How I Designed The MINI COOPER....

[@FrankStephensondesign]

Hi! Thanks for watching. If you're interested in learning more about my personal and design history, there is a documentary called 'Chasing Perfect' available to stream on Netflix and to purchase on Amazon and all other trusted outlets. If you're interest in owning a limited edition of one of these sketches - they are available to buy here; www.frankstephenson.com/product/the-bulldog-and-the-mini-limited-edition-sketch-print/ Thanks, FS

[@zaneaugulis5041]

Can't wait to watch that!

[@willadams9001]

If you'd like to come to Oxford (again?) any time soon, we'd welcome you on a tour of how we build the current generation of vehicles

[@NombreApellido-qz5bu]

Yo tengo este coche( Mini Cooper R50 1.6 16v) del año 2002. He de decir q aún hoy, después de 18 años que tiene, la gente se le queda mirando y sigue llamando un montón la atención. Y desde que lo tengo he tenido varias ofertas de compra en la propia calle. También, mucha gente, se hace fotos con él. Otros, se paran a verlo. Nunca me había pasado antes con otros coches que he tenido. Es ágil y juguetón. En no muchos años será un futuro clásico. Está claro que estás hecho un artista y se nota. Saludos.

[@FrankStephensondesign]

Nombre Apellido Muchísimas gracias N y me alegro que sigues disfrutando del coche después de tantos años. Creo que tienes la R53, verdad?

[@NombreApellido-qz5bu]

@@FrankStephensondesign No, es el R50 . Es del 2002 blanco pimienta con la bandera de cuadros en el techo y los retrovisores. El R53 es con un ligero restyling. El mío es tu creación original. Además lo que más me gusta es que es el mini moderno que reproduce fielmente el concepto original del mini clásico. Para mi, más que los actuales. Es muy chulo y lo cuido un montón ya que yo lo compré después de estar parado y guardado en un Pabellón bastante tiempo. Lo compró una señora de capricho y no lo usaba. Además otra cosa que me gusta es que tiene un diseño tan atemporal que no se ve viejo ni anticuado ni por fuera ni por dentro. La calidad interior es muy buena y resiste el paso del tiempo perfectamente nada roto nada gastado. Siempre he oído que los motores son malos y la verdad que jamás me a dado un problema de nada. Si te pica la curiosidad y lo quieres ver, lo he puesto en Instagram. Busca Keltae85 y te saldrá mi perfil. Está en perfil privado pero te acepto. Un saludo.

[@dappergent9422]

What I love about this guy is he uses a 99p Bic pen. It proves you don't need 'Designer' drawing instruments to create something beautiful, just a talented, creative mind.

[@jonfarah8529]

Since I began transportation design school. All that we used are a bit pen ( I prefer bic round stic) 2 stabilo pencils purple and blue and your regular print A3 paper )

[@Cupat1]

Yes a simple £1 pen, I don't use all this 99 crap, is all you need and talent

[@edgarbeat275]

I love sketching with cheep Biros My avitar is a biro sketch.

[@jogb9515]

Bic pens are hideous, a huge waste of plastic for a tiny bit of ink. They're also pretentious; look at me designing with my shit pen. Get a good quality mechanical pencil: nicer to use, smaller footprint.

[@chrisanderson270]

@@jogb9515 Haha I actually agree with you and the original post

[@andreblackaller3560]

Mr. Frank Stephenson I doubt you’ll see this but I wanted to thank you because you created my dream car which eventually became my first car and made me the happiest guy on the planet. I saw the Cooper on magazines when I was a kid but I still remember the first time I saw one in real life, it was a Cooper S back in my hometown in México, it was so breathtakingly beautiful that I set my mind to work hard and get one as my first car, I worked odd jobs for 3 years while in High-School and saved every penny till I got enough money to buy one. It was a 2006 Indy Blue Cooper S, it had the manual transmission and the panoramic sunroof. When I sat on it and drove it through the backroads of my hometown I couldn’t help but cry, I couldn’t believe that such a masterpiece was mine. I’ve never felt as happy or proud as I felt that day, I loved that Car more than words can describe.

