I may be a little closer to this story than most, because I still own my first car, a classic Mini — a fired-up Clubman variant with all the hot cams, polished ports, Weber side drafts and other period-correct bits, including Paddy Hopkirk signature gear. Paddy’s life was one tremendous achievement, ushering in significant moments in motorsport history and putting the little car with the big attitude on the map.
They laughed when someone slapped race numbers on the doors at its first event, especially when the competition was mainly big four-door sedans. They weren’t laughing when it won the Monte Carlo Rally on 21 January 1964. The classic 1071cc Mini Cooper S in Tartan Red made history, beating the more powerful V8-powered Ford Falcon.
The rally started in Minsk, Belarus, and made its way to Monte Carlo in the South of France. The journey of 6 400km took four days, an impressive feat even today.