Legendary artist gives MINI a makeover

The work of legendary artist, illustrator and graphic designer Alan Aldridge is now on show at the Design Museum in London in a visually stunning exhibition of custom designs on the MINI Aldridge Special.

See more pictures of this extraordinary car in our gallery below.

Entitled The Man with Kaleidoscope Eyes, the MINI Aldridge Special is adorned with an array of images, shapes and patterns, each reflecting either a male or female theme, just as the 1965 car did.

The design theme is split between each side of the car, the driver side being largely set on a blue background and masculine in appearance, with passenger near side artistry backed on pink.

Dubbed 'The Graphic Entertainer', Aldridge became known throughout the 1960s and 1970s for his illustrated lyric books for the Beatles, album covers for The Rolling Stones, The Who and Elton John.

He was also Art Director for Penguin Books and illustrated much-loved children's books such as The Butterfly Ball. nextpage

Now working in Los Angeles, Alan was keen to mark the opening of his exhibition by recreating an iconic cover of the Sunday Times Magazine, which in 1965 featured a classic Mini painted in his own, inimitable style.

The updated interpretation of this image, using a new MINI One as the canvas for Alan's design, featured in the 12 October 2008 edition of the publication, again, warranting front cover status. nextpage

"MINI will be celebrating its 50th birthday in 2009, so this is the perfect way to begin celebrating 50 years of the car in the UK," says Alan Hearn, MINI UK General Manager.

"The work of Alan Aldridge is synonymous with some of the most important names in the history of British culture, so we're delighted to support this exhibition by offering Alan a car to work on."nextpage

The exhibition runs until 25 January 2009.

MINI fans and the British public will get another chance to see the MINI Aldridge Special in the metal at MINI United next year, the global MINI event which will be staged at a renowned British race circuit between 22-24 May 2009.