Debut: MINI Aldridge Special

Here is an interesting MINI press release. Got to love that paint job. Guess Alan did not care for the unfinished paint job of the HyperSport Aerokit and took it to an extreme 😉 (I kid… I kid).

A unique MINI featuring a visually stunning exterior designed by legendary artist, illustrator and graphic designer Alan Aldridge, is now on show at the Design Museum in London. The MINI Aldridge Special is an exhibit in a retrospective display of Alanís work, entitled ëThe Man with Kaleidoscope Eyesí.

MINI Aldridge Special

Alan Aldridge is known primarily for his creative work throughout the 1960s and 70s. Dubbed ëThe Graphic Entertainerí, Aldridge illustrated lyric books for the Beatles, album covers for The Rolling Stones, The Who and Elton John, was Art Director for Penguin Books and illustrated much-loved childrenís books such as ëThe Butterfly Ballí.

MINI Aldridge Special

Now working in Los Angeles, Alan Aldridge was keen to mark the opening of his exhibition by recreating an iconic cover of the Sunday Times Magazine, which in 1965 featured a classic Mini painted in his own, inimitable style. The updated interpretation of this image, using a new MINI One as the canvas for Alanís design, featured in the 12 October 2008 edition of the publication. Again, warranting front cover status.

The MINI Aldridge Special is adorned with an array of images, shapes and patterns, each reflecting either a male or female theme, just as the 1965 car did. The design theme is split between each side of the car, the driver side being largely set on a blue background and masculine in appearance, with passenger near side artistry backed on pink.

MINI Aldridge Special

MINI UK General Manager Andy Hearn said: ìThe work of Alan Aldridge is synonymous with some of the most important names in the history of British culture, so MINI is delighted to support this exhibition by offering Alan a car to work oníí.

ìMINI will be celebrating its 50th birthday in 2009, so this is the perfect way to begin celebrating fifty years of the car in the UK.î

ëThe Man with Kaleidoscope Eyesí exhibition runs until 25 January 2009. MINI fans and the British public will get another chance to see the MINI Aldridge Special in the metal at MINI United next year, the global MINI event which will be staged at a renowned British race circuit between 22-24 May 2009. Further details will be announced by MINI UK in the near future.

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