MINI Cooper S MC40 Celebrates Monte Carlo Rally Victory
MINI INTRODUCES COMMEMORATIVE EDITION MINI COOPER S MC40
Limited Production Model Celebrates 40TH Anniversary of MINI'S 1964 Monte Carlo Win
Chicago, IL - February 4th, 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.
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
comes 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 - The Making of a Legend
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.
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 racing, just like it made things more than difficult for the usual "tough guys" on race
circuits the world over. There was truly no other car in the market able to offer the same kind of
sporting performance for so little money and providing outstanding driving pleasure within such
compact dimensions.
Forty years on nothing has changed: The features which once took the classic Mini to victory in that
historic race to Monaco remain the basic ingredients of the MINI today. With its compact exterior
dimensions, the new MINI simply whisks around corners, resting solidly on its wide track and long
wheelbase. In particular, however, every driver given the opportunity to take the wheel of a MINI will
feel immediately why entering the Monte Carlo Rally would indeed be a wonderful experience. Both
generations of MINI clearly stand out from all other cars in precisely the same way. They are
extremely agile and posses go-kart-like reflexes.
The MINI Cooper S MC40 - A Salute to History
Competitors could not miss the distinctive red and white colors and tidy dimensions of the Mini that
wrote history in 1964. Taking cues from the winning car, the same colors adorn the MINI Cooper S
MC40. Special commemorative markings on the car include the famous "33-EJB" on the bonnet
and a special 40th anniversary rally graphic on both the bonnet and rear quarters. The car proudly
wears special magnetic door plaques with the unmistakable white and black "number 37". The
plaques stay securely in place at speed, but can be easily removed if needed.
The MINI Cooper S MC40 comes with a set of distinctive 17-inch, multi-spoke alloy wheels. The
two-piece wheels are finished in anthracite gray and feature a polished aluminum lip. Other special
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equipment includes rally-style driving lights with chrome bezels, a chrome grille, mirror caps and
rear boot handle. A tasteful 'GB' insignia adorns the rear boot lid, paying tribute to the car's place-
of-origin in Oxford, England.
The standard equipment list also includes a sport package with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC),
front and rear fog lights, on-board computer and Xenon headlamps with power wash - features a
rally driver could have only dreamed of in 1964.
In the cabin, the dash panel is clad in genuine, lightweight carbon fiber and the seats wear striking
red and black leather upholstery unique to this model. A special gauge package is mounted in the
center console and indicates voltage and oil temperature. The shift knob features a 40th
Anniversary Monte Carlo insignia and has a satin aluminum finish. The interior also features a thick
leather wrapped, three-spoke sport wheel and all-weather rubber floor mats to protect the carpets
from would-be rally drivers' shoes.
To round out the unique features included in the MINI Cooper S MC40, there is a special numbered
commemorative plate in the center console indicating the exclusivity of each car.
"We have created this car to mark a great event in MINI's history", stated Jack Pitney, Vice
President, MINI USA. "The 1964 Monte Carlo victory was the event that put MINI on the map to
become a lasting motoring icon and the MINI Cooper S MC40 pays a fitting tribute to our rich
heritage."
BMW Group In America
BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. ROLLS-ROYCE
Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has
grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand, the MINI
brand, and the ROLLS-ROYCE brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, an industrial design firm in
California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country.
BMW Manufacturing Corp. in South Carolina is part of BMW Group's global manufacturing network
and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all Z4 roadster and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles. The
BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 340 BMW
passenger car centers, 327 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 148 BMW motorcycle retailers,
73 MINI passenger car dealers, and 25 ROLLS-ROYCE Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding
Corp., the BMW Group's sales headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in
Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.
