Actual Paddy Hopkirk Works Rally Car For Sale...
Little more comes close to its significance, fame or value...
In the adrenaline-fuelled world of 1960s rallying, few figures loomed larger than Paddy Hopkirk. His charm, courage, and car control made him a legend, and the car most famously associated with his success was the Mini Cooper S. While 33 EJB, his 1964 Monte Carlo winner, may be the most iconic registration in Mini history, another car - GRX 5D - carries its own extraordinary legacy. That very car, a 1966 Works-prepared Austin Cooper S, has now come up for sale, priced at £155,000.
Paddy Hopkirk with the 1964 MINI Monte Carlo Winner 33EJB
To appreciate why GRX 5D is so revered, you have to understand the context of the time. The Mini Cooper S was the David to rallying’s Goliaths—punching far above its weight with its nimble handling, tight chassis, and front-wheel-drive agility. Under the stewardship of BMC’s Competitions Department, it went on to challenge and defeat giants like Ford, Saab, and even Porsche in events where finesse mattered more than brute force.
Paddy Hopkirk’s unforgettable win at the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally in 33 EJB catapulted both driver and car to stardom. But the story didn’t end there. Hopkirk continued to campaign Works Minis in events across Europe, and by 1966, BMC had assembled a formidable rally team that included him behind the wheel of GRX 5D - a factory-built and finely honed Works rally car, carrying the hallmark features of rallying royalty.
Paddy proudly showing off 33 EJB back in the 1960s
Built to full competition specification at the famed Abingdon Competitions Department, GRX 5D was no ordinary Mini. It featured a race-tuned 1275cc engine, competition Hydrolastic suspension, close-ratio gearbox, sump guard, and extensive modifications throughout for durability and performance under the harshest conditions. These factory Works cars were hand-built for one purpose: to win.
While 1966 would become infamous due to the controversial disqualification of the entire BMC Mini team from the Monte Carlo Rally, ostensibly over non-standard headlamp bulbs, their performance on the stages was undeniable. Hopkirk and the Mini had proven once again they could beat the best. GRX 5D was very much a part of that period - a living, roaring reminder of BMC’s golden era.
Beyond Monte Carlo, this car competed in several international rallies, driven by some of the period’s most celebrated names. Its well-documented provenance ties it directly to Hopkirk, as well as to the elite circle of Works-prepared Minis that defined 1960s motorsport in Britain. Few of these cars survive today with such a well-preserved and authentic history.
569 FMO - Driven to 7th overall and 3rd in class by Aaltonen/Ambrose in the 1964 'Monte.
The car itself, now restored with great care and respect for its originality, retains its character and integrity. From the Tartan Red and white roof livery to the Works-style spotlights, this is no garage queen, it’s a piece of motorsport sculpture with soul. It tells a story of icy Alpine passes, gravel-laced Scandinavian stages, and the fearless men who danced these machines on the edge of disaster and glory.
And now, GRX 5D is being offered for sale at £155,000.
In the world of historic motorsport, that figure represents extraordinary value. You’re not just buying a Mini. You’re acquiring a documented BMC Works rally car with a direct link to Paddy Hopkirk, the golden age of British rallying, and one of the most dramatic periods in rally history. It's the kind of car that belongs in a curated motorsport collection - or better still, in motion on historic rally tours and events where it can once again do what it was built to do.
For collectors and enthusiasts alike, GRX 5D isn’t just a car, it’s an heirloom. A machine born to race, steeped in character, and blessed with provenance that most cars can only dream of.
And now, it’s waiting for its next owner...
Check out the listing here
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