[@FrankStephensondesign]

That makes me very happy to read and know André…Fuerza MINI! Pero dime, qué pasó que ahora no la tienes? Fue uno de los últimos de la primera serie?

[@andreblackaller3560]

@@FrankStephensondesign It was the first generation, and yes one of the last ones. Well, I budgeted enough money to buy it but not to actually keep it running which should’ve been a factor that my 17 year old self didn’t really consider. Eventualmente era demasiado caro para mí mantenerlo y tuve que venderlo para pagar la universidad. Thank you so much for taking the time and replying! I can’t believe I’m talking with FRANK STEPHENSON!!!

[@ahmedp800]

Timeless design in my opinion, still looks modern today. Up there with 1st-gen R8.

[@x-90]

They look timeless cause the companies don’t do a full redesign. For example the new 8 Series BMW looks different from the older one. If you look at a Porsche 911 from the same era it looks very similar to today’s Porsche

[@ahmedp800]

@@x-90 Ok, Explain the R8.

[@alperenerol1852]

also true for 911

[@t0k1d0k1]

1st generation Audi R8 design was decades ahead of it's time. Weirdly enough I think the following R8 models look dated already. That's just my humble opinion.

[@alperenerol1852]

@@t0k1d0k1 yeah man sports cars from the 90s are timeless

[@thomasrupesinghe]

TBH I previously wasn't a fan of this gen of Mini but after watching this I have a new appreciation for the design

[@daviddobrikbestbits9116]

I’m my opinion it was the best of the modern designs, stayed true to it’s look and still had the quirkinesses that everyone loved about the original

[@SpitfireFortyFour]

@@anonymic79 Thats because the R50 was still more AustinRover than BMW.

[@Noriek_tok]

I own this gen of car and everything just feels like it’s had tasteful design on it. I have the refresh model which just adds some finishing touches to Frank’s design. I can appreciate just about every angle. And now I understand the overbite lol.

[@JobForAMaxboy]

Exactly the same here. Seeing the design come together, certain elements make sense to me now. Although, I'm still unsure about the grill. It's the one thing I still don't know if I'll ever like about minis

[@kevboard]

pretty sure it's impossible to image a version of this car in that moment in time that would have been a better fit. absolute perfection

[@FrankStephensondesign]

Thanks K! 👍

[@azhurelpigeon]

I love how you’ve designed cars across several brands & I never could have been able to tell that one person did it all because your loyalty to the brand’s design language & its history over your own personal design style

[@TigerPrawnKing]

The bulldog design has blown my mind !!! I always felt the Britishness of the design but I could never but my finger to it. It's truly amazing design when you can feel the intended design cue but it's not immediately obvious until much later.

[@FrankStephensondesign]

Thanks !

[@cookmaz1610]

Imagine how cool it would be to sit next to this guy on a bus and he can just point random cars and be like “hey I designed that”. 😍😍❤️

[@VitalMusic217]

This design is pure genius. One of the best retro adaptations ever along with 2005 Ford GT. It will never look old.

[@MTNitroRC]

Proud to own one myself.. cant believe how well it has aged for being 20 years old now.

[@FrankStephensondesign]

That's good to hear - timeless design

[@jamescartier8728]

@@FrankStephensondesign People routinely ask if mine is a 2016/17/18. I am proud to say that it is 15 years old!

[@theplug4981]

@@jamescartier8728 the best mini is the 2020 one with the flag headlights. Can't top that

[@R3LF13]

Same

[@BlahBleeBlahBlah]

@@jamescartier8728 same here, mine’s a 2002 so now 18 years old. I love keeping her clean and shiny, so I get the same shocked reaction when I tell them how old she is :-)

[@shankarbalan3813]

I own the R56 Cooper S derivative here in India. Every time I look at it, I fall in love with it all over again. It is a wonderful city runabout and being such a powerful, tough and highly stable car, it is fun to take it out on the highways too. It feels absolutely planted at highway speeds. And the design is cheeky and quirky and an absolute head turner. I love this car.

