Outrageous Mini Truck Designed by Paul Ireson Wins ‘Best in Show’
Custom Builder Takes Creation Over the Top With Use of Planet Color™ at Nation's Largest Lifestyle Custom Car Show
The Challenge
For Paul Ireson, an award-winning auto technician and champion racecar driver, building customized cars isn't just a hobby, it's a passion. And he recently took his passion to a whole new level when he debuted his custom-made, one-of-a-kind Mini truck at the Hot Import Nights (HIN) car show in Los Angeles this past August.
But standing out in a crowd of 20,000 car enthusiasts and 500 tuner cars, motorcycles and drift cars was going to be a challenge.
"The show was so full of talent and craziness, I knew I had to bring something new to the table," Ireson explains. "I wanted to make sure my Mini was unlike anything anyone had ever seen before."
The Solution
A one-of-a-kind Mini truck. The impressive, customized Mini took 18 months to build and boasts a hand-made dual-engine weighing 1,800 pounds and capable of exerting more than 1,100 horsepower.
Much like its custom engine, Ireson's interior was just as innovative. Made to resemble the interior of a jet fighter cockpit, the Mini has one seat molded into the body of the car, surrounded by 22 gauges - allowing the driver to feel in optimal control.
But the most eye-catching trait of the Mini truck is its outrageous exterior. Fred Shutrump, owner and operator of Fireball Graphics, offered his expertise and artistic ability to dream up, design and airbrush the Mini's awesome graphics. The team wanted to accomplish the true look of fire. To perfect the desired look, his team selected a range of finishes from Planet Color™--an innovative new collection of optically enhanced coatings with special effects guaranteed to make any car standout. "I chose Planet Color because the paints are truly unique," said Ireson. "Under the sunlight, the colors took on a life of their own and literally stopped the judges in their tracks."
The Result
Ireson definitely impressed judges at the unveiling with his Mini's unique design, hand-sculpted body and diverse color scheme, all of which landed him awards for 'Hottest Bodywork', 'Hottest Interior', 'Best Euro' and 'Hottest Engineered Vehicle'.
His most notable honor at HIN? 'Best in Show'.
"This is the first time I used Planet Color, but it definitely will not be the last," Ireson added. "The finished product on this truck speaks for itself."
Ireson says reactions and feedback to the colorfully detailed airbrushing have been immensely gratifying.
"People think the colors are unbelievable," he added. "I wanted to create something that would stand out as truly different and inspirational. I think I've accomplished that using Planet Color."
That's exactly what David Kidd, Product Manager, Planet Color, had in mind when the new custom line was introduced this year. According to Kidd, "Planet Color gives the custom painter the opportunity to run the visual spectrum and create finishes that range from multi-dimensional to color shifting, from iridescent to neon." He went on to add, "Plus, they are easy to mix, easy to apply and they dry quickly, making them ideal for use in the highly competitive custom show scene. They leave a lasting impression."
For more information on Paul Ireson's award-winning Mini truck visit www.iresonmotorsports.com. Details about Planet Color can be found by visiting www.planetcolor.com.
The Sherwin-Williams Company, founded in 1866, is one of the world's leading companies in the manufacture, distribution and sale of coatings and related products to professional, industrial, commercial and retail customers. Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Sherwin-Williams Company, manufactures and distributes a complete line of advanced technology paint and coating systems for automotive and fleet refinishing industries. For more information visit www.sherwin-automotive.com.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. formed JR Motorsports in 2002, fielding cars in the late model races as well as the Hooters Pro Cup Series. In 2006 he entered the NASCAR Busch Series with the No. 88 Navy Accelerate Your Life Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS.