We’re seeing a trend lately of not just more custom MINIs, but MINIs in full vinyl wraps instead of custom paint. The latest is this offering from vinyl shop CoverEFX. Taking its cues from Louis Vuitton, the gold and leather trimmed JCW hatch isn’t just about achieving a particular look. Two performance packages are available, bumping the engine output to 232 hp and 249 hp respectively. While the car’s style certainly isn’t my bag, I think we can all appreciate horsepower. No word yet on whether it travels through time. More photos after the break.
<p>I can respect the attention to detail a project like this takes. Practical for a daily driver? Probably not, but that hasn’t stopped MINI owners from driving around town with deleted rear seats and roll bars. Keep pushing the envelope.</p>
<p>äää am i the only one who thinks the hood is wrapped in the wrong direction!!? The Car is wrapped with the logo from Front to End, but the Hood seems to from Side to Side. This is extremely disturbing.</p>
<p>Is this what John Cooper wanted ? i have a JCW on an 04 plate in the UK th history of the Cooper but i feel BMW are killing the history ,im thankful that BMW saved the MINI but its now a lifestyle brand and not a car and even worse its no longer MINI its a eurobox 5 door hatchback</p>
<blockquote>am i the only one who thinks the hood is wrapped in the wrong direction!!? The Car is wrapped with the logo from Front to End, but the Hood seems to from Side to Side. This is extremely disturbing.</blockquote>
<p>I think that is the only way you could do it. If you did the hood front to back, one fender would be right side up and the other would be upside down.</p>
<p>However, what is the history with wraps in general? Car bodies get very hot in the summer, especially the hood. I can’t really see vinyl lasting very long when expanding in hot weather and shrinking in the cold.</p>
<p>@Alan Antobus.
“Is this what John Cooper wanted”.
The Mini was designed by Alexander Issigonis. JC only came on the scene in 1961 when the first Cooper version was made. JC wanted a sporting version of the Mini Minor. So the comment is not relevant to the brand.
Many Mini cars over the years have been painted in various designs and styles – Beatle George Harrison’s car was in the LSD fashion mode of the day. THe above car is only another version of car art.</p>
<p>Performance tweaks to 232 or 249HP? Intriguing. My I beg a bit of specificity as to how this boost is accomplished? Are these modifications done at the factory, or at least blessed by MINI; and what is being sacrificed?</p>
<blockquote>THe above car is only another version of car art.</blockquote>
<p>I think the problem is that it is like mixed metaphors. There are some neat looking wraps out there, but doing it in a Louis Vuitton pattern seems a bit perverted. I doubt if people would have much disagreement with a plain wrap (plain brown wrapper?).</p>
<p>I have to give mad props to the designer, though. It is a complete and well thought-out design. They chose a theme and executed it consistently. They didn’t just slap a lot of vinyl on the car… they applied the design ideas to every tinly little bit they could find and they deserve a round of applause… at least from me.</p>
<p>When I started modding my car, I chose a design theme. I’m constantly fighting with myself to edit my modding urges… to stick to the plan… to make every mod push the car further towards the goal and not just pile on more and more stuff.</p>
<p>It’s beautiful work. Not my preference for style, but beautiful work nonetheless.</p>
<p>Chris: I’m with you on how they got the upgraded hp. I know that the JCW is underrated from Oxford, but what is that they did to get there? And, before anyone says it, yes I know that these power figures are pretty easily attained in the after market. I’m asking on the factory got it, with no warrantee issuse.</p>
<p>We have no idea what they’ve done for the power upgrades. As far as we know, MINI had nothing to do with this car at all. Tuners and customizers do this kind of thing all the time. Buy a car, trick it out, tune it up and end up with something unique. Getting horsepower and torque is one thing, but how many miles down the road would this thing start blowing holes in its pistons because it’s wound too tight?</p>
<p>I can respect the attention to detail a project like this takes. Practical for a daily driver? Probably not, but that hasn’t stopped MINI owners from driving around town with deleted rear seats and roll bars. Keep pushing the envelope.</p>
<p>That is truly horrible…</p>
<p>UGLY.</p>
<p>Just because one can, does not mean one should.</p>
<p>Engine and Suspension mods “YES!”</p>
<p>Body wrap FAIL!</p>
<p>Before posting images like those, please consider that some of us read the site while eating.</p>
<p>To each his own, said the lady kissing the cow.</p>
<p>Wow that is tacky, I pity the fool that has to drive it, oh wait the limo tint helps.</p>
<p>I don’t really like it, but I celebrate the fact that someone out there was really creative and did their MINI like that. Good show!</p>
