MINI to Launch John Cooper F1 Limited Edition

Sections: 50th Anniversary | JCW | JCW WC50 | Rumor Apr 29th, 2009 66 Comments

MINI will be producing a very limited edition JCW just in time for the 50th anniversary of John Cooper’s first F1 car. It’s taken a few weeks but we’ve now verified the rumor (first reported by theswitchback) from several sources across the globe. Expect the car to feature the JCW drivetrain, aerokit and some exclusive F1 badging throughout the car. But the most obvious exclusive feature of the car will be non-metallic British Racing Green exterior paint paired with the pepper white roof and mirrors.

We can also exclusively report that the first pre-production F1 was completed earlier this week at the Oxford Plant and was quickly spotted due to it’s exclusive paint color. We expect this very car to appear at MINI United but in a very special exclusive unveiling not tied to the Camden and Mayfair special editions.

It’s unclear in what markets we should expect the F1 but with quanities as low as 50-100 units don’t be surprised if some major markets miss out.

Look for more information in the coming days.

Written By: Gabe

66 Comments

Timothy Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Love the color!

Andrew Zimmerman Apr 29th, 2009 Link

I think that a lot of people have been waiting for a non-metallic BRG.

Philip Hubertus Apr 29th, 2009 Link

The color looks really, really nice. Can’t wait to see more pictures.

Gregory Kaufman Apr 29th, 2009 Link

I like the color from what it looks like in the above photo. Definitely looking forward to seeing more… Interesting – this will be more exclusive than the JCW GP based on the limited unit production.

Blainestang Apr 29th, 2009 Link

MINI owners have been begging for a non-metallic BRG for years. Glad to see it’s finally happening.

I wonder if the color will eventually trickle down to the “regular” MINI’s?

It looks great.

Robb Clifford Apr 29th, 2009 Link

LOVE the color… too bad I JUST picked up my BRG R56 =|

Well, maybe by the time I need a new one, this color will make it’s way to ‘regular’ MINIs.

Daniel Bennett Apr 29th, 2009 Link

I love it!!!!

Minipuma Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Fantastic color.

Theswitchback article linked above says that the roof and mirrors will be Pepper White (or, “off-white”), not the standard white that we’re accustomed to on Cooper roofs.

eager2own Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Another vote “yes” — very nice.

(although overall — as someone who was expecting a big release for the 50th (both of Mini and now the F1) with something akin to the GP — the release of badging and limited-color packages has been a huge disappointment… the big 50th Anniversary has really fizzled out: another wasted opportunity)

eto Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Wow.. Just… Wow!

bee1000 Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Regarding the color: Please open the photo so you can see where it says “(Unofficial mock-up)” underneath it.

hank chinaski Apr 29th, 2009 Link

fab. the color’s great. naturally. it needs an exclusive interior leather, perhaps.

& too bad they couldn’t offer a tuning punch. maybe they’ll throw-in goggles, helemt & racing boots!

JonPD Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Cool, will be looking forward to seeing more shots on this car. I think a better offering than the other two packages being released to celebrate the 50th. I personally will stick with my GP however. Good to see a nod toward history.

MikeJCW Apr 29th, 2009 Link

The classic Mini Cooper John Cooper LE was a limited version built in 1999 in Brooklands Green/White with a Grenadine Red leather interior. Perhaps the new F1 will also feature a dark red or burgundy interior?

Mk1 Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Great idea, love the color, and the idea of a specal salute to John Cooper’s F1, and 50 years of Mini. But only 50 to 100 units? What’s the point? Like Eager says, a total waste. BMW/MINI really has abandoned the loyal MINI enthusiasts. All marketing hype and no payoff.

lavardera Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Sweet color, but bummed that this likely means that non metallic BRG will not come widely available as its been dedicated to this special edition.

fdavid Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Maybe Gabe and the real pros can say more about this but I heard from Aleks at Mini Manhattan that there wont be a GP this time around since the last one was a financial disaster for them. The F1 JCW looks promising!

O(=^=)O Capn Apr 29th, 2009 Link

I just spit all over my screen. that is too sweet for words!

Gabe Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Maybe Gabe and the real pros can say more about this but I heard from Aleks at Mini Manhattan that there wont be a GP this time around since the last one was a financial disaster for them. The F1 JCW looks promising!

Yeah we’ve mentioned in the past that there won’t be a car quite like the GP this time around with dedicated engineering and production facilities. In fact given the state of the automotive economy I wouldn’t expect something like that for a long long time. However there will be another limited edition JCW car for enthusiasts that will be similar to the GP.

CarNut Apr 29th, 2009 Link

I want that!

TOM Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Great!

Let me guess….MSRP = $35k???

Axel Griesinger Apr 29th, 2009 Link

i bet: 40k euro

Eric Apr 29th, 2009 Link

How will the MINI F1 compare to the MINI GP? Performance, Features, overall ZexAppeal?

JonPD Apr 29th, 2009 Link

What should be interesting is if they pass off the F1 Mini with the base suspension like they did with the rest of the JCW brand. The last thing the world needs is another JCW wallowing through the corners on the track.

