The MINI CLUBMAN. The other MINI. MINI to the 1oth power. MINI with room for more stuff.
Well, before we get into this week’s Dissection, our GIVEAWAY goes like this…
See this lil’ 64th scale TOMY Cooper? Super hard to find and I found this in Switzerland. It’s yours. IF, you can give the Clubman at the top an appropriate NAME. Post your suggestion and the winner will be revealed this Monday. PLUS, they’ll get an extra Fireballed surprise! But, you have to post your comment only at the home blog HERE. This Dissection gets posted in 30 different places!!!
Ok, the CLUBMAN…. Since I’m into to MINIs, you’d think this was a given. So, I should like the CLUBMAN. Well then, you’d be wrong…
I don’t like the CLUBMAN… I adore the CLUBMAN. It’s all the things that MINI is, plus a wee tad more. Actually, a lot more. There were many ways to do this car, but the designers chose to take the road of uniqueness. 5 doors, placed in a unique formation. Two front, one extra on the passenger side, and two suicide style in the rear. When I went to see the boys at MINIUSA at the LA Auto Show, Prez Jim McDowell did a great job at expressing how fun the rear doors were to open. “I could do this all day,” he said.
But all the reasons that MINIS are fun to drive, beautiful to look at, ways to modify and personalize, there’s one one reason to have this car. Because it’s different. And while other cars are suffereing during the gas hike, the MINIS are flourishing.
The tagline for this car should be, “GET ONE, AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.” ‘Cause things do… This is not a commercial, but this is my honest opinion of a successful design enhanced to broaden it’s appeal. Much like a movie, this could have gone wrong in a thousand different ways.
But, as cool as it is, it’s not perfect. It has flaws and many of you who have bought this car agree that there are slightly subtle things that come to mind. But, even with those flaws, they are personal choices. Example: The center cluster is big enough for the people 2 cars behind you to see how fast you’re going. But, none of these issues are quality relate. The car is just solid, like a MINI should be. And with 7 sextillion options to go along with it, it will take you 12 years to put your car together (slight exaggeration).
If you’re weird, different, unique, inspired, funny looking or just plain nuts, then this is the car for you. And if you want to see a whole host of them in one place, then come to the Rose Bowl on August 1-3. MINI TAKES THE STATES will be in LA. And so will EVERY MINI west of Texas. Come by and say “hi.”
Design Enhanced. That’s the new CLUBMAN. Check out the R60 SUV coming, too! AN SUV!!!??? Well yea, duh. You gotta have something to pull your MINI outta the mud at the race track….
I’d call the MINI Design Language “Fun Surfacing.” As in, the elements that make up the components of the car are round, bulbous and funny looking. All adding up to one hellava good time. Just be careful how you park it….
Okay, here it is because YOU asked for it. “BLOGDISSECTION.™” Like my show on MyRide, “Auto Dissection,” only… it’s on my blog, duh. And since it’s the first one, I’ll call it… #oo1. Isn’t it neat how I thought that up? I’m just kinda deep that way.
Whatever… Here we go.
The CAMARO is here. …Almost.
A very long time in the making, …and there’s a huge list in Santa’s lap for this one. So why? Nostalgia? History? Power? Design? Well, …all actually.
But, since design is my thing, and this is “BLOGDISSECTION™,” that’s what we’ll discuss.
I’ve chosen silver to look at, mostly because the form is easier to read. And that’s what car companies do for the first few passes. No glitzy colors, but straight forward design. And this car rocks in many ways.
I’ve seen the Challenger and Camaro both up close. The Challenger is beefy, muscled and aggressive. But the Camaro is like a 50 yard sprinter with a six pack, groomed for the red sharp launch. Lean, ectomorphed and ready for serious power sprints.
The design captures all the nostalgia of the original passion, but it is now sculpted as if carved from Michelangelo’s magnetic fingers. If you were to take the wheels off and fill in the space, a beauty of a speed form it would be. Camaro fanatics will rock this car hard, and get in serious trouble with the cops. I anticipate a girth of tickets flowing through the system, funding all sorts of neat things.;(
There’s an interesting “pinched” element along the beltline that gives the impression of a lean waist. I dig that. A hip that diverts into the waist, then egresses up to the shoulder in front. Looks as if it’s been chopped and channeled. That’s the language. I’d call it “Pinched Surfacing.” Bitchin.’
The greenhouse is also lean. Tight, small glass gives a cocooned feel, or cockpitted. “Enter this space and we’ll launch,” it says. But be ready…
Tail lights are robotic. Following this beast is intimidating. But, my MINI would take him…;-) A three door wagon is a push. Interesting, but it may fall the wayside of the Magnum. Although, at 2 side doors, the lean waist still works.
As an overall design (I don’t know the initial conceptualist), this is a very successful approach. Although, coming to the table a bit late, it should do very well. So, where is it??
Who wantsa Golf, Fireball style? Bring it…
Yesterday was a big day. My company, FIREBALLED!, finalized a deal with CINEMA VEHICLE SERVICES to create something extraordinary. Press Release will come soon, but I believe that if you put it out there, it has to come back. No matter what. It’s the Law.
I’ve known Ray Claridge at CVS for a very long time. A Man of worth, sincerity and and extreme value. Not many like him around. He does what he says, always on time, and there is nothing false about him. His crew is the same. Bob, Oscar, Amy, Sam and the rest. Which is probably why for the last 35 years, he’s built virtually EVERY movie car on the planet. Oh, … if you’re not familiar with CVS, hit the link. In the next few weeks, you’ll see some cool changes to the website. Some serious Fireball action will begin to appear. Because, as of yesterday, my new home for cool designs and cool builds will be CVS.
