From Abingdon to Monte Carlo

MiniRally Cars

30 Oct

Written By Kit Boothby

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Few cars carry the same rally pedigree, or charm, as this 1963 Morris Mini Cooper S, affectionately known by its registration, 8 EMO. Built by the BMC Competition Department, it made its debut at the 1963 RAC Rally of Great Britain, finishing 2nd in class and 4th overall under Paddy Hopkirk and Henry Liddon.

The following year, 8 EMO played a quiet but crucial role behind the scenes as a support car for Mini’s first Monte Carlo Rally victory, a win that cemented the Cooper S as a motorsport icon. Over its competitive life, it has been driven by legends including Jackie Stewart, Timo Mäkinen, Rauno Aaltonen and Hopkirk himself, serving as a testbed for innovations like BMC’s Hydrolastic suspension.

After disappearing for years, the car was rediscovered and painstakingly restored to its original 1963 livery and 1,275 cc spec. It even featured in Evo Magazine’s second-ever issue and remains eligible for the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique.

Fresh from an extensive 2024 restoration by Mondo Sport and Swiftune, 8 EMO once again stands as a perfectly preserved slice of rally history, proof that sometimes, the smallest cars leave the biggest legacy. This iconic 1963 Morris Mini Cooper S is currently available through Broad Arrow Private Sales. Photos © Broad Arrow.

Kit Boothby

From Abingdon to Monte Carlo

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