[@bezetuba]

I never drew in my life but now I feel like grabbing a BIC pen an a sheet of paper and start sketching! Incredible series, thank you Frank!

[@FrankStephensondesign]

Thank you for watching!

[@barefeats]

Big fan of Frank's rendering of the BMW MINI -- still driving and loving my 2006 MINI Cooper S JCW.

[@FrankStephensondesign]

Happy you are enjoying the MINI

[@MichaelWatts]

Brilliant! thank you Frank!

[@FrankStephensondesign]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@n3rVex]

Loved the fact you even think about how it might feel when you wash the car.

[@antonioperez1624]

The first generation “new” Mini was a fantastic design. It was truly a younger image of the original, with some key touches that were faithful to the classic design. After that the car has grown increasingly chubby and larger, qualities that the classic Mini did not have. For that reason, for me, the appeal has been lost. The car may be more spacious, powerful, and have all the modern creature comforts, but that is just the opposite of what the appeal of the original is. So the new Mini, not for me, thanks.

[@FrankStephensondesign]

I agree! Thanks for your comments.

[@owensmith7530]

And this sums up why I am still driving a 2002 Mini Cooper S which I bought brand new. I am looking forward to its twentieth birthday.

[@dudemastermaster8944]

Agreed. Got a 2004 mini. Next car is going to be the New Audi A1. (Or another old generation Mini)

[@felipesantossomavilla2320]

This design has aged very well. Great job!!

[@owensmith7530]

Bruno Desrosiers Have you had the oil leaks fixed yet? I'm having mine done shortly. Not Frank Stephenson's fault obviously, he didn't specify dodgy gaskets I'm sure.

[@lifeofarthid3232]

also a proud owner of an R53. pickup up one two years ago when I was 40 years old. back in the day when it was first released I was still a bit too young and didn't make enough money to be able afford it. Nearly 20 years has passed now that I'm financially stable. I still went back to search for one and restored it to almost brand new condition plus more parts of todays standard. just want to thank you for what you have done. 🙏❤

[@AutoPlus4U]

Super! Now I knew who's the legend. Thank you Frank for designing such an iconic car on the road.

[@jorgeaspron]

Confirming also that BIC pens are timeless, universal and iconic ✍️

[@AdelMalekMD]

amazing design, love the vanishing point at the top... well done

[@FrankStephensondesign]

Thank you very much!

[@alexlamas6324]

Wow! Thank you, thank you, thank you for saving the MINI, for bringing it into the 21st Century and for making a new icon. I love my MINI and have become a MINI enthusiast from now on. And now I know who is responsible. Thank you Frank for giving all of us MINI fans lots of joy!

[@radiowyn1703]

I used to be a BMW motor vehicle technician and a lifelong original Mini enthusiast, I had my first Mini aged 13. I went on a BMW training course at Bracknell just before the then new BMW MINI was launched and as part of the course we also had a tour of the factory at Oxford. MINI production had just commenced. I remember walking into the BMW workshops at Bracknell and seeing 3 new MINIS lined up for the very first time, I instantly recognised the look of the cars as Mini, they clearly had that Mini DNA built into the design (they were not a Mini, nothing from the original car was carried over and my love for the original Issigonis Mini reminded me of that, but the new car was a perfect tribute to the original and another chapter in the Mini story). In my view the first gen MINI design is masterpiece, it looks right from every angle, great fun to drive and just like the original car has stood the test of time proving the original Frank Stephenson look was right. It is a shame that BMW didn’t stick with it, but maybe, it is the fact that they didn’t that is now making the first gen R50 MINI look so appealing to the eye when you see them on the road. After owning so many Issigonis Minis, I now cannot afford to buy one, so bought myself an R52 MINI last year, I love it! Great to revisit the car.

