Mini has gone all-in on heritage with its latest special edition: the 1965 Victory Edition. This model pays homage to the Mini Cooper S that won the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally, driven by Timo Makinen and Paul Easter. In the U.S., the 1965 Victory Edition is based on the John Cooper Works model. That means it uses a 2.0-liter turbo-four with 228 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. It can sprint to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds, according to Mini.
On the outside, the Mini 1965 Victory Edition features the same Chili Red exterior color as the winning car. It features a white stripe that extends from the hood all the way to the rear of the vehicle. It also features a distinct “52” graphic on each side, a reference to the number that the original car campaigned in back in 1965. Additionally, a panoramic glass roof comes standard, as does a contrasting Gazed White roof, completing the two-tone treatment. On the C-pillar, 1965 stickers emphasize the winning year. Meanwhile, two-tone 18-inch JCW Lap Spoke alloy wheels, floating wheel center caps, and JCW valve stem caps all add to the sporty vibes.
Mini 1965 Victory Edition: Reminders Galore
Open the door and door sills with 1965 lettering and a red and black background greet you. The inside edge of the door also has a placard commemorating the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally. Everything else inside features the same racy black and red interior as a standard JCW. However, it does have specific details like a 1965 lettering on the storage box and the six o’clock spoke of the steering wheel. Additionally, the key also has a 1965 lettering on it.
The Mini 1965 Victory Edition will be sold in limited numbers in the U.S. for $47,395. That’s around the same ballpark as more powerful sport compacts like a Toyota GR Corolla, Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R, Subaru WRX, and Honda Civic Type R. Additionally, it’s more expensive than the sportier and more raucous Hyundai Elantra N.
Source: Mini
