Mini Australia has announced it will celebrate an important moment in its motorsport history with a new limited edition Cooper hatch.
Only 30 copies of this Mini Cooper JCW 1965 Victory Edition are set to arrive in Australia in the second quarter (April-June) of 2026 and will include 20 combustion engine models and 10 electric models of the brand’s John Cooper Works (JCW) performance hero.
Although the brand, now part of BMW, is a far cry from the original Mini, the 1965 Victory Edition is said to be “a modern homage” to the Mini Cooper S, which won the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally.
Inspired by the red and white Cooper S from 60 years ago, the special edition of the Cooper JCW is finished in the brand’s typical “Chili Red” exterior paint with a white stripe and roof and features several festive Easter eggs inside and out.
Daily Sparkz You can save thousands on a new car. Click Here to get a great deal.
Most noticeable is the white “52” graphic on the exterior, which references the original car’s race number.
There is also a subtle “1965” emblem on the outer C-pillar, while the white stripe with additional “1965” motifs extends over the entire length of the vehicle. Additionally, “AJB446,” the original car’s license plate, is discreetly hidden in the stripe on the hood.
On the outside, the 1965 Victory Edition can be equipped with an optional panoramic sunroof and, depending on the powertrain, two 18-inch alloy wheel designs. Petrol models get the two-tone “JCW Lap Spoke” design, while electric models get the “JCW Mastery Spoke” in black.
Other subtle external additions include floating wheel hubs with the “MINI” logo and edition-specific painted valve caps.
Additional “1965” graphics can be found on the Cooper’s illuminated door sills, the lower spoke of the steering wheel and the center console storage compartment. There is also a plaque on the inside of the doors that refers to the original car and its winning drivers.
The JCW-specific anthracite/red interior color remains unchanged, as do the mechanics of both JCW hatches.
The petrol Cooper JCW is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 170kW and 380Nm of power, propelling the car from 0-100km/h in a claimed 6.1 seconds.
The electric Cooper JCW E, on the other hand, features a front-mounted electric motor with outputs of up to 190kW and 350Nm, which equates to a 0-100km/h sprint time of 5.9 seconds. Both powertrains are exclusively front-wheel drive.
Mini says pricing will be announced closer to the model’s arrival, but we can expect a small premium over the regular JCW hatches for what is essentially a cosmetic package.
For comparison, the petrol three-door JCW Favorited costs $60,990 before on-roads, while the electric JCW E Favorited three-door costs $63,990 before on-roads.
The Mini Cooper’s roots date back to 1959, when racing team owner John Cooper began convincing automobile designer Alec Issigonis and the British Motor Corporation that a racing version of the original Mini subcompact car was feasible.
Successful production versions of the sporty Cooper came onto the market in 1961, before the car was entered in the prestigious Monte Carlo Rally in the following years. Although the Cooper was competing against significantly more powerful cars, the Cooper’s sharp handling and go-kart-like characteristics gave it an advantage on the winding stages of the rally.
The car won the event in 1964, 1965 and 1967, with the 1965 victory being the subject of the new, appropriately named 1965 Victory Edition. On this occasion the Cooper was driven by Timo Mäkinen and co-driver Paul Easter.
BMW acquired the rights to the Mini name when it bought its then parent company Rover in 1994. The original Mini remained in production until 2000, before the Mini brand was introduced by BMW in 2001 with a new generation sedan.
The reborn Mini Cooper is now in its fourth generation.
MORE: Explore the Mini Cooper showroom
