8 replies to this topic

[feybrand]

im currently doing this mini up and im looking for inspiration and suggestions so what do you all think i should do to it and what wheels and colour etc
its for that car in my display pic its a 91 mini city auto

Edited by feybrand, 01 May 2008 - 06:24 PM.

[analogue_radio]

It's your car, take a look through the Mini Album, browse through Mini magazines, scroll the internet.

[panelbeaterpeter]

Why modify it? Leave it standard! That would be different and original. just lower it slightly and fit a stage 1 kit. Sorted.

[Retro_10s]

I'll drink to to that pete!

[Angusdog]

It's your car, take a look through the Mini Album, browse through Mini magazines, scroll the internet.

I've thought about this with regards to my car, and disagree with the above comment - not in a "you're wrong" kinda way, but think: you're going to end up with nothing original, nothing that you've created, just another mini with a checkered roof, spots and minilites. I'm oversimplifying it massively to make a point. Look anywhere else for inspiration. Custom motorcycles (and not the American Chopper ones, ones like Barnetts Magazine (click on Feature Bikes). You'd be very surprised what the builders who don't make it onto the Discovery Channel get up to.

Also, airplanes. Like Mustang P50s, Spitfires, Lockheed Electras - nose cone art.

Movies. I love the idea of Michael Caine on the roof. Talk to a signwriter can they can print onto self adhesive vinyl. It's how most vans etc are 'signwritten' these days, just doing a mini roof would be a piece of , well you get the idea.

Pick a color scheme. The mini scene is dominated by three things: Bonnet stripes, coloured roofs, and um... I believe that's about it. The Paul Smith multicoloured mini was the most original scheme for years. Find an outline of a mini, print it out and just work up some ideas for ages. Stick it to the fridge. Think about it. Look at other sources of inspiration than cars. What about just metallic silver and flat silver? Get the proportions right and it will work (just don't make it look like you forgot to clearcoat one of the panels).

Does this help? It's how I worked up my idea for my Mk II. Still needs a bit of mulling over (when I walk the dog is the best time to visualise, I find ). Hope the advice above helps.

[Git]

It's your car, take a look through the Mini Album, browse through Mini magazines, scroll the internet.

I've thought about this with regards to my car, and disagree with the above comment - not in a "you're wrong" kinda way, but think: you're going to end up with nothing original, nothing that you've created, just another mini with a checkered roof, spots and minilites. I'm oversimplifying it massively to make a point. Look anywhere else for inspiration. Custom motorcycles (and not the American Chopper ones, ones like Barnetts Magazine (click on Feature Bikes). You'd be very surprised what the builders who don't make it onto the Discovery Channel get up to.

Also, airplanes. Like Mustang P50s, Spitfires, Lockheed Electras - nose cone art.

Movies. I love the idea of Michael Caine on the roof. Talk to a signwriter can they can print onto self adhesive vinyl. It's how most vans etc are 'signwritten' these days, just doing a mini roof would be a piece of , well you get the idea.

Pick a color scheme. The mini scene is dominated by three things: Bonnet stripes, coloured roofs, and um... I believe that's about it. The Paul Smith multicoloured mini was the most original scheme for years. Find an outline of a mini, print it out and just work up some ideas for ages. Stick it to the fridge. Think about it. Look at other sources of inspiration than cars. What about just metallic silver and flat silver? Get the proportions right and it will work (just don't make it look like you forgot to clearcoat one of the panels).

Does this help? It's how I worked up my idea for my Mk II. Still needs a bit of mulling over (when I walk the dog is the best time to visualise, I find ). Hope the advice above helps.

Well said, that.......AngusDog...

[daveholman]

I think it depends on the look you wish to achieve, if you're wanting a car which looks better but doesn't really stand out then, respray it in the original colour and add some alloys that you like. If you want to go for the whole cooper look then you'll have a car that looks good but will be virtually identical to a million other cooper lookalikes. You could go for a nice two tone with the split at the base of the window posts or you could go completely extreme and get something completely outrageous like a full vinyl wrap with pictures of Hulk Hogan all across it. The choice is yours really, it's your car and you'll have your own tastes of what looks good and what looks terrible. Just pick your favourite colour and work from that. As Angusdog says, just get a blank outline of a mini and sit down with some felt pens and decide what you like and what you don't. Once you have that, you can go from there and tailor it til you get something you're happy with.

[analogue_radio]

It's your car, take a look through the Mini Album, browse through Mini magazines, scroll the internet.

I've thought about this with regards to my car, and disagree with the above comment - not in a "you're wrong" kinda way, but think: you're going to end up with nothing original, nothing that you've created, just another mini with a checkered roof, spots and minilites. I'm oversimplifying it massively to make a point. Look anywhere else for inspiration. Custom motorcycles (and not the American Chopper ones, ones like Barnetts Magazine (click on Feature Bikes). You'd be very surprised what the builders who don't make it onto the Discovery Channel get up to.

Also, airplanes. Like Mustang P50s, Spitfires, Lockheed Electras - nose cone art.

Movies. I love the idea of Michael Caine on the roof. Talk to a signwriter can they can print onto self adhesive vinyl. It's how most vans etc are 'signwritten' these days, just doing a mini roof would be a piece of , well you get the idea.

Pick a color scheme. The mini scene is dominated by three things: Bonnet stripes, coloured roofs, and um... I believe that's about it. The Paul Smith multicoloured mini was the most original scheme for years. Find an outline of a mini, print it out and just work up some ideas for ages. Stick it to the fridge. Think about it. Look at other sources of inspiration than cars. What about just metallic silver and flat silver? Get the proportions right and it will work (just don't make it look like you forgot to clearcoat one of the panels).

Does this help? It's how I worked up my idea for my Mk II. Still needs a bit of mulling over (when I walk the dog is the best time to visualise, I find ). Hope the advice above helps.

Well said, that.......AngusDog...

I didn't quite literally mean copy another mini.. but I agree with what you're saying, however a very simple mini can look very attractive with the right things.

[mini_mad69]

I trawled mini magazines to find what i wanted i took different parts of cars to make my own design, although someone in the same area built a car in the same colour scheme and design 2 months after finishing mine. We have the same name and people keep confusing me with him.
I also find the new MINI has some good designs (probably get alot of stick for that) Love their gun metal colour scheme on the gp.
Do what ever you feel looks right.

Edited by mini_mad69, 13 May 2008 - 04:54 PM.