Mini Truckin
Usually when I think of mini trucks I picture the a late 1980’s or early 1990’s compact pickup that has been lowered to the weeds with 13″ diameter super wide rims, an outrageous paint scheme and helicopter bed. But today I heard about a different mini truck, this one is an actual Mini truck. Austin produced a great looking pickup truck version of it’s successful Mini back in the 60’s but I bet no one would have ever dreamed that some one would take the little truck and turn it into an over the top gaudy custom truck.
Enough gauges for two engines.
This Austin Mini was the brain child of English car customizer Paul Ireson, and oh how did Paul customize it. From the hand built body with single driver side gull wing door to the outlandish single seat interior with enough gauges to make the astronauts jealous, everything on the Mini has been modified in some way by Ireson. It has a massive sound system, a radical and ridiculous paint job, and cool name brand parts for practically every component on the car, but the best part is this thing is a twini Mini with a motor up front in the stock location and one out back underneath a Plexiglas cover. As if that wasn’t enough, Ireson decided to ditch the stock and feeble Austin power plant in favor of a pair of Honda B16 four cylinder engines with VTEC, and twin turbochargers….and nitrous. Ireson estimates that the two mills put out a combine total of 1100 horsepower. For the love of God Paul, the car only weighs 1800 pounds! Mated to a custom Honda five speed this all wheel drive Mini pickup should be a screamer once Paul get’s a chance to test it.
Twin Honda motors, one in front one in back.
I must admit, at first look I thought this was one of the tackiest vehicles I had ever seen. Actually I still think that, but I also think it is one of the fastest tackiest vehicles I have ever seen. On a serious note, while this car isn’t my cup of tea in terms of looks, I think Paul Ireson did a masterful job of designing and building this super-Mini. The work looks clean and professional and the car is done right (see EBay X1/9 for a car done wrong). Cheers to Paul for being bold and innovative in his project and may he keep bringing new wild creations into the world.
To read a full write up by Truckin’ click here: www.truckinweb.com
-Bill Mertz
Austin, Mini, Cooper, pickup, mini-truck, truck, low rider, Honda, engine swap, hot rod
January 10th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
Gotta love all that fiberglass. I am really a fan of smooth fiberglass projects for show cars. Now I am not convinced with fiberglass on showtrucks trucks. I think the design of this truck is decent but this isn’t the color scheme I would have picked.
January 11th, 2007 at 10:44 am
Oh my GOSH where can I get one?? How would it do in the woods on Montana??
Very cool pictures.
January 12th, 2007 at 3:17 am
I agree, that color scheme is not my bag at all.
As far as driving in the woods, it has all wheel drive, just needs a little more ground clearance.
-Bill
November 18th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
I love that mini but my mini is better. It has one vtec engine and a vauxhall engine in the front and one vtec engine and a vauxhall engine in the back. I had make my own mini shell so it would fit !! Pretty impresive huh! It does 0-60 in 3.9 seconds and the top speed is 157. Impressive !!!!!!!!!
February 23rd, 2008 at 3:13 am
What a waste of money. So what if it’s fast, I wouldn’t be caught dead behind the wheel. Speaking of wheels, they’re f’n ugly. Paint scheme, ugly as all hell. Wings on a truck, need I say more. The god awful bodykit, and just the body design in general is a joke. The designer/builder should be shot! You call this a ” mini truck ” and you also deserve a bullet in the head. You’ll NEVER find such a pathetic waste of time and money on any cover of mini truckin. Get a clue Bill.
July 29th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
this is stupid