MINI 1965 Victory Edition Marks Monte Carlo Legacy

BMW Group presents the MINI 1965 Victory Edition, honoring the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally win with modern Cooper S, JCW and electric versions. Learn more.

MINI returns to one of the most defining chapters in its motorsport history — the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally victory. That year, Timo Mäkinen and Paul Easter drove the Mini Cooper S bearing number 52 to an overall win without incurring a single penalty point, cementing the small British car’s reputation on the world stage.

The achievement is now reinterpreted through the new MINI 1965 Victory Edition. The model directly references the original car registered AJB 44B and wearing race number 52 — the same number under which Mäkinen and Easter claimed victory in January 1965. The rally itself was remembered for severe blizzard conditions and remains one of the most dramatic editions of the mid-1960s.

MINI had already tasted success in Monte Carlo in 1964 with Paddy Hopkirk. Yet it was the 1965 triumph that firmly established the car’s ability to challenge and defeat far more powerful competitors. A further win followed in 1967 with Rauno Aaltonen, shaping MINI’s enduring image as the unlikely hero of rallying’s golden era.

The modern tribute is offered in three variants: MINI Cooper S, MINI John Cooper Works and MINI John Cooper Works Electric, covering both combustion and fully electric drivetrains.

The MINI Cooper S features a 2.0-litre four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo engine producing 204 hp and 300 Nm of torque, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds. The John Cooper Works version delivers 231 hp and 380 Nm, reaching 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds. Meanwhile, the all-electric MINI John Cooper Works Electric produces up to 258 hp and completes the sprint in 5.9 seconds.

Visually, the edition is finished in Chili Red, echoing the racing colours of the 1960s. A white stripe runs from bonnet to roof and rear, while the iconic number 52 graphic appears on the sides. A discreet “1965” marking on the C-pillar reinforces the historical reference. Eighteen-inch JCW wheels and model-specific accents underline the performance character.

Inside, the historical theme continues. The “1965” lettering appears on the door sills and interior elements, and the key cap carries the victorious Cooper S race number. The cabin follows the traditional JCW colour palette, combining anthracite and red for a clear visual link to the brand’s rally heritage.

The MINI 1965 Victory Edition will be available from March 2026, with European markets following from July.

The launch also reflects MINI’s broader transformation. The brand continues expanding its electric portfolio, including the latest generation models — combustion variants coded F66 and the fully electric J01. Previous corporate announcements outlined an ambition to transition towards fully electric production by 2030, adding further symbolic weight to a heritage edition that bridges Monte Carlo’s snow-covered stages with contemporary electrified performance.