Yes, we’ll have tours. Yes, we’ll have SEMINARBQS. Yes, we’ll have an entirely new program for LIMITED EDITIONS and yes… my playground just grew to over 100,000 square feet. Design, Fabrication and EVERYTHING in between. Just you wait and see what’s coming….
This is history… And I’m grateful to do it with a man of integrity.
“Take the first step. You don’t have to climb the whole staircase.”
Martin Luther King
I’m considering doing design DISSECTIONS here. If I get enough positive feedback, I’ll go all hog wild…
Ferraris, Yugos, MINIS… whatever suits the bill. If it’s cool, it needs to be dissected.
Good design. Well, that’s a personal thing, right? Sorta. But I look at it like this…
IT’S COOL AND I LIKE IT, DUH!!! So, …if that’s the way I feel and the car looks bitchin’ for all the reasons a car SHOULD look bitchin,’ then it’s a done deal. Maybe Fridays will be DISSECTION DAY? What do you guys think?
Oh, and this little beast here is an HPI RACING MINI. If I could fit in it, I’d rock it. All time Classic Design. SEE YOU ALL AT MINI MEET WEST this Saturday!! Bring your cameras ’cause I wanna get photos with EVERYONE!!
WOO HOO!!!!
FT. What got you into Pinstriping?
My Dad was my sole inspiration in pinstriping. I was just 13 watching him stripe, so I asked him to teach me. He handed me a brush and said, “have at it.” He was amazed at what I was able to do and from there, I had met a real known pinstriper named Butch’r (Butch Tucker of Mesa Arizona) He tucked me under his wing and showed me some old school Pinstriping techniques. I will never forget the people who molded me into the pinstriper I am today.
2. Who were the old schoolers that inspired you?
Some of the stripers I really looked up to of course were my Dad and Butch’r, but also some of the old timers that were around. Some of the originators of Pinstriping included Von Dutch, Ed “Big Daddy” Roth and Dean Jefferies just to name a few…
3. What do you currently own and what’s your dream ride?
The cars I own right now are some that I have had for quite some time. They include a 1929 Ford Roadster Pickup, 1932 Ford Vicky, 1955 Ford Sedan Delivery, 1956 Belair Aagon, 1957 Ford Wagon and a 2007 Custom painted Chevy HHR. As for dream cars……… if I could have one of every year would be bitch’n.
4. What does Pinstriping do for you?
Pinstriping has been my life. It not only provides an income to live off of, but it provides my inner soul my creativity and comes out in my Pinstriping. I share the talent with those who wish to learn and love to see little kids come up to me at a show and are in awe about what I am doing. Sometimes I will hand them a brush and let them try it. It’s cool to see their facial expressions… I get life out of my Pinstriping…
5. What can you tell young kids of today that would get them passionate about this art form?
What I can tell kids is that with Pinstriping, or any other type of art form, is an expression of themselves. They can create, and with that it shows positive self-esteem and gratification of what they have created. With that, other people get to enjoy such a lust for art…. I try to teach kids this form of art so we can keep it alive. The first time I met you, I knew we would get along just great. I have to admit the filming (Street Tuner Challenge) that I did with you and your team was one of the best times I have ever had. I just want to thank you for including me in the things you and your team do.
Big thanks to “Styles” for his passion.
A couple of weekends ago, I got a call from my buddy Chuck sayin,’ “Hey Fireball! Get yer butt over to FLAMES and see some the coolest rods in LA!” So, off I went. And since I hit over a hundred shows a year, I expected to see way cool stuff. And it didn’t disappoint.
But that got me thinking again. Why do I love cars so much? Why do ALL of us love cars?
Honestly? … Most cars are designed by men. Most men appreciate the beauty of the female form. In ALL it’s forms. And car designs… are inspired by women mostly. Shapes and curves, concave and convex surfaces. Textures. There are many other influences, but the designer of the ‘68 Split Window Vette (Harry Bradley) said this point blank… “I designed the Vette after seeing a woman dance and bend backwards on the ground as one of her moves. The most beautiful thing I had ever seen. THAT inspired me.”
This is not sleazy. Nor strange in any way. God has created a situation that allows beauty to inspire us all. From form in nature to the thing that attracts all men most. The human body. Look closely and you’ll see for your self.
Check out some of the rides above with new eyes. Let it guide your soul on a journey of inspiration. And let that journey help you to appreciate design.
An congratulations to Chuck for winning BEST OF SHOW with his “Rodriguez!”
Time for Chocolate…
When days like this roll around, I quizzically wonder why I feel mixed emotions. But, it seems silly to celebrate Fathers on one day out of the year. We should celebrate them all the time. Mother’s, too. In fact, that goes for everyone! Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love my Dad. But, I would say that from now on, I’m going to make a commitment to make him feel appreciated all year.
Now, he’ll read this and I know what he’ll say…
“WOO HOO! I GET 365 PRESENTS!!!”
Wups. Now I’m in BIG trouble…. HAPPY FATHER’S DAY, EVERYONE!!!
As you build out a business, not everything is going to work. At least, not in the way you expect sometimes. That’s why it’s important to step away for a bit of time, then re-visit the concept. Is it really worth doing? A lot of driving this week, out to Cinema Vehicles as they work on Knight Rider, structure a new twist on the Limited Edition Program and Design Tattoos for CarTatts. Fun work.
For all the successful ventures I’ve been into, there are three times as many that haven’t worked. But the point is, you keep going. Believe in what you’re trying to build and take strong steps to achieve it. You noticed I said “Believe.” If you believe it, you’ll see it. That’s the Law of the Universe.
Visualize. Believe. Conceive. …and add some cool cars to that to make a kickass CarMartini.
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