The Mini Cooper won its first Monte Carlo Rally in 1964. Paddy Hopkirk and co-driver Henry Liddon drove a Morris Mini Cooper S to victory in the demanding event, giving the small British car one of motorsport’s most celebrated underdog successes.
The result was remarkable because the Mini competed against much larger and more powerful cars. Its advantages included front-wheel drive, compact dimensions, nimble handling, and strong traction on difficult mountain roads. The rally covered thousands of kilometres, and the icy Col de Turini was among its most challenging sections.
The 1964 victory began a memorable run. Mini Cooper S crews also won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1965 and 1967. The Mini was initially declared the 1966 winner as well, but the leading Mini entries were later disqualified over an alleged headlamp-rule violation, handing victory to Citroën. That controversy is why some accounts describe Mini as having four apparent wins but only three officially recognized victories. The first, however, is unambiguously 1964.