A new edition of the legendary George Harrison MINI helps support a good cause at MINI United 2009.

MINI has come up with a fresh interpretation of George Harrison's extravagantly decorated original MINI Cooper to coincide with the brand's 50th birthday celebration. The one-off model will be handed over to Olivia Harrison at the MINI United event where she 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 next week in the United Kingdom from May 22 to May 24, 2009. The festival delivers three days of non-stop entertainment for the brand's large fan community. The MINI United event features concerts, shows, car races, and many more fun activities especially for MINI Cooper fans, and will be the perfect stage on which to showcase the unique new MINI Cooper inspired by George Harrison.

Mini has recreated George's classic psychedelic Beatlemania MINI with an awesome new look. The story is told that 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 landmark 50th anniversary, MINI is dedicating a modern interpretation of George's car to the man himself. This fun MINI Cooper one-off has been designed according to the wishes of Olivia Harrison and rekindles the look of George's outrageous 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.

It might be too late to make plans to attend the giant festival being held at Silverstone in the United Kingdom next week, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy photos of this special MINI Cooper here at Automotive Traveler. We'll be sure to keep you updated when we hear more about the Material World Charitable Foundation--perhaps you'll want to bid on it!