The MINI, a small British economy car originally produced by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) from 1959 until 2000, is now manufactured by BMW. This year the brand turns 60 and the automaker will launch the MINI Cooper S 60 Years Edition, which will be limited to just 500 vehicles.

Though not necessarily a new model, the MINI Cooper S 60 Years, will be available in a stunning British Racing Green IV paint. Though it began as an economy vehicle, it has gone on to achieve cult status, a position that BMW has successfully maintained.

To celebrate its first sixty years, the Cooper S 60 Years Edition, which will be available in the UK and Ireland, pays tribute to its lineage with a black roof and matching bonnet stripes that will undoubtedly make the car a collectible. Given that in 1959, the MINI was a novelty, designers have not often messed with its perfection. The 60 Years Edition will feature its classic two-tone 17-inch alloy wheels, front spot lamps and leather seats finished in Dark Cacao.

Listed for £29,995, the car has a few modern amenities such as an 8.8-inch infotainment screen with sat-nav, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth and wireless phone charging. It also includes standard front and rear LED lights, with the rears in the now-standard Union Flag pattern, which adds a touch of mod style to the quintessential sixties’ car. The left-hand bonnet stripe and turn indicators feature the 60 Years emblem, while more 60 Years badges care are visible on the door sills and the seat bolsters.

The Cooper S also features a 189bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, an eight-speed automatic gearbox, front-wheel drive, 189bhp/280Nm of power and torque, and a top speed of 145mph. The car, which goes from 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds, delivers 39.8mpg and 129g CO2/km.

The special edition MINI will also be available with the Comfort Pack as standard, including a reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors and electrically folding exterior mirrors, as well as automatic lights and wipers and an intelligent emergency call system that automatically dials emergency services in the event of an accident.

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In a statement, MINI says, “Built in the UK at Mini Plant Oxford, the 60 Years Edition is the first of many celebrations planned for 2019 that will champion the brand’s rich heritage in Britain and its continuous dedication to innovation. Much like Alex Issigonis’ first car in 1959, Mini has continued to push the boundaries whilst keeping creative use of space, driving fun, style and individualisation at its core.”