Bob Holden had already raced a car numbered 13 when he drew 13 from a hat, and he embraced it as his lucky number. Sixty years ago, he and Finnish rally driver Rauno Aaltonen won the 1966 Gallaher 500 outright at Mount Panorama in a Morris Mini Cooper S. MINI Lucky 13 Edition takes its name from that number.
MINI created MINI Lucky 13 Edition exclusively for the Australian market, and only 26 will be made for the 2026 launch year. It’s $71,990 plus on-roads. Production starts this October, 60 years after the win, and customer deliveries are expected in the first quarter of 2027.
It’s based on the petrol MINI John Cooper Works 3-Door. Another petrol special edition, the MINI Paul Smith Edition, starts at $55,490.
A Lap Clear at Mount Panorama
Holden and Aaltonen’s Cooper S finished a lap ahead of the second-placed car in 1966. Behind them, Minis filled every place down to 9th.
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ABOVE: The MINI Lucky 13 Edition
That win was part of a career of more than 60 years in touring cars, sports cars and endurance racing. Holden contributed to more than 50 Bathurst endurance races as a driver and team owner, and in support roles. He won the up to 1100cc class at the 1966 Australian Tourist Trophy and took 4 Australian Touring Car Championship class wins between 1969 and 1972. Third overall in the 1975 ATCC followed, and so did the 1600cc class win at the 1987 WTCC Bathurst 1000km.
Holden said the car “showed what could be achieved through clever engineering, determination and teamwork, even against larger and more powerful cars.”
“It is remarkable to see people still talking about that race 60 years on,” Holden said. “To see MINI recognise that achievement through the Lucky 13 Edition is a great honour, and I hope it introduces a new generation to this special chapter in Australian motorsport history.”
MINI General Manager Alexander Brockhoff said, “Bob Holden and Rauno Aaltonen’s victory demonstrated the qualities that have defined MINI, courage, determination and a willingness to challenge convention.”
MINI Lucky 13 Edition in British Racing Green
MINI Lucky 13 Edition is painted British Racing Green IV with a Glazed White roof and mirror caps. White stripes go up the bonnet, and circular “13” decals repeat the number Holden drew from the hat. The 18-inch John Cooper Works Rallye Spoke 964 Bicolor wheels are finished in Frozen Midnight Grey.
High-gloss black JCW winglets trim the lower edges at the front and rear and along the side skirts. At the back there’s a carbon-fibre JCW tailpipe finisher, and a red JCW tow strap is fitted as well.
The car in the pictures is a pre-production MINI Lucky 13 Edition display vehicle. Production cars get black Vescin upholstery and black winglets, and they don’t have roof rails. The bonnet stripes are an accessory, and the position of the bonnet “13” and the size, colour and font of the circular decals may vary slightly.
JCW Seats and a Massage for the Driver
MINI Lucky 13 Edition has JCW seats and a JCW steering wheel under an Anthracite headliner. The dashboard and door cards are trimmed in recycled polyester knit, and the ambient lighting is extended.
A 240mm circular OLED display takes the middle of the dash, and there’s a head-up display for the driver. MINI Experience Modes add extended ambient light projection. Both front seats are heated and electrically adjustable, and the driver’s seat gets massage and memory as well. Sound comes from a Harman/Kardon system with 12 speakers and 365 watts.
MINI Sales Slip as Chinese Brands Climb
MINI is among the legacy brands losing ground to China, and its parent BMW is going backwards too. MINI sold 475 cars in September, down 9.5% on September 2025.
| Brand | January to September 2026 | January to September 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| MINI | 4,030 | 4,284 | -5.9% |
| BMW | 17,771 | 20,301 | -12.5% |
| Porsche | 3,068 | 4,224 | -27.4% |
| Audi | 8,656 | 11,001 | -21.3% |
| Suzuki | 9,854 | 12,215 | -19.3% |
| KGM | 2,703 | 3,222 | -16.1% |
| Land Rover | 5,660 | 6,605 | -14.3% |
| Lexus | 9,466 | 10,867 | -12.9% |
| Renault | 3,133 | 3,502 | -10.5% |
| Skoda | 3,214 | 3,414 | -5.9% |
| BYD | 76,614 | 37,923 | +102.0% |
| Chery | 38,022 | 24,028 | +58.2% |
| Omoda Jaecoo | 15,456 | 2,144 | +620.9% |
| Zeekr | 12,120 | 730 | +~1560.3% |
| Denza | 3,339 | 0 | New |
| GAC | 3,175 | 0 | New |
| Leapmotor | 1,168 | 452 | +158.4% |
Source: VFACTS
MINI Lucky 13 Edition
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Price | $71,990 plus on-roads |
| Production | 26 |
| Engine | 1998cc four-cylinder turbo petrol |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch |
| Wheels | 18-inch JCW Rallye Spoke |
| Paint | British Racing Green IV |
| Deliveries | Q1 2027 |
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Alan Zurvas is the founder and editor of Gay Car Boys, Australia's leading LGBTQI+ automotive publication. Before launching GCB in 2008, Alan's automotive writing was published in SameSame.com.au and the Star Observer. With over 16 years of hands-on car reviewing experience, Alan brings an honest, irreverent voice to every review — championing value and innovation over brand loyalty.
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