Park Lane MINI’s Dreamline Color Option

Sections: MF Feature Apr 15th, 2008 34 Comments

Long time new MINI followers will probably remember MINI UK’s Flip Colour options that debuted in 2004. They featured multiple layers of metallic paint that actually gave the finished car a different color depending on the angle viewed from. In photos they looked merely interesting. In person however the effect was almost jaw-dropping.

But the option had two strikes against it. First was the 6,000 Pound price (around $10,000 at the time). Secondly you had to have a certain personality to be able to pull off something like the flip-colours. In other words they had no trouble attracting interest from passerby’s. So when the new MINI debuted in late 2006 the colors were quietly dropped from the UK order sheet.

However MINI has no brought back the option for 2008. Calling the option “Dreamline”, MINI UK is selling an updated version of the old Flip Colour exclusively at Park Lane MINI in London. As you can see in the gallery below the color(s) have been tweaked yet the effect is just as interesting. The cost has also changed a bit. The new Dreamline color will cost you an eye watering 8,000 Pounds ($16,000).

Like the previous versions, I can personally say that the option does truly look stunning in person. However I can’t imagine many people (including myself) actually wanting to drive around in a color shifting purple and black MINI.

Written By: Gabe

http://www.smartboxusa.com/chicago GSKChicago

Interesting indeed. However I can think of quite a few things to do with $16,000 over a really unique paint job.
c4

Imagine trying to do a touch up on that paint…oh my!
Jon

Ick, expect this on a Honda sitting in a parking lot on a Friday night.
dave

they had this on a limited edition mustang cobra back in ’96. and then the aftermarket and tuner people started applying it to their civics and t-birds. it’s cool and fun, but to me it also looks a bit trashy
Rocketboy_X

Why does it have to be Purple? Would be totally awesome-o if it was not purple.
http://www.motorkultTV.com IRIEMAN

Instant Showcar.
Jon

God forbid you get into any kind of accident. Imagine the look on the face of your local collision shop paint guy…

Get used to hearing, “Ummm, we can’t help you”!
Kevin

Honda in a parking lot on a Friday night! LOL.

At first, i am jealous. but yea. it is kinda ghetto fabulous – I am 19 sitting at the Wendy’s parking lot with my gaggle of friends blasting my beat.

Either way, it is hot.
c4

This is a car made to put away in some private museum or something. Who wants to risk getting their $16K paint job scratched or chipped?
lavardera

I hear you – in fact I wouldn’t risk a $450 dollar paint job either.
http://dbmini.us DB

Sure, it’s cool, but it’s no flat BRG. ;)
eager2own

The cheaper version of this is commonly seen on Mazda 626s.
http://www.twistybitz.com/ DeathCab4QT

Didn’t Jeff Gordon have this on one of his PPG cars a few years back?

DB???
paul

plus an additional $5,000 if you have the aero kit painted to match.
paul

never mind
c4

For the price, this should come with its own body shop, supplies, equipment and bodyman as no one else on earth would be able to paint match or “blend in” the panels.
http://dbmini.us DB

DidnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t Jeff Gordon have this on one of his PPG cars a few years back?

DB???

It seems he might have. Except I can’t find pictures and there is a better than average chance it was a wrap anyway.
Eric

Now if you can get Bonnet Stripes in a mirror image (so they show up reversed in color from the bonnet), then maybe it’s worth $16000.oo LOL
http://chrisbevan.com chris

From memory the paint is called “Harlequin” and is made by PPG. As used by ricers the world over.

Can’t get much more trashy, IMHO.
sunking

“rivers” ????

Don’t think the color is tacky at all.

RB
MaxMCS

It’s too cool to be weird, but at the same time, a bit too weird to be cool… it’s a niche thing, I guess.
Edge

Most of the aftermarket crappy color-changing paint jobs only cycle between 2 or 3 colors. The really good ones (such as the special Mustang Cobra paint in 1996, called Mystic… or the newer one available on 2004 Mustang Cobras called Mystichrome) cycle between 4 or 5 color.

I think it looks great – unique… and the solution to worrying about dings and scratches? Can you say full body Invisishield/Clear Bra? :)

Heck, if you’re already blowing $10-16K on the paint job, the plastic protection for the paint seems like a bargain.
alpinamike

I remember this at 2004 mini united. Its a color of the wrong crowd, I have seen a bunch of american and japanese cars with this paint job from factory and have seen much withe the aftermarket. They would do better if they recreated old colors with new paint, such as the Hot Orange I have, if they had flat orange it would sell very well. I don’t think too many would drop the money on a car, “as other say it found in a parking lot on a Sat. night”. This is PPG area here. How about painted stripes, over improving the interior, getting rid of all the plastic, and cover it with rolls royce leather….that is a better choice of funds. I figured that Park Lane will be the only one seeling it!
COOPRSS

I think what everybody is talking about is “DuPontÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s ChromaLusionÃ‚Â® color-shifting paint” that can be custom mixed for what ever color pattern you need.

Bill
Cliff

Its too much for a car, even one as small as a MINI. My buddy has his bike painted this way and it is great. There is a truck around here with this paint and it makes me want to hurl every time I see it.
Blake

People spend this kind of money for paint all the time when painting one-off custom cars. In some cases $16000.00 is a deal. Sure, they are not Mini Coopers but that is what it costs some times. We had a small 1933 roadster that we paid $8000.00 for the paint work and it was WAY smaller than my Mini. The color change paint is a good accent on a car but not good for the primary paint on the vehicle.
http://www.gominigo.com GoMiniGo

no thanks. while it was a novelty when it first hit the market, I have never been a huge fan. Especially the green/purple.

I would rather give the money to someone like Deano at http://www.custompainting.com if I really needed the attention.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ O(=^=)OCapn

Sure, itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s cool, but itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s no flat BRG. ;)

I 2nd
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dccxlix/sets/72157600014769320/ Giorgio

I had a Klein Mantra with a color scheme like that.. I loved the color but 16k Ummm. big number.
David

Too cool for school.
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danielle

If you can afford to buy this mini and spend 16k on a paint job dont think you would worry that you cant afford to get it repaired if you have a accident because you must be loaded !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! cool mini
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