[@FrankStephensondesign]

👍

[@BerkKaplanDesigner]

Thats great to watch the story directly from you! Can 't wait to see the other iconic designs of yours!

[@FrankStephensondesign]

Thanks Berk for your feedback

[@bambambambamba1]

videoların ilham verici. abone oldum izlemeye başlıyorum

[@owen5640]

I love my Mini and I love the design of the taillights, but those panels love to rust. Water constantly gets trapped in between the taillights and body. That's my only complaint with the car, the rest is flawless design and truly timeless. Thanks for designing such a great car. It was my first car and now it's my project car.

[@rare6499]

Phenomenal Frank thanks for sharing! The R50 is one of the best pieces of design of the modern era IMO. It is just fantastic, perfect really.

[@FrankStephensondesign]

Thank you Josh

[@mrjasonmills]

Thanks Mr Stephenson for sharing your design process! I was so enthralled by the r50. I remember getting a post card from Mini with the original 1997 concept car and actually framing it. The moment I heard it was going to production, I showed up to a BMW dealer to place a deposit. I finally picked up my indi blue/white mini in 2002 and enjoyed it for 10 years. You nailed the proportions and details so perfectly in the first generation. It truly is a timeless design. Thank you for crafting a vehicle with such a fantastic personality.

[@FrankStephensondesign]

Thank you!

[@jenBaker707]

I absolutely love this design. It is timeless. I have enjoyed looking at it every day for the last 5 years!!!! It already is a timeless classic that cannot be replaced in my book. The design of this R53 is still selling this MINI brand, because every design change after it has been for the worse. I can't thank you enough for bringing this to life. It is such a joy. A bit of history I kept it stock for the first 4 years anticipating a breakdown that has still never happened. Bought it with 80k on it and it now has 140k. Nothing but tender-loving general maintenance. I'm always listening for a new sound and it runs like a top. So lets put a cam in it and big injectors, have the ecu tuned, get rid of those cats with some headers and finish off with a single muffler exhaust, some more boost, intake, just everything we can bolt-on and give it over 200 wheel horsepower. Now I got the cutest, and fastest car :) Game over, I win. I can't wait till the clutch goes out so that we can rebuild the lower end of the motor and put a limited slip diff in it. If I had two, I'd just go ahead and do it. Maybe I need two...

[@jasonpierce-newmodelbarmy3394]

I bought my R50 Cooper 15 years ago from new. Now I couldn't bare to part with it.........after all these years I still look back at it wherever it's parked and fall in love with it over and over again! Truly the mark of a design classic. You nailed this one sir. Such a shame the more recent versions seem to have missed the aesthetic qualities of your original. They've only redeemed themselves of late with the union jack tail lights!!!

[@Snesbass]

It's an honor to watch this video! Thank you for this design, I'm proud to own one! I've dreamed for this job when I was younger.

[@AntiHurdaci]

you sir, are a legend. Love my mini! Still stands out after all those years

[@lurcharoni]

Thank you for this sir ... Bought one in 2004 and to this day it was my favorite car I ever owned in 35 years of driving. What a great design ... and even at 6'7" it fit me like a glove ... ingenious!

[@jeykeimon]

Mr. Stephenson, thank you very much for sharing your design experiences and processes, it's very valuable for us the starters in the area. Much appreciated!

[@mouseanalyse]

Finally somebody on youtube that can do more than talk about cars and drive them. Love this new channel and how you calmly make great live drawings of your iconic designs. Respect!

[@FrankStephensondesign]

Thank you, much appreciated.

[@macmaccourt]

'Form is function!' Great overview, Frank! It would be great to hear the story of the exhaust design too. An iconic design element!

[@FrankStephensondesign]

Thanks for watching! Yes, the stories of each car are coming after the - How I designed... series.

[@bluedunn374]

I loved the Mini and the Fiat for some reason, I was drawn to thier style, then once i discovered you designed them it all made sense, well done sir and thank you.

