MF Exclusive: 50th Anniversary Edition MINI
MF has learned that MINI will be releasing not one but two 50th Anniversary edition MINIs next year. Similar to the Checkmate and Park Lane MINIs that came out in 2006, these special edition cars will be available for order through dealers and will include special interiors and wheels. They will also only be available in specific colors: one model in Pure Silver, the other in Hot Chocolate.
It’s also worth noting that these cars will likely differ from the MC40 special edition that came out in 2004 for the US market in that they will be better equipped with less of a stripped down idea behind them.
We’ll have more information soon.
Cool! I can’t wait to see what they come up with.
Hopefully, if they do any badging, they’ll be more aware of their typography. I still think their “<a href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1416/613866252_2122de5ee9.jpg" rel="nofollow">1-Millionth</a>” MINI looks like it says “7-Millionth.”
LOL.
Any word yet on possible performance changes/updates for these MC50 models? I’m not too familiar with the MC40 version but IIRC it was mostly (if not entirely) “Cosmetic” changes.
What’s with this brown MINI colour? Hate it! Why would anyone want a brown MINI? Gad!
Sidewalk was introduced in UK March 7, 2007.
Hey GrumpyDude, I have a “brown” MINI and looks stunning! One man’s poison is another man’s medicine.
Live and let live!
Sayonara
The MC40 was probably the most unique special edition with the exception of the GP, it had a bit of a performance boost and a striking look (looks much better in person than in pictures, especially the seats/interior), but it was a take it or leave it offering, with no options–that made it a tough initial sell, but long term it’ll help maintaining it as a collectable. The MC40 was an interesting concept, the others were more curosities than anything else, looks like this will be in that category too–nothing overwhelming here, and long term these probably won’t be any more desirable than the sidewalk or checkmate, but looks like you’ll be able to option up to your hearts content.
>The MC40 was probably the most unique special edition with the exception of the GP, it had a bit of a performance boost and a striking look (looks much better in person than in pictures, especially the seats/interior), but it was a take it or leave it offering, with no options–that made it a tough initial sell, but long term it’ll help maintaining it as a collectable.
If you can find one with all the pieces intact. Most I see had all the graphics stripped off in order to sell them – even the chrome GB in the back.
The MC40 was nothing but a stripper 2004 MCS with Red leather seats, custom wheels and magnetic stickers. It was sold only on the USA and appears to have been a makeshift type of “special” car slapped together at the last minute by MINIUSA.
There were no performance add ons to the best of my recollection.
Only 1,000 were made. None of them have cruise control or H/K stereo
I have seen a few around my parts. The car was a flop and some dealers could not get rid of left over MC40s by early to mid 2005.
The ’06 JCW GP was the real deal. Total opposite of the “badge engineering” approach of the MC40.
<blockquote>Most I see had all the graphics stripped off in order to sell them – even the chrome GB in the back.</blockquote>I’ll bet most of the owners removed the graphics not so much to sell as to simply get rid of them. I’ve seen a few MC40’s around the SF Bay Area and IMO they are unattractively decorated, inside and out.
I have no issue with the 50th being a cosmetic job only. I think the history of the Mini brand is less about pure power as much as it is about creating unique cars on a great base. I would like to see it go a bit more towards elegance than performance. This would allow this car to stand out nicely in the Mini line.
My mistake on the performance, there really wasn’t anything unique in that regard on the MC40. Harking back to its racing heritage, I’d still wager the MC40 will be more popular than the checkmate or sidewalk 20 years from now. IMHO these ‘special editions’, with the exception of the GP, really aren’t that special, essentially just a gimick–more fluff and eye candy than anything else…
I hope one of them is the new GP, all stripped-out performance, and the other, all class. More of a loaded grand touring concept. That would be a nice way to showcase 50 years of you-ification, the two polar opposites of user-spec’d cars.
I doubt that one of them will be the GP version, next year is too early for that. Maybe they’ll have some sort of performance version, but with the GP down the road, and the JCW just released, it’s more likely to be cosmetic rather than performance oriented.
Brown?(puke)Silver?(ZZZZZZZ)
The MC40 was hardly a stripper. Ever price the auxilary guages? Cha ching! Driving lamps? Cha ching! Carbon fiber dash board? Cha ching! Anthracite R90 wheels? CHA CHING!!!
And the red/black leather seats were the single best Mini has ever made including lounge leather. Those probably weren’t cheap either.
The MC40 was a very nice nod to Mini RACING heritage which is why no sunroof/HK/cruise. It wasn’t meant for everyone which is why only 1000 were made.
The reason they didn’t sell was that they came out late in the model year and the ’05s had pretty much hit with significant performance upgrades.
Mini hit it’s target perfectly with the MC40 and it would have done much better if released six months sooner. Unlike these days where they miss the mark about every time (factory JCW). I’m sure this 50th thing will be a dissapointing yawner.
As you said C4 “One mans brown is another’s brown?” or was it “One mans ground round is another’s burger?” He. he.
Sorry just having some fun and your right if ya like it that’s all that counts. Ciao!
I think the MC40 was a joke.
<blockquote>The reason they didn’t sell was that they came out late in the model year and the ’05s had pretty much hit with significant performance upgrades.</blockquote>The MC40 came out at a time when MINIs were in very short supply and it could easily take 6 months to receive your factory order. And still the MC40 did poorly. People just don’t want garish looking cars.
>The MC40 came out at a time when MINIs were in very short supply and it could easily take 6 months to receive your factory order. And still the MC40 did poorly. People just don’t want garish looking cars.
Could not agree more. The MC40 did poorly during a time of huge waiting lists. For several dealers I know it was the only new MCS on their lots (beyond demos) for weeks at a time.
<blockquote>If you can find one with all the pieces intact. Most I see had all the graphics stripped off in order to sell them – even the chrome GB in the back.</blockquote>
I would have taken off the GB too. I had a GB sticker on my classic Mini and 1 too many people asked me if it stood for George Bush.
Two words for you, Mini, as you consider special editions: Alpine. White.
I still loved the look of the MC40. Ive seen a few in person and I like it, regardless that its not loaded with options or exclusive things.
When I first saw that picture I could hardly believe my eyes. An R53 50th anniversary MINI! Hot dog!!!
Unfortunately it’s going to be an R56. Oh well, maybe the 75th anniversary will get it right. 😉
Does “GP” mean “Grand Prix”? In my search for its meaning, I found this great website that most of you JWC-GP fans probably aready know about: <a href="http://www.jwpgp.com" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.jwpgp.com</a>
Excuse my typo, it’s <a href="http://www.jcwgp.com" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.jcwgp.com</a>
SFRedMCc… That’s my friend George C. And those aren’t his only fun cars!
Why does it say these 50th anniversary MINIs will come out “next year” – ie: one year too late?
Exactly Ian! Times-a-wastin’!
Glad they are doing something. I’m not sure any of the “special editions” were huge sellers in their own right (even the Sidewalk), but they did freshen things up a bit and give folks something a tad bit different. Surely owners of this 50th anniversary car will get a kick out of it!! I know I would.