Mini celebrate 50 years with the one-off George Harrison MINI

MINI celebrates 50 years of existence in 2009. A big three-day event to commemorate this milestone takes place at Silverstone in the UK from 22 May. There will be song, dance, food, racing and a whole range of other activities during the festivities.

One of the attractions will undoubtedly be the one-off George Harrison MINI which is a new interpretation of the original car that the famous Beatle owned. The car is designed with psychedelic images just like the 1966 car Harrison owned. Each of the Fab Four were given a Mini Cooper S by their manager in 1966 as a gift. Harrison got his painted in these psychedelic images in reflection of the zeitgeist of the 1960s. The Mini was even featured in The Beatles' 1967 TV movie Magical Mystery Tour.

The car will be given to Harrison's widow, Olivia Harrison. After the 50 years ceremony, it will then be auctioned off to aid Material World Charitable Foundation that Harrison started back in 1973.

"George was a huge MINI fan," said Mrs Harrison, "and he would have enjoyed creating this new version. The fact that MINI's anniversary celebrations will also benefit our Foundation has made it an enjoyable as well as meaningful collaboration."

For more information, check the Press Release below:

New edition of the legendary George Harrison MINI helps support a good cause.

Munich/Silverstone. MINI has come up with a fresh interpretation of George Harrison's extravagant original Mini to coincide with the brand's 50th birthday. The one-off model will be handed over to Olivia Harrison at the MINI United event. Olivia will accept the MINI on behalf of the Material World Charitable Foundation, a charity set up by George Harrison in 1973. The car will be auctioned in aid of the Foundation later in the year.

MINI United - the world's biggest fan event - will take place at Silverstone in the UK on 22 - 24 May 2009. The festival delivers three days of non-stop entertainment for the brand's large fan community. MINI United is all about concerts, shows, car races etc., and provides the perfect stage on which to showcase the unique new MINI inspired by George Harrison.

George's psychedelic MINI in a new look
Back in 1966 The Beatles' manager Brian Epstein gave each of the Fab Four a Mini Cooper S as a gift. In keeping with the zeitgeist of the time, lead guitarist George had his car painted with psychedelic images such as yantras and Sanskrit mantras. In 1967 this legendary Mini starred in The Beatles' film Magical Mystery Tour. And now, to coincide with its latest landmark anniversary, MINI is dedicating a modern interpretation of George's car to the man himself. The MINI has been designed according to the wishes of Olivia Harrison and rekindles the look of George's famous original.

"George was a huge MINI fan and he would have enjoyed creating this new version. The fact that MINI's anniversary celebrations will also benefit our Foundation has made it an enjoyable as well as meaningful collaboration." says Olivia Harrison.

Replay signs up as MINI United partner
The denim specialist congratulates MINI on its latest landmark birthday and presents an anniversary jeans model, which will be available exclusively and in a limited edition from the Replay stand at the MINI United event. To mark the anniversary, the used-look jeans sport a circular "50 Years of MINI" sew-on badge on the front left pocket. Added to which, all the MINI staff at the festival will be kitted out in Replay jeans. Selected Replay stores are promoting the event in special window displays.