[@wujus2]

Amazing to see legends like You here on youtube. Looking forward for more insights from the world of Car Design!

[@FrankStephensondesign]

Thank you! Stayed tuned...

[@roddydykes7053]

An insane amount of media: movie posters, video game covers, magazines, mall kiosks, etc, prominently featured the new Mini on them in the 2000s. Must be a surreal experience to be walking around and see your creations out in the wild.

[@franciscof.8368]

Wonderful. Superlative. I hope we have more of this kind of video for any classic car!!

[@FrankStephensondesign]

More to come!

[@justjoe7313]

Phenomenal design indeed! Thank you for posting this, it's extremely interesting to understand what is going on in some shape and what makes it attractive and timeless.

[@FrankStephensondesign]

Thank you

[@tylerduncan8687]

Thank you for taking the time to explain your design choices and thoughts, It really adds a depth to the cars. I have a first gen Mini Cooper S and an E53 BMW X5 and just today realized that you designed both of these iconic cars! I was unwittingly a fan of yours this whole time.

[@daCATgraphics]

As an owner of the new Mini Cooper Electric I really appreciated this video. Easily my favorite car I have owned.

[@helenacoan3627]

Amazing Frank! Such an incredible design and so proud to have one of my own!

[@martinherrington9499]

Fantastic piece of work. It managed to be obviously a Mini and obviously modern at the same time. This was part of a sequence of cars that “reimagined” classics and brought them up to date - VW Beetle, Fiat 500, Ford Mustang. For me, this Mini was the best of the group. Thank you.

[@deanosaur808]

The London taxi was the best of the lot. The others 🤮

[@rufio2]

Frank please do the 4th Gen! It needs your hand again

[@FrankStephensondesign]

Yes! I left BMW for Ferrari in 2001@japanwatchconnection

[@parismalaspinas2488]

@@FrankStephensondesign So this is why newer BMWs look so bad.

[@razvanandreidragomir428]

@@parismalaspinas2488 Not all of them but yeah, they kinda lost their sense even tho they are faster, more aggressive looking they really feel like they don t have a soul which is sad.

[@parismalaspinas2488]

@@razvanandreidragomir428 They are just not as attractive as they used to be. I like the new 8 series and the m2 but other than those 2 i agree with you they have lost their soul and charisma.

[@vulekv93]

@@razvanandreidragomir428 You hit the nail on the head! They are trying too hard. They are all too aggressive and angry.

[@chrisclark7181]

I've had a Frank designed Mini Cooper S (JCW) for almost 17 years. It now lives most of the year in a heated garage, a future classic for which I salute you, sir.

[@richardlennie8678]

Great video Frank and thank-you for keeping the main aesthetics of the original mini but at the same time bringing it into the 21st century.! Great Job.

[@FrankStephensondesign]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@markscotchford4159]

Can see why you are so proud of this one. All the elements you incorporated and the insight into your design, and your drawings. So brilliant and enlightening. Thank you.

[@Liam.mitchell1]

Such an iconic design. Legendary.

[@magicalrobster]

Thanks for the wonderful design Frank, I still have my r53 mini and love it. I never knew about the bulldog look. Now I look at it it makes me laugh as I can see the underbite. That'll make me smile more when I see it in the morning. Hope you're doing well.

[@bynumjimmy]

fantastic video. Please keep posting. Wonderful.

[@FrankStephensondesign]

We will! Thank you for watching!

[@justamanchimp]

This is genuinely the first KZbin channel I've ever subscribed to just after watching only one video. Truly amazing content for the world right here people!

[@theplug4981]

Bs

[@jinxtacy]

I like how that first new Mini still had the appeal of the older ones. The news ones just look huge.