<p>Now, I’d have been much more impressed were the car painted instead of wrapped. Would look better shiny IMO.</p>
<p>That has to be the ugliest thing I’ve seen in a while. Why take a perfectly good JCW and foul it up like that?</p>
<p>[Marty] Hey Doc, we gotta run that line before the clock strikes…
[Doc] Don’t worry Marty, we’re goin back to 1959 to start it all again….</p>
<p>äää am i the only one who thinks the hood is wrapped in the wrong direction!!? The Car is wrapped with the logo from Front to End, but the Hood seems to from Side to Side. This is extremely disturbing.</p>
<p>FUGLY!!!</p>
<p>Essex called, they want their MINI back. All that’s missing is a spray tan orange couple in the front.</p>
<p>I just threw up into my mouth a little.</p>
<p>Please peel the vinyl off and jettison it into space, directly towards the sun. Only that kind of heat can destroy evil so concentrated.</p>
<p>(Like the power mods though…)</p>
<p>Not even going to comment on the wrap.</p>
<p>I will comment on the HP claims though. You can be SURE they are quoting BHP (at crankshaft) instead of WHP (at the wheels).</p>
<p>Some JCWs are stock with 232+ BHP. It’s not hard to get to 249BHP with a JCW.</p>
<p>Is this what John Cooper wanted ? i have a JCW on an 04 plate in the UK th history of the Cooper but i feel BMW are killing the history ,im thankful that BMW saved the MINI but its now a lifestyle brand and not a car and even worse its no longer MINI its a eurobox 5 door hatchback</p>
<p>I would rather drive a Suburban than be seen in this MINI.</p>
<blockquote>am i the only one who thinks the hood is wrapped in the wrong direction!!? The Car is wrapped with the logo from Front to End, but the Hood seems to from Side to Side. This is extremely disturbing.</blockquote>
<p>I think that is the only way you could do it. If you did the hood front to back, one fender would be right side up and the other would be upside down.</p>
<p>However, what is the history with wraps in general? Car bodies get very hot in the summer, especially the hood. I can’t really see vinyl lasting very long when expanding in hot weather and shrinking in the cold.</p>
<p>Looks kinda like someone crammed a MINI into an over-priced handbag.</p>
<p>…also looks a little like a MINI wearing jammies.</p>
<blockquote>Looks kinda like someone crammed a MINI into an over-priced handbag.</blockquote>
<p>Yes, I don’t think Louis would be pleased…</p>
<p>Let’s be positive!</p>
<p>I like the flames, it distracts from the wrap job.</p>
<p>Well Mini is about being “unique”… For a show vehicle it’s great for a daily driver……not so much.</p>
<p>It was composed well for what it is.</p>
<p>@Alan Antobus.
“Is this what John Cooper wanted”.
The Mini was designed by Alexander Issigonis. JC only came on the scene in 1961 when the first Cooper version was made. JC wanted a sporting version of the Mini Minor. So the comment is not relevant to the brand.
Many Mini cars over the years have been painted in various designs and styles – Beatle George Harrison’s car was in the LSD fashion mode of the day. THe above car is only another version of car art.</p>
<p>Performance tweaks to 232 or 249HP? Intriguing. My I beg a bit of specificity as to how this boost is accomplished? Are these modifications done at the factory, or at least blessed by MINI; and what is being sacrificed?</p>
<blockquote>THe above car is only another version of car art.</blockquote>
<p>I think the problem is that it is like mixed metaphors. There are some neat looking wraps out there, but doing it in a Louis Vuitton pattern seems a bit perverted. I doubt if people would have much disagreement with a plain wrap (plain brown wrapper?).</p>
<p>Do I like the car? No… not really.</p>
<p>I have to give mad props to the designer, though. It is a complete and well thought-out design. They chose a theme and executed it consistently. They didn’t just slap a lot of vinyl on the car… they applied the design ideas to every tinly little bit they could find and they deserve a round of applause… at least from me.</p>
<p>When I started modding my car, I chose a design theme. I’m constantly fighting with myself to edit my modding urges… to stick to the plan… to make every mod push the car further towards the goal and not just pile on more and more stuff.</p>
<p>It’s beautiful work. Not my preference for style, but beautiful work nonetheless.</p>
<p>Chris: I’m with you on how they got the upgraded hp. I know that the JCW is underrated from Oxford, but what is that they did to get there? And, before anyone says it, yes I know that these power figures are pretty easily attained in the after market. I’m asking on the factory got it, with no warrantee issuse.</p>
<p>We have no idea what they’ve done for the power upgrades. As far as we know, MINI had nothing to do with this car at all. Tuners and customizers do this kind of thing all the time. Buy a car, trick it out, tune it up and end up with something unique. Getting horsepower and torque is one thing, but how many miles down the road would this thing start blowing holes in its pistons because it’s wound too tight?</p>
<p>Just as tacky as a knockoff Louis Vuitton handbag.</p>