A few weeks ago was the Canadian Interational Auto Show (CIAS). The show was pretty amazing, seeing all the new concept cars and displays. I was contacted by Candice & Alison (www.candiceandalison.com) to be part of the MINI display area. Candice & Alison were commissioned by MINI to design and produce the Canadian launch of the MINI Beachcomber concept car at the 2010 Canadian International Auto Show (CIAS). The theme concept was a 1950's Beach Tailgate Party which included Pin up style models with era inspired costumes. Adding to the beach party theme, Candice & Alison approached me to have Lil'G (mini boombox) accompany the models showcasing the display area. Everything went amazing, the MINI Beachcomber - concept car was very well received. The models (Jon, Vlada and Caitlyn) were all decked out in their beach wear and looked the part of 50s beach babes and dude. With Lil'G at their side as they showed off the new car from MINI.

Getting ready for the event took a lot of work. The Lil'G prototype wasn't fully ready for the event, so I had to have new parts rapid prototyped for the back section. Creating the slot for the MP3 players to be inserted into. Industrial Designer Jason Nip (DesigNet) was a large part of getting Lil'G up to speed (http://jasonnip.tumblr.com/post/382588182/lilg-the-creation-of-a-new-vinyl-toy), together we brought Lil'G to what it would be on store shelves. MINI/Candice & Alison requested that it be a full working model as it would look at retail.

Feel free to contact me with any questions or for additional photos.


Cheers

Jasin

Pin-up girls Caitlyn, Jon and Vlada.

Pin-up girls Caitlyn and Vlada.



Below is further information on the MINI concept car and the event:

Yes, the Mini Beachcomber concept from Detroit was driven through the CIAS by a man wearing a shark head and two bikini-ed beauties. Either way, the open-top four seater previews the Countryman crossover coming from the British-German brand in spring 2011. The Beachcomber is meant to mimic the Mini Moke of the 1960s. It is actually the first Mini concept to be shown at the CIAS and the first vehicle to preview the brand's new all-wheel drive system.

The production Countryman will be the first Mini with four-doors, the first Mini over four metres long and the first AWD Mini. The interior rail system from the concept will carry over as well, allowing features like armrests, cupholders and even iPod docks to be connected. Mini's recent confirmation that the Countryman will be built alongside their Coupe and Roadster models clearly demonstrates that they're intent on expanding the brand into different segments of the market - a move that shows significant confidence for the formerly one-horse brand.

While Mini won't produce an exact copy of the Beachcomber for the road, it will be producing a toned down version called the Countryman. The concept's removable doors and fabric roof won't make the cut. However, the pseudo dune buggy's ALL4 all-wheel-drive system and turbocharged four-cylinder engine will.

 

Lil'G Designer: Jasin Dollin with event planners: Candace and Alison

(www.jasindollin.com  www.candiceandalison.com)