Creative Director: Alex Zartman
Concept Artist: Joe Iacono
Builder: Leonard Lopez, Dominator Street Rods
Wood Work: Doug Carr's at Wood N' Carr
Mini Cooper | Aeropostale
"New York City-based Aeropostale turned to resident car guy and in-house graphic designer Alex Zartman to work with Leonard Lopez of Dominator Street Rods of Brentwood, Calif., on the wood-clad Mini. They brought in concept artist Joe Iacono, who also did the Airborne Mini, to turn a revitalized icon – the Mini – into a revitalized Jimmy'Z Woody.
Doug Carr's Wood N' Carr created the white ash body trim. Valentin Shmidov of Pravda Surf built the board that rides atop the car. DuPont Hot Hues created the special Jimmy'Z Orange paint, with Mike Martin doing the paintwork and Rick Valdez of Creative Images adding airbrush art effects such as the flames on the car's hood and front fenders. That same orange hue is used in the custom interior by Blind Stitch.
Budnik Wheels incorporated the same shade into the car's custom and BFGoodrich-wrapped rims. H&R Springs provided the lowered suspension hardware,
That's how the car appeared at the recent aftermarket exposition, aka the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show. But like most every customization effort, this is an on-going project, so work was scheduled after the show to install a Magnaflow cat-back exhaust and an Arc Audio system.
Your pockets may not be as deep as national clothing chain's, but lowered suspension, cat-back exhaust, special wheels, high-performance tires and even a custom paint job and audio system not only should warm your thoughts, but likely are within your reach as well"
-Larry Edsall