[@petermeitzler9981]

Fantastic video. Thanks for sharing. Your design was what made me join Zipcar, so I could rent Mini Coopers.....which you could for a time. If we call your redesign the Series 1 of the new era, I still stare at it. And your video articulates thoughts I felt about the design but couldn't put into words quite so well as you do. I loved those tiny round side indicator lights (which later bloated into something garish). That combined with the artistic color and design choices buyers had (Union Jack roofs), and the whimsical campaigns. Remember the Coop and me videos? Even the interior warning chimes and accent lighting were classy. Now that you mention it, no manufacturer really goes to the trouble of drilling out holes in sheet metal to insert tail lights. I believe you should mention the extra design attention to the curved window glass around the C pillar...evidently that was a more expensive design to produce, which I think they modified later. Clever and gorgeous. Looking at the Mini lineup now, I think the only one that comes closest to that sense of right design your Series 1 created is oddly enough, the 4 door Clubman. Best wishes.

[@zodiacmanan]

I am still astonished about the detail of the rear light placement and its perception. Mind blowing. Take a bow, FS!

[@kevinszoo]

I have my R53 for 15 years, still love it. Thank you

[@FrankStephensondesign]

Enjoy it

[@remip3604]

Love it Frank. Excited about the series!

[@AK-tl2nm]

0:08 I have never known a designer so passionate as to shed a tear just recalling the task of designing the vehicle.

[@I4k_au]

Do you know many designers?

[@deanosaur808]

🤣🤣🤣

[@brvjrt4861]

my mother had the original Mini back in the sixties, still under Franco's dictatorship and I love both the car and my mom's attitude towards life. She was single and at that time you couldn't get any driving license unless your husband's permission... but she rebelled and got both the driving license and a beatiful red + withe roof Mini! In 2014 I bought her a second hand R56, also red but with black roof instead. You shoud have see her face when she saw it!!! 😍 I didn't know you were the designer, but now I know... BIG THANKS for your visionary work!!! 🙏 It still brings me a smile when I aproach the car and also when I drive it! ❤️❤️❤️

[@Andoniscars]

Mr Stephenson thanks for sharing this. Looking forward for more videos with other iconic designs of yours. Happy Easter!

[@hancock_sam]

Absolutely fascinating. So chuffed to discover your new channel, hanging on every word, very impressed and very inspired. Please do more videos.

[@FrankStephensondesign]

Thank you and yes more coming!

[@RawkustvOfficial]

I am now the proud owner of a Mini Cooper S R53, always loved this thing and love driving it. Frank I hope to meet you some day.

[@manulaffon]

Is there a car the man HASN"T designed? Truly amazing career.

[@humbertoamorim8130]

The ugly ones

[@Rob1bis8228]

@BlueRayTV he meant that he didnt design the ugly ones

[@Rob1bis8228]

@BlueRayTV he meant that he didnt design the ugly ones

[@StellarGale]

@BlueRayTV but the question is "what cars he didn't design?"

[@deanosaur808]

Exaggeration! 99.9% wasn't designed by frank

[@maxon1672]

My grandad bought a 2005 Cooper S when it was new; the LCI version with Xenon lamps, a manual transmission and the John Cooper Works performance kit. When I was in middle school I would hand wash it for him and just sit and stare at the proportions and details. Even as a young person with no formal knowledge of design I was enamored by it. Who knew 16 years later I’d be watching a video on KZbin of the man who designed it, so cool. Love your channel Frank, had to come back and watch this one again. Would love to see more breakdowns of your other designs alongside your new content. Cheers!

[@johnnymula2305]

I had an 04 mini Cooper S. I think you guys nailed the design in comparison to the original. And the car was just as fun, if not more so thanks to the supercharger whine. I had mine bumped up to 225 HP. And a fully adjustable performance suspension. Also had a Carbo Fiber Hood, fenders and lift gate. I now have an 09 1 Series. Which is heavily modified as well. Carbo Fiber M hood with power bulge. Fully adjustable coil overs. Which is an absolute blast to drive! Its producing aprox 260hp to the rear wheels.

