MF Exclusive: A Look Inside MINI Design Past Present Future (Part 2)
Yesterday we told you about MINI’s new design book and gave you a sneak peak at it’s first few pages. Today we’re back with a bit more of the early part of the book.
But first it’s important to note that while the book is only available in German for the time being, MINI may consider producing an english edition if the feedback on MotoringFile is positive and strong enough. So if you’d be interested in the ultimate coffee table book about MINI design, let us know in the comments section. But if you want it now, check back later today for a chance to win your very own copy autographed by head of MINI design Gert Hildebrand.
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As you can imagine the story starts with the R50 and the sketches that inspired it. The ACV 30 (design by current BMW Design Head Adrian Van Hooydonk) starts the story. There are several spreads that show early versions of the car including a silver design mule never before seen. But what’s really fascinating for MINI fans is the look into the first sketches of the R50 and it’s interior. Looking at the dates on the sketches the interior (by Tony Hunter) and exterior (by Frank Stephenson) clearly show a fully realized design direction all the way back in 1997. My personal favorite is Tony Hunter’s 1998 interior sketch of what a rally version of the R50 might look like.
Tomorrow we’ll be back with a look into the GP’s gestation period as well as a look at a fire breathing version of the R56 never (yet) created. Don’t miss it.
<p>I for one would love to see an English version be produced. Even without that I would still buy the German version.</p>
<p>My thoughts are the same as JonPD’s.</p>
<p>I would absolutely love to get my hands on something like this. I’ve got a few MINI books, but always yearn for more which discuss the transition of Classic to modern MINIs…</p>
<p>I want to purchase the english version.</p>
<p>I to would love to see the book produced in english and will be waiting with bated breath for the announcement!!</p>
<p>Looks like a great book, sign me up for the English version!</p>
<p>I was about to order the german version, but if there is a chance for an english version, sign me up! My German is a bit rusty. I saw this book at the Auto Show and it looks really nice.</p>
<p>would def be interested in an english version.</p>
<p>BRING IT!</p>
<p>Sign me up for an English language version.</p>
<p>I’m definitely interested.</p>
<p><b>I would absolutely buy the English language version to add to my library! </b>
(That 1998-dated photo showing the R50 interior is nearly identical to what went forward for production… fantastic to see that! The manner in which the spare is stylistically strapped down over deleted rear seats is also very very cool.)</p>
<p>in english please!</p>
<p>print this great book in ENGLISH please. i would love to have this book on my coffee table…but not in German</p>
<p>Sounds great, i’d buy a copy in English, Have the book about the clubman concepts which is excellent, this would be a great addition to the collection.</p>
<p>An English version would be perfect. I do plan on learning German one day, but until then English it’ll be!!</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Reserve a copy (English) for me.</p>
<p>This would be a great book to have around! It would look great next to my copy of “Driving Ambition”</p>
<p>An English version is scheduled per a response from my email to the publisher…</p>
<p>“many thanks for your enquiry.
The book is currently in German. But for midyear 2010 a English version is intended. Gladly you may contact us again.</p>
<p>If you have any questions, please don´t hesitate to contact us.</p>
<p>Kind regards</p>
<p>Motorbuch Versand
Servicecenter Kundenservice</p>
<p>Viola Schleicher”</p>
<p>and…</p>
<p>“contact Ms. Hofmann (p.hofmann@motorbuch.de) midyear.”</p>
<p>Still looking forward to this part of the story.</p>
<p>“Tomorrow we’ll be back with a look into the GP’s gestation period as well as a look at a fire breathing version of the R56 never (yet) created. Don’t miss it.”</p>
<p>Both would be my favorite part of the book, dying at the second part of this. A fire breathing version of the R56… especially the (yet) portion.</p>
<p>I would be interested in an English version.</p>
<p>English Version PLEASE. I would buy it, no doubt.</p>
<p>I want this book terribly and would love a version in English. Please print in English! Thank you.</p>
<p>Since my high school German is a bit rusty… enough to impress 4th graders but not much beyond that- I would love to see this published in English.</p>
<p>I love seeing these R50 design sketches. I love that the black trim on these is more like a wheel flare than what its become on the production cars. Why no JCW wheel flares like these that could accommodate much wider wheels?</p>
<p>I think my favorite sketch is the red/white roof version, sans the chin grill. Never been a fan of that, bull dog analogy aside.</p>
<p>You could count me in for an English version</p>
<p>This book is a “must have” – I’ll be getting it auf Deutsch if it isn’t made available in english!!</p>