Most liked posts in thread: Many Happy Returns, Paddy Hopkirk is 80 !!

Here are a batch of pics posted in celebration of the 2014 50th Anniversary of his famous Monte Carlo victory.

Trying hard on the Circuit of Ireland in 1969 with co-driver Tony Nash.


8 EMO on a forest stage enroute to fourth place the 1963 RAC Rally.


Still got it! Crossing the Col de Turini during the 40th Anniv run in the 1994 Monte Carlo Rally.


Recce the Hopkirk way! It was best to duck during the 1970 World Cup Rally Route in Brazil with co-driver Tony Nash.


Competing and winning with Andrew Hedges in a MGC GTS at the 1968 Sebring 12 HR Race in Florida.


A snug racing line at the 1965 Craigantlet Hill Climb, just outside Belfast, in a Mini Cooper S.


A brake check before setting off to win the '67 Circuit of Ireland with future WRC winning Co-Driver Terry Harryman.


At last no snow! A dry special stage on the winning '64 Monte Carlo Rally.


In full flight and be-decked in shamrocks during the 1967 Gallagher 500 Race at Bathurst, Australia.


2014 will be 50 years since Ronnie McCartney & Terry Harryman won the Circuit of Ireland. Ronnie in full flight.


Central stage and closing the show of Sunday Night at the Palladium watched by 27 million TV viewers.


Who knew Paddy Hopkirk was the fifth Beatle…according to The Beatles.


Wrestling an ill handling Formula Elva at N. Ireland's Kirkistown race circuit in 1961.


The early years honing a craft: Auto testing in Ireland and not in a Mini.


A Monte win put Mini on the map, transcending Paddy into swinging 60s pop culture and Sunday Night at the Palladium.


Reflecting on a Monte Carlo victory with Messrs Issigonis and Fangio on the balcony of the Hotel de Paris in 1964.

Beside every winning driver sits a great co-driver. The late Henry Liddon made up the Monte winning partnership of 64.


Paddy Hopkirk driving the iconic Monte Carlo Rally winning 33EJB, pictured at Col de Turini in 1964.


Paddy's first car. A Harding motorised bath-chair with a 250cc JAP engine, tiller steering and a drip-feed oil tank.


'Dear Paddy'....a congratulatory telegram from some guy called Ringo Starr.


Flying. Literally.


Two motoring greats. Paddy Hopkirk with the F1 legend Graham Hill.


This photo takes us back to the beginning. From Paddy's own archive.

 

The Citroën - Mini rivalry hots up at the Monte on the GP circuit in 1963.

 

A new posting:

"Winning the class of the 1958 Craigantlet Hillclimb in N. Ireland, in a Speedwell modified Austin A35 (B E Swain)"