Three weeks ago we exclusively revealed MINI were planning on building a run of 50-100 limited edition MINIs to mark the 50th Anniversary of John Cooper’s first victorious F1 season. Now we can reveal a little more about this strictly limited edition MINI.
100 examples of the vehicle have been pencilled in for production, names of interested customers are expected to be taken at this years MINI United where a pre-production version of the car will be on show. If not sold out on the spot at MINI United, the MINI John Cooper F1 will also be on sale through the regular MINI dealer network. With only 100 cars due for production, those who are desperate to get hold of one may wish to register interest in any way shape or form possible to avoid disappointment, but don’t be surprised if your request is greeted with a blank or confused expression from your MINI sales rep at this early stage.
Our sources have confirmed the JCW F1 limited edition will, as previously reported, come in an exclusive shade of non-metallic racing green named “John Cooper Green” complimented by a contrasting pepper white roof and bonnet stripes to reflect the livery of the John Cooper F1 racing cars. The tailgate, spoiler and wing mirrors will be finished in carbon to add to the sporting exterior appearance. Wheels will be 17″ alloy wheels in graphite grey, as appears the current trend in performance orientated vehicles. The basic specification of the car will be carried over from the MINI John Cooper Works, including the John Cooper Works Aero Kit, and all the usual options will be available for customers to spec if they so desire. Cars could be with their lucky owners as early as September 2009.
The interior of the John Cooper F1 MINI will offer a sporty yet luxurious contrast to the exterior in rooster red leather with the wonderfully tactile John Cooper Works sports steering wheel fitted as standard. The car will indeed feature some unique badging and a commemorative, numbered plaque of authenticity, of which Mike Cooper has reportedly been involved in the design. John Cooper Works branding will be prevalent around both the interior and exterior of the car.
Historically, this car is probably closest to the 1998 Mini Cooper Sports LE produced by Rover to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Mini winning the British Touring Car Championship. Production was strictly limited to 100 vehicles destined only for the UK and Japanese market, and one of the two optional exterior finishes was a non metallic green marketed under the monicker “Brooklands Green”.
A version of the car has reportedly now been spotted rolling of the production line of BMW Group Plant Oxford, thanks to it’s tell tale paint finish, which indicates MINIs determination to show the car at the MINIs 50th birthday festival at Silverstone, from where we at theSwitchback will be reporting, tweeting, and generally overdosing on MINI goodness.
Tags: Cooper Car Company, F1, JCW WC50, JCW World Championship 50, John Cooper F1 50th Anniversary Edition, limited edition, MINI JCW WC50, MINI JCW World Championship 50, mini john cooper works, MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50, MINI WC50
[...] from our exclusive on the new car three weeks ago, here’s a little more to whet your appetites… John Cooper F1 50th Anniversary update | theSwitchback MINI News & Reviews – MINI Flickring – MINI Tweeting – MINI Charity [...]
The John cooper Le was produced in 1999, rover made 300 of them. 25 cars were converted to s works spec ie 90 bhp by john cooper garages. All cars were brooklands green with red leather interior.