[@FrankStephensondesign]

Dayum, nice! 💥👍

[@perjosteinr.rslien4130]

I grew up in Europe with my dads 1964 Austin Mini 850, really enjoyed this video! Hand washed it many times when I was young. Also like that you use the iconic Bic ballpoint pen!

[@FrankStephensondesign]

Always sketch with the Bic!

[@buddahae86]

Thank you for the insight. Interesting to see the quick reference to the golden ratio in the design after that quick bit about the vanishing point.

[@castin5244]

I really can't imagine a better design for recreating the mini back then. I don't think if could have been better and I don't think any of them since this have done as well. I own a 2005 Cooper S and I thank you for the great car, sir.

[@bluedunn374]

The R50 and R53 are tipped to be a modern classic thanks to Frank, glad i kept mine as they are getting hard to find in good condition.

[@michaelgarlickmovies]

Inspirational Frank. Tremendous, thank you for doing these videos.

[@FrankStephensondesign]

Thank you for watching!

[@andrewachholz7922]

I can see your pride in the new mini. Born at the same time the New Beetle came, its obvious what car design worked the best. You succeeded in creating a new icon af the old. Maybe the trickiest challenge a car designer can work with. Im impressed. Again.

[@FrankStephensondesign]

Thank you André.

[@GeneralKato]

Sir, you have designed my most favourite car. Number 1 in my top three list. I drive it to this day and will never get rid of it. However, I did choose a later model to own, for technical reasons, the R55, in chocolate brown and silver. I get complimented on it every day. Imagine that. The R50-R53 though nails it on every level. A true timeless design classic in my eyes. Thank you.

[@srisridhar1663]

Cooper was a perfect evolution Frank❤❤❤

[@easydrive3662]

If you look at some of the very first minis that came out on an 02reg which are over 20years old now they still have a great look and look almost new, why, timeless design!

[@BMWBAS]

Fantastic work! I currently own two of the first Gens (Pure silver & Liquid yellow) and I never get tired of looking at them! Thank you for sharing the background on how you did it, I love knowing cool info like this!

[@FrankStephensondesign]

Thank you

[@blueskylite]

The New Mini ist the best Retro Design i have ever seen! Cudos!

[@jerenevavuo5446]

Mr Stephenson. Thank you for the Mini. I have R53 and the design is spectacular. One of the most best design of 2000 century and it did really well take the main points from the old Mini so it is recognizable Mini. I like for example how the sides curves from the top -without any spoke- and then in the bottom starts to curve back. You can see this well after the front tires where there is like a little dent and then the black rims turns it outwards again. And you can see it also on top of the back wheels how it curves first in one way and then on the other way before there comes the black plastic. R56 was newer so good looking thing. I think that is because R56 does only bend in one direction; it looks little bit too soft/ not sharp. Something about how well the design came out tells that when I take people in to my car and aske about how old is it? Usually the answer is 2015 or 2010. After over 15 years it still looks to people like new. It has aged really really well.

[@soyouwannabeanartist6171]

Amazing series, Jefe! Absolutely cannot wait to see more, keep 'em coming!

[@TurnRacing]

Frank it is an icon. I remember having a model mini as a kid and when the Italian Job came out, man I can't image how it must have felt for you to see that!

[@deanosaur808]

There were two Italian job film. One was good (the original) the other was not. Same applies to the mini 😅

[@Nexus6Variant]

Had a the mini and 500 you designed. By far my favourite designer. Truly an epic talent. Thank you.

[@MePeterNicholls]

Perfect. I love my Gen 1 design. People always surprised how room it is inside too. It’s a car I always look back in as I walk away

[@Wofinet]

As someone who bought one of these in 2002. Thanks for sharing !

[@jaegervand2112]

It looks as modern today as it did back then. It´s truly a masterpiece!

[@EdmundJenksThe_EDJE]

Very clean description in a process reflecting evolution. Always a friend, always a fan.

