Our guy on the West coast, Aaron Von Minden is sort of an automotive Jekyll and Hyde type of guy. Here in The Garage, we see the monster side of this creative genius with all manner of retro American kool. The more mild mannered daily face Von Minden wears doesn’t appear very often here in The Garage, as the two personalities don’t always play nicely together.
After close to a decade, Aaron has decided to leave BMW’s prestigious Designworks USA. 3 years with BMW body shops led to a long stint at Designworks, where Von Minden took part in some seriously impressive projects. McLaren F1, MINI, Rolls Royce. Aaron built design models for all of them, not to mention many internal projects that may not have been seen by prying outside eyes.
I’m sure the powers that be at BMW will be sad to see him go, as should future BMW owners. For those of us who get excited by the work that the Savage side of Aaron’s abilities create, you can be sure that he has only just begun. Next up on the resto train is a sweet Hemi powered 1970 Road Runner!
I reported in late December that MINI was looking to enter the SUV fray with a Clubman like vehicle that they will most probably dub the “Crossman.” Well Eurospies have gotten a sneak peek of the new SUV going through its testing paces. Continue reading →
On the heels of the Clubman, Mini is adding another new model to their product line. The “Crossman” will be Mini’s version of an SUV.
The Crossman will be manufactured in Austria at Magna International - where the BMW X3 is also produced - making it the first Mini to be built outside of the UK. The Mini Crossman is expected to have production numbers of around 45,000 units, with possible AWD and FWD versions. Mini says the Crossman should arrive on the market in 2010.
Mini seems fixated with the letter C (Cooper, Clubman and now Crossman).
It seems that TheGarageBlog has become Mini obsessed. Here’s my two cents. Mini has come a long way in North America after being introduced to the mainstream populace as Mr. Bean’s late 1970s MK IV British LeylandMini 1000. Bean did everything from getting dressed in it while driving to steering it while sitting in an armchair strapped to the roof. Rowan Atkinson you were nearsighted! Your lime green/yellow foil has become as big a star as you. Continue reading →
It’s a funny thing that one notices when lapping in a little convertible. 100 miles per hour in the MINI Cooper S Convertible feels much faster than 135 does in the Shelby GT500.
My pit lane notes from the IMPA test days at Pocono Raceway are pretty simple when it comes to the lidless MINI.
It is such a shame that cameras don’t catch the colour orange in all it’s glory cause this MINI Cooper S wears a coat that is eyeball searing shade of dayglo. Fortunately this little shoebox won’t be mistaken for a pylon any time soon. This thing is quick!
I’m somewhat ashamed to say that this was my first ever drive in a modern MINI and it’s already in its’ second generation. Why? Well, the opportunity just never presented itself. Over the past few cars I’ve heard terms like rollerskate, go kart, formula car applied to the MINI and I was eager to get on with MINI experience. Continue reading →
While sifting through some La Carrera videos last night, I came across this video from last Fall of Markus Winkelhock rolling a MINI at the Nordschleife track. This must have been one hell of a ride!
As a child of the early post punk era, who still holds 1982 dear, I still hang on to a thread of integrity in the nastiness of alternative music. Ok, so I’m old and I like Eminem, but I still remember what John Lydon and his mates were yelling about.
Forget about the Bollocks though, MINI is all about fun and what could be more fun than a make believe music label, hosted by the folks at MINI? Well, lots of things really. The whole thing is pretty lame, but I’m sure the MINI family had a lot of fun putting it all together and they’re hoping the MINI faithful will have fun with it too.
Maybe Simon Cowell could ad some edge to this new project from MINI, but only if he can convince Paula to sport a mowhawk.
Canadian fans of the classic Mini Clubman rejoice, for MINI has released most of the details you want about the new MINI Clubman that is coming to our shores. Taking the friendly face, style and performance that MINI owners love and mix in a bit of utility and you’ve got what looks like it will be a winning package. Continue reading →
