Hugh Buckingham: the man behind the MINI Clubvan

THE Southport signwriter who gave a helping hand to one of the world's biggest car makers has spoken to The Champion about his involvement with a new MINI show car.

Last week The Champion reported on a MINI concept van being displayed at this month's Geneva Motorshow featuring the work of a signwriting firm based in the resort - but despite our initial enquiries before last week's edition, BMW, the car's creators, remained tight-lipped about the story behind the project.

However, shortly after last week's edition reached our readers we were put in touch with Hugh Buckingham himself, who explained how a family connection to the firm helped him land a job decorating the vehicle, which will be given worldwide media attention when it forms the centrepiece of the MINI stand at the Swiss automotive show.

Mr Buckingham, who has spent more than 30 years working with vehicle graphics, said this week:

"My son John works for BMW as one of their designers, and when the company decided they wanted the graphics on the van to be authentic he pointed out that I work as a signwriter, and that's how the company got in touch with me. I'm amazed at the publicity the van's aleady had and am very proud to have been involved with it.

"The design I went for is almost a little anachronistic, because it's like something you'd see on a canal boat on a brand new concept car, but that's right for the MINI because it's a very traditional product. It's the first time BMW has ever cross-promoted another company in this way, but really the praise should go to their publicity department for coming up with the idea and managing to get so much attention drawn to it."

The vehicle, called the MINI Clubvan, is a modern recreation of the iconic Mini vans of the 1960s and has already received global attention, including a brief appearance on Top Gear last week when it was discussed by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May.

If you've got an automotive story for The Champion contact motoring correspondent David Simister on 01704 392404 or send him an email at david.simister@champnews.com