[@polepino]

bought my R53 in brand new on order in 2005 and still use it as my daily driver. Huge fan of the 1st Gen BMW MINI. I just can't take how the most recent designs are just getting bigger and more boxier, its like they are stretching it longer and squashing the roof down. I am of course jealous of all the new inside gadgetry.

[@lemansteve]

Thank you Frank for your video series on car design. Hearing you talk about the MINI’s hood brought me back about 10 years ago in Atlanta, when I attended a presentation on design by Chris Bangle and Paolo Martin. Chris discussed many aspects of design and talked about his time at BMW. Chris specifically mentioned the clamshell hood on the MINI being very expensive to press out in manufacturing, due mainly to the complex shape. He spoke at length on the BMW GINA concept, which asked the question, “how can we make complex and dynamic body panels at significantly lower cost?” It was fascinating to hear Chris talk and now connect that memory with your video on the MINI.

[@technicturk]

Yet even more material to add to the car design course curriculum after CHASING PERFECT, Great Stuff :)

[@henryfong9533]

I LOVE my Mini even more now : ) Thanks for putting the love into the design!!

[@AutoAbsolute]

This is my favourite channel right now - concise videos from a real master!

[@athousandtinycobras4349]

When you look down the belt line of the car from the rear quarter, it flows perfectly with the dashboard, as if the whole bottom "layer" of the car is a tub. Really beautiful. I've had the same 2005 R50 since new and love it. Good design never looks dated, and the MINI R50 is a good design!

[@realMaverickBuckley]

I have a 2005 MCS JCW Chili pack on 80k with full history. I love it to bits!!! Thanks Frank!

[@adamdonovan5633]

Thanks for "unpacking" the love affair I have with my Mini(s)! Every time I walk up to it there is a satisfying sense of "YES" in its proportions and stance and in the design message:" Let's go!" Masterpiece, period!

[@jamesianwheeler]

Hi Frank, do you remember working with a chap called Derek Jones? I believe he worked on the cooper s super charger air intake

[@jannadrielcervo7753]

Can I get one of those sketches with your signature. I will frame that, and will never get tired of looking at it all day. Great art.

[@FrankStephensondesign]

Thanks Jann - you can find the MINI and the Bulldog on my website www.frankstephenson.com/artwork/

[@MarkitoinLondon]

Thank you so much for giving us an insight on the design of the new mini and what made it so iconic to this day. Glad BMW didn't decide to cut corners into final production to maximize profits. From every corner looks timeless

[@turatiiscrise]

Awesome, awesome video! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the greatest in the business. Can’t wait to see more

[@simoneschiaffino6271]

Thank you so much for sharing yourself!

[@S1E2SportQuattro]

I own an r56 jcw so the second gen of the “new” minis and i am so grateful that the design of my car still carries the same language and soul that you poured in to the original cooper.

[@FrankStephensondesign]

Congrats and thanks BRM!

[@S1E2SportQuattro]

@@FrankStephensondesign its an honour mr stephenson! Until now, i had no idea that the “new mini” could have been designed in any other way. Your design was so faithful to the original in as many aspects as possible that it works so well as a seamless transition to the modern incarnation. Without your initial spark of genius i would not own such an amazing machine (minus its engine getting rebuilt and countless mechanical issues 🤣 but hey thats bmw’s fault)

[@mbwindows7]

WOW, how amazing! What a great insight into your amazing mind, I would love to have a sketch like this framed on my theatre room wall. I am very much looking forward to the rest of the episodes, thank you.

[@FrankStephensondesign]

Thanks for watching!

[@FrankStephensondesign]

You may like one of these sketches here www.frankstephenson.com/artwork/ Also I will be auctioning the sketches from this series for charity - coming soon, thanks for watching!

[@thecomminity]

Sí señor, a mano, como los grandes genios. Sir Alec Issigonis hizo lo mismo en una servilleta para plasmar la idea original del modelo de 1959. Frank, you did an extraordinary job with the new MINI and we will always be in love with it thanks to you.