Josh Hway Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Is there going to be any boost in power? If there is or not, it looks great!

joe Apr 29th, 2009 Link

i personally im looking for a works within the next month. i just might be puting a deposit on this. when i hear its around 35k, im running to the dealer.

minimalist Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Would have thought it unlikely to have F1 as part of title as strongly gaurded trademark of Ecclestone/FIA. Sure looks cute in that colour though only a mock up.

dc11r Apr 29th, 2009 Link

i’ll put money down its just a normal JCW at best, with a special interior and paint job. it will still have the same suspension as a normal JCW, and no extra JCW bits. and will cost at least $5000 more over a comparably equipped JCW.

Jon Apr 29th, 2009 Link

I’m a fan of the idea of this, and finally getting a non-metallic, (i.e. TRUE) British Racing Green, but I am again left wanting. Howabout a moderate increase in horsepower with this most rare version? You can’t tweak the ECU to pump out 15 more turbocharged horsies, MINI?

Come on… make it a truly unique, special, special edition car. This should be the most powerful MINI ever made, just like the GP was when that came out.

dc11r Apr 29th, 2009 Link

at the very least, JCW suspension and brake ducts at the front… and recaros… otherwise its a shame to call it “f1″

REPORT: MINI to launch Special Edition F1 Cooper at MINI United - Teamspeed.com Apr 29th, 2009 Link

[...] [...]

REPORT: MINI to launch Special Edition F1 Cooper at MINI United | TopOneNews.Com Apr 29th, 2009 Link

[...] [Source: MotoringFile] [...]

mike Apr 29th, 2009 Link

droool.

Augie05 Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Only 50-100 units? This must be a misprint. If true, this is for marketing only…. not for real customers.

REPORT: MINI to launch Special Edition F1 Cooper at MINI United | Stoth Apr 29th, 2009 Link

[...] [Source: MotoringFile] [...]

Noresize » Blog Archive » MINI John Cooper F1 Special Edition In Works For MINI United [Mini Cooper] Apr 29th, 2009 Link

[...] was previously just a rumor has now grown some legs according to the MotoringFile. They’re reporting that the new limited edition was spotted on the Oxford Plant line this [...]

Blahoogle Automobile - The Quickest Way to Explore the World Automobile Everyday » REPORT: MINI to launch Special Edition F1 Cooper at MINI United Apr 29th, 2009 Link

[...] [Source: MotoringFile] [...]

Kevin Chau Apr 29th, 2009 Link

i LIKE IT!

Crashton Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Nice colors!!! Finally a switch from Bavarian racing green to a true BRG. About time. I hope the color becomes available on all MINI’s.

Mike Roberts Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Now if they can just get Apple to design the interface.

Michael Apr 29th, 2009 Link

BMW recently produced a limited edition 135i “Sauber F1 Edition” to commemorate the 135 points BMW Sauber accrued in 2008… there were only 135 produced and only were sold in Switzerland (home of Sauber). The car was basically a sports package (M Sport) with additional style differentiations but no substance though it came with a significant mark up….

The way I read this F1 MINI is something similar… not destined for the US.

rbm4 Apr 29th, 2009 Link

SCOOP!

OXFORD- MINI will be also be announcing that they will be returning to F1 as a BMW junior team called ‘Cooper’ The F1 special edition will not be brought to the US because the US does not have a F1 race. The other major announcement will the the availability of KERS in the F1 SE giving an extra 80hp for 5 seconds of full throttle acceleration but can only used once every half hour on the road. The availability of a new dealer installed adjustable front spoiler/slitter that will increase front end grip above 120 MPH but will also help clear your driveway of snow in the winter.

Just kidding, I’ve been reading The Onion too much today….:P

JonPD Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Wouldn’t make any sense to bring it to the US, I expect the very low numbers to be sold only in Europe.

Gabe Apr 29th, 2009 Link

The way I read this F1 MINI is something similar… not destined for the US.

Yeah that is our expectation as well as but I didn’t want to jump to any conclusions… yet.

Peter Braun Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Are you kidding me? So many people seem to actually like that color???? OMG – it’s like the pea soup barf in the Exorcist. It’s not even like the classic old 60s BRG, nor even at all close to the original Cooper Car Company’s green.

I wouldn’t be caught in one that color – dead or alive.

Peter Braun Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Not to mention the Cooper cars never ever had black stripes but always white. This is like spit in the face of history to call that a Cooper F1. Personally, if you haven’t guessed, I hate it.

JCWRKS Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Cool, I look forward to more updates :-)

cct1 Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Peter, I suspect if it’s a true nonmetallic british racing green, it’ll look much better in the flesh than in the pictures; green just doesn’t photograph well, and the lighting in the above picture isn’t so hot to begin with. If it’s a true BRG it’ll be darker than it appears in that picture.

Gabe Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Not to mention the Cooper cars never ever had black stripes but always white. This is like spit in the face of history to call that a Cooper F1. Personally, if you haven’t guessed, I hate it.

