MINI has marked its single greatest achievement in Australian motorsport with a special edition John Cooper Works variant dubbed Lucky 13. It honours 60 years since Bob Holden and Rauno Aaltonen won the Gallaher 500 at Mount Panorama, Bathurst.

The duo led home eight other MINI’s in a record setting 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9 sweep. Not bad for a marque that was considered the underdog ahead of the race. The big V8 competitors of the time were powerful, fancied, and expected to just drive away from the MINI.

Enter Australian racing driver Bob Holden, who had built a reputation for his ability to build and race small-engined cars. British Motor Corporation (BMC) saw potential and signed him up to lead its attack on the Mountain.

They sent out Rauno Aaltonen, who was part of their international works team driver line-up, to showcase MINI’s capability in endurance racing. Already a leading name in Finnish rally competition at the time, he was initially deterred by the number 13.

The only problem was that in 1966, Australian touring cars were assigned numbers on a first come, first served basis. Bob found himself never arriving first at the track, and as such, the number 13 was always still available, so he always chose it.

When Bathurst rolled around, all numbers were randomly assigned. Bob was assigned 13, with the team explaining to Aaltonen that the Aussie already had an affinity with it. Likewise, the local’s approach to racing was simple.

Keep your nose clean, don’t get caught up in anyone else’s drama and run your own race, was Bob’s mantra, and that’s exactly what they did. It worked out well early, the MINI package climbed the mountain with ease.

Bob recognised his MINI was down on power, but made up for it by balancing the crankshaft, gears and wheel hubs, ensuring longevity and maximising rev ranges. He found himself in first place fairly early.

Throughout the race though, he had one eye in his mirrors, waiting for the big v8s to turn up, to run him down. They never did. Bob and Rauno won the 1966 race by more than a lap. David did not just beat Goliath, he flattened him.

MINI’s dominance was undeniable. Fast forward to 2026 and the BMW-owned German brand has taken the covers off the JCW-based Lucky 13.  It’s limited to just 26 examples and will only be sold in Australia.

Offered in British Racing Green IV paint, with a glazed white roof, mirror caps and bonnet stripes, it’s adorned with 13 on the doors. and has the lucky 13 numbers on the doors. It rides on 18-inch wheels, with black front and rear wheel arch spats, and a red tow strap.

Inside there’s JCW seats, an Anthracite headliner and recycled polyester knit dashboard and door-card trim, a 240mm circular OLED central display, head-up display and MINI Experience Modes, with extended ambient light projection.

Heated and electrically adjustable front seats, including massage and memory functions for the driver’s seat are included, along with a Harman Kardon 12-speaker, 365-watt sound system.

Today’s car produces 170kW and 380Nm, a long way from the original race car’s 56kW and 107Nm. A true 60-year anniversary offering, it’s expected to arrive in early 2027, and go on sale for $71,990 before on road costs.

Bob hopes this tribute model will introduce a new generation to MINI’s famous history. It’s a much needed nostalgia hit, and while the brand as it stands today is a long way from where it began, the presence and charm that made the original so memorable, survives today.


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