In 1961, John Cooper worked with the MINI brand to launch the very first Mini Cooper. To commemorate 60 years of this collaboration, MINI are producing 740 units of limited Anniversary Editions for the Cooper 3-Door, Cooper S 3-Door and John Cooper Works models.
These models have the following features:
- The number 74 is featured on bonnet and doors (same as featured on the first Mini Cooper’s first class win)
- Paint choices:
- Offered in British Racing Green metallic or Midnight Black metallic for 3-door models
- Rebel Green is avaiable for John Cooper Works model
- Roof, exterior mirror caps, door handles and surrounds for the headlights and rear lights in white
- Exterior trim elements in Piano Black high gloss
- interior trim in Piano Black high-gloss
- White bonnet stripes and a red accent line
- suspension with frequency-selective damping
- 18-inch John Cooper Works light-alloy wheels in Circuit Spoke 2-tone design
- “COOPER” logo on door sill trims, on the side scuttles, on the C-pillars and on the center spoke
- Nappa sports leather steering wheel
- John Cooper Works sports seats in Dinamica/leather Carbon Black finish
- anthracite-coloured headliner
- stainless steel pedal set
- Red ring on luggage compartment lid and the interior surface on the passenger side
- Signatures of John, Mike and Charlie Cooper on driver’s side of interior
- driver’s door frame with an emblem with John Cooper’s signature, the handwritten note “1 of 740” and the words “60 YEARS OF MINI COOPER – THE UNEXPECTED UNDERDOG”
- MINI Waistline Finisher in Piano Black
Here’s a summary of the John Cooper story.
PRESS RELEASE
MINI celebrates 60 years of collaboration with the Cooper Family. Joint commitment for maximum driving pleasure on the road and legendary success in racing. Edition vehicles are produced in a limited edition of 740 units worldwide as MINI Cooper, MINI Cooper S and MINI John Cooper Works.
The name John Cooper, born 98 years ago today, stands not only for great successes in Formula 1, but also for the traditional sporting spirit of the MINI brand. 60 years ago, John Cooper laid the foundations for a legendary racing victory in the classic Mini. It was the beginning of the collaboration between MINI and the Cooper Family that continues today. The shared tradition stretches from the very first Mini Cooper, launched in September 1961, to the sporty John Cooper Works models in the current model range.
To mark the anniversary, the British premium brand is presenting a special edition of the MINI 3-door that combines a return to history with state-of-the-art technology. The MINI Anniversary Edition is a tribute to John Cooper, who passed away in 2000, and a testament to how maximum driving pleasure is enjoyed in his name today, in the premium small car segment.
John Cooper earned his status as a racing pioneer as early as the 1950s and with his mid-engine sports cars, he revolutionised Formula 1. His idea, which is still used today, of placing the engine behind the driver instead of in front of him, helped Jack Brabham to secure two world championship titles in 1959 and 1960 in Formula 1 Cooper racing cars. With his penchant for unorthodox solutions, Cooper was similar to his friend and fellow designer Alec Issigonis, who in turn had caused a revolution in the small car segment with the classic Mini. John Cooper immediately recognised the sporting potential of the compact four-seater and initiated the construction of a small series of vehicles with larger brakes and an increased engine output from 34 to 55 hp. The Mini Cooper was born and became an instant success. The Cooper brand and the name lettering surrounded by a red ring now became famous. Two years later, the even more powerful Mini Cooper S followed, which laid the foundation for three overall victories at the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964, 1965 and 1967.
From then on, Cooper tuning kits for the brand’s production vehicles enjoyed growing popularity. And even before the market launch of the modern MINI in 2001, the John Cooper Works brand was created. With this brand, John Michael “Mike” Cooper, the son of the Formula 1 team boss, continued the cooperation with MINI.
Since 2008, John Cooper Works models have been at the top of the MINI range as top athletes – now with up to 225 kW/306 hp and suspension technology developed with racing know-how. The joint sporting career of MINI and John Cooper Works has been obvious in recent times by six overall successes in the Dakar Rally. In the latest generation, Charlie Cooper contributes, as a racing driver and brand ambassador, to continue the collaboration between his family and MINI.
