With their visible seams, chunky switches and traditional levers these raw, handcrafted Mini’s celebrate the ‘beauty of imperfection’, and they even have an Aussie connection.
Aussie lifestyle brand Deus Ex Machina has been creating cool cars, bikes and apparel for over two decades now but the brand’s creative collaborations have gone to the next level with this pair of one-off John Cooper Works Minis.
The pair of customised cars, described as “rolling expressions of a lifestyle where a love of speed meets creativity and considered design”, will make their world premiere at the Mini Pavilion, as part of the IAA Mobility event in Munich from September 6-14.
The ‘Skeg’ is based on a Mini John Cooper Works Electric, but draws on the materials, technologies and philosophies from the world of surfing. The eye-catching bodywork makes a sun-drenched statement with its vivid yellow and silver finish, while also boasting widened fenders, an illuminated front grille, and a roof spoiler to sharpen the silhouette.
Semi-transparent fibreglass panels strip 15 percent of the car’s weight and help refine its aerodynamic performance. Tension straps across the roof reference the ritual of tying down a surfboard after a session, while custom-made fibreglass elements on the roof, front, rear, and interior create a shifting play of light, responsive to time of day and environment.
Inside, the dashboard borrows directly from surfboard construction being lightweight, resilient, and visually distinctive. The simple, tactile analogue controls are stripped back to prioritise purpose over polish.
Elsewhere, the car resembles a mobile surf shop with specially shaped fibreglass trays providing a practical storage solution for wetsuits, and water-repellent neoprene upholstery on the lightweight racing bucket seats.
The second concept, the ‘Machina’, is more our style being based as it is on a 2.0-litre turbocharged JCW punching out 170kW/380Nm. The exterior pays homage to the motorsport heritage of the Mini brand with red, white and black paintwork, complete with bold accents and Deus lettering on the rear.
Classic widened fenders are a nod to racing heritage, as are the four additional headlights mounted on the bonnet. A bespoke grille and perforated headlight surrounds enhance cooling performance, with the iconic Mini John Cooper Works light signature, complete with air intakes, anchoring the car’s high-performance lineage.
At the rear, there’s a bold Can-Am-style rear spoiler and below that a diffuser which draws inspiration from the Mini JCW race car, plus a centrally integrated exhaust which served as both a functional and aesthetic focal point.
Inside, the white and black palette holds strong, complemented by five-point racing harnesses, and raw aluminium floor plates that echo the famously utilitarian aesthetic found in Deus’ custom motorcycle creations.
Weight-saving is built into every surface, from the stripped-back door panels marked with bold white ‘X’ motifs, to the waxed fabric dash. Overhead, an exposed roll cage adds structure and statement in equal measure. Toggle switches and a large hydraulic handbrake lever act as a direct connection between driver and vehicle.
“In this extraordinary collaboration, we showcase two vehicles that remind us of motorsport history and successes of Mini,” says Holger Hampf, head of Mini Design.
“Every single detail has been crafted with artisanal precision and expertise. This has resulted in unique characters that are clearly perceived as belonging together through their distinctive design language and use of graphics.”
While you won’t be able to take either of these one-off concepts home, you will be able to buy the T-shirt and a range of other Mini x Deus Ex Machina apparel via the company’s e-commerce and retail network.
About Deus Ex Machina
Deus Ex Machina is an Australian-born brand founded in Sydney in 2006 by Dare Jennings and Carby Tuckwell. It is a global lifestyle brand that started with custom motorcycles and surfboards but expanded to include fashion and art, fostering a culture of adventure and creativity that’s rooted in the Australian beach and biking lifestyle.
