MINI designer now chief of design at Ferrari !

[BruceK]

So what does Frank Stephenson, the man who designed the MINI, do for an encore?

He has joined Ferrari as its first in-house chief of design! (according to the 7 October 2002 issue of AutoWeek).

Here's a picture of old Frank doodling a MINI sketch:

[erazo]

Will Stephenson be the Giacinto Ghia of the new millennium?

[myminis]

hmmm, i thought pininfarina designed ferrari's, not ferrari themselves. Is Pininfarina part of ferrari

excuse my ignorance

[BruceK]

Quote:

Originally posted by myminis
hmmm, i thought pininfarina designed ferrari's, not ferrari themselves. Is Pininfarina part of ferrari

excuse my ignorance

Pininfarina is a independent design company and have indeed designed many Ferraris over the years. So has Bertone.

Frank Stephenson's newly-created position at Ferrari is to help coordinate Ferrari's (and sibling Maserati's) interests with design firms such as Pininfarina and Italdesign (Giugiaro). I guess its a case of him being able to speak a language of design.

[KarmanS]

that's good to know, thanks for the info, Bruce.

[monsta]

Nice cigar

[IgorTheHunchback]

Igor is surprised he took a demotion from Mini to Ferrari

[niall]

Have 2 of the other designers not set up by themselves and have developed a little 2 seater sports car??

[chiph]

Quote:

Originally posted by IgorTheHunchback
Igor is surprised he took a demotion from Mini to Ferrari

[BruceK]

Quote:

Originally posted by obehave
...I do hope that whoever continues the design work on the Mini doesn't decide to "make his mark" by doing something goofy. I very much like the looks of the Mini as is...

Yes, let's keep Chris Bangle (who did the new BMW 7 series) far away from the MINI design studio!

Regarding future MINI designs, what I've heard is that the MINI design philosophy will dictate an evolutionary process much like the Porsche 911 has gone through over the past nearly 40 years. Each new model being clearly related to the previous one. I hope that's true, but in the meantime I going to enjoy my MINI!

[chiph]

Quote:

Originally posted by BruceK
Yes, let's keep Chris Bangle (who did the new BMW 7 series) far away from the MINI design studio!<snip>

I second the motion.

Chip H.

BTW: He did the new Z4 (which replaces the Z3) as well.

[ricardo]

I presume he's filled the post left when they sacked the guy responsible for that abomination called an Enzo.

[chiph]

Quote:

Originally posted by ricardo
I presume he's filled the post left when they sacked the guy responsible for that abomination called an Enzo.

The Enzo isn't so bad. Just needs a big wing like on the F40!

Chip H.

[Electrc109]

I really like the Enzo!!!!

[ricardo]

Quote:

Originally posted by Electrc109
I really like the Enzo!!!!

I admire the engineering under the skin. But I think it looks hideous and vulgar. I must be getting old. I still think Ferrari's should look like the 288 GTO from the 1980's (click for some images). I'm not a great Ferrari fan (it's against the law here in Lotus-country) but the 288 GTO is a truly beautiful car.