Shortly after its release tot h public, the Morris Mini Cooper was recognized as a possibly excellent rally car, due to its positive performance on slippery surfaces. The annual Monte Carlo Rally is held during the harsh winters of Europe and this little car was so easy to handle on snowy surfaces because of its front wheel drive, that a number of them began to be built up for racing. The famed Porsche 911 could easily overtake it on a dry course, but the Mini soon overtakes it on the curves and wet slippery surfaces. The Mini Cooper's first Monte Carlo win was in 1964, and then they did it again in 1965. They also won the next year in 66, taking the first three places, but were disqualified when they were found to have aux-lights that were against the rules of that time. They came back again in 1967 with Aaltonen and Liddon winning in a Mini Cooper 1275S, thereby affirming and atoning for the previous years of disgrace of disqualification. During this race, 4 aux-lights were mounted in front of the radiator grill, and the racing number plate (177) was moved to just above the windshield. On its roof was mounted a carrier to haul the spare tires required. This race required a use of no more than eight tires with all of them carried on or within the car itself. Both the front and rear windshields had defrosters added for the cold climate of the race. Yes, the Mini won again, and it is interesting to note that no British car has won the Monte Carlo rally since then.

Suggested Paint Colors

X-10 - Gun Metal X-11 - Chrome Silver X-18 - Semi Gloss Black X-2 - White X-26 - Clear Orange X-27 - Clear Red X-5 - Green X-6 - Orange X-7 - Red X-8 - Lemon Yellow X-9 - Brown XF-1 - Flat Black XF-10 - Flat Brown XF-16 - Flat Aluminum XF-19 - Sky Grey XF-2 - Flat White XF-20 - Medium Grey XF-5 - Flat Green XF-56 - Metallic Grey XF-9 - Hull Red