Peter. Deep breath. Click on the photo, read the caption. This is an unofficial mock-up… :)

Gary Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Can’t help but notice that the MINI in the photo is left-hand drive. Any significance? (i.e., potential markets)

alpinamike Apr 29th, 2009 Link

The color looks good. I guessed it would have been like the old cooper race car.

MINI Cooper JCW F1 Edition On Way? | Driving Spirit Apr 29th, 2009 Link

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GregW Apr 30th, 2009 Link

The white stripes were adopted from the Cooper F1 car from the radiator to the windscreen, and also on the top of the tail piece. This distinguished from the other BRG cars(British Racing Green – all British cars raced in this colour – from Lotus which had gold trim, and others. Other Countries like France raced blue, Italy – red, USA – white, etc). This was before sponsorships livery came along. When JC raced his Mini Cooper team the cars adopted his team colours and stripes. Red and white cars were the official BMC Works Rally cars, i.e. Monte Carlo – with NO stripes.

GregW Apr 30th, 2009 Link

Formula 1 colors history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_international_auto_racing_colors

John Cooper F1 50th Anniversary update | theSwitchback Apr 30th, 2009 Link

[...] 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 [...]

Richard Wezensky Apr 30th, 2009 Link

I can’t wait to see it.

REPORT: MINI to launch Special Edition F1 Cooper at MINI United | Car2Be.com - Hot News & Reviews Apr 30th, 2009 Link

[...] [Source: MotoringFile] [...]

Chad Apr 30th, 2009 Link

Whoever did the unofficial mockup needs to calibrate their monitor a bit. The shading has be muted to oblivion.

John Cooper F1 Limited Edition | kristopheR.derentZ Apr 30th, 2009 Link

[...] Info From MotoringFile: [...]

silvrcelt Apr 30th, 2009 Link

What it really needs in order to live up to the name is a 2.5 litre Coventry Climax engine… in the back. Or, another possibility with the proper F1 credentials would be to throw the Cosworth big valve cylinder head in there.

MauiMac May 1st, 2009 Link

Kind of off topic… but… I like the (Suzuki) SX4 Crossover vs. Mini ad on the home page : )

John Cooper F1 Special Edition - www.miniMINImini.com May 2nd, 2009 Link

[...] You can read the original Switchback news story here. You can read today’s MotoringFile update here. [...]

greg May 3rd, 2009 Link

Mini needs to make this a free color for the third gen. That’s my next car and that’s the color.

Mini John Cooper F1 Limited Edition, �� May 4th, 2009 Link

[...] [via] [...]

Mini Cooper JCW F1 Special Edition in the Works? | Cars Jun 17th, 2009 Link

[...] .motoringfile.com via jalopnik and [...]

blog.autodriver.com Jan 9th, 2010 Link

[...] [Source: MotoringFile] [...]

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MINI to Launch John Cooper F1 Limited Edition

Sections: 50th Anniversary | JCW | JCW WC50 | Rumor Apr 29th, 2009 66 Comments

Written By: Gabe

66 Comments

Timothy Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Andrew Zimmerman Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Philip Hubertus Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Gregory Kaufman Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Blainestang Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Robb Clifford Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Daniel Bennett Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Minipuma Apr 29th, 2009 Link

eager2own Apr 29th, 2009 Link

eto Apr 29th, 2009 Link

bee1000 Apr 29th, 2009 Link

hank chinaski Apr 29th, 2009 Link

JonPD Apr 29th, 2009 Link

MikeJCW Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Mk1 Apr 29th, 2009 Link

lavardera Apr 29th, 2009 Link

fdavid Apr 29th, 2009 Link

O(=^=)O Capn Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Gabe Apr 29th, 2009 Link

CarNut Apr 29th, 2009 Link

TOM Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Axel Griesinger Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Eric Apr 29th, 2009 Link

JonPD Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Josh Hway Apr 29th, 2009 Link

joe Apr 29th, 2009 Link

minimalist Apr 29th, 2009 Link

dc11r Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Jon Apr 29th, 2009 Link

dc11r Apr 29th, 2009 Link

REPORT: MINI to launch Special Edition F1 Cooper at MINI United - Teamspeed.com Apr 29th, 2009 Link

REPORT: MINI to launch Special Edition F1 Cooper at MINI United | TopOneNews.Com Apr 29th, 2009 Link

mike Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Augie05 Apr 29th, 2009 Link

REPORT: MINI to launch Special Edition F1 Cooper at MINI United | Stoth Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Noresize » Blog Archive » MINI John Cooper F1 Special Edition In Works For MINI United [Mini Cooper] Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Blahoogle Automobile - The Quickest Way to Explore the World Automobile Everyday » REPORT: MINI to launch Special Edition F1 Cooper at MINI United Apr 29th, 2009 Link

Kevin Chau Apr 29th, 2009 Link

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MINI Cooper JCW F1 Edition On Way? | Driving Spirit Apr 29th, 2009 Link

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