nimble performer with great potential on the motorsport circuits. The Mini Cooper and Mini Cooper S clearly stood out as the "every man's sports car".

Wherever the Mini - either in standard trim or in highly modified form - appeared at the start of a race, it was always good for a genuine surprise. Indeed, the Mini wrote many a headline in the world of rally

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