When I think Marshall and automotive, I usually think roadside assistance. Specifically, car batteries. Also, when I think Marshall, I think guitar amplifiers.
A creative collaboration between David Brown Automotive and amplifier experts Marshall has brought ‘60s British music and culture back to life in the form of the MINI Remastered Marshall Edition.
I’ve owned a few over the years and they have a certain tone that has defined the sound of rock over many years. They stand shoulder to shoulder with Fender and Gibson.
Now you’re wondering how MINI fits into all of this. David Brown Automotive, a British manufacturer of limited-edition vehicles in England, has turned their attention to the past and have teamed up with Marshall to produce a run of 60 Marshall themed MINIs.
This is not the first time they have remastered a classic MINI. Back in 2017 they launched the MINI remastered in three specifications, standard form and two limited-production special editions, Café Racers, taking inspiration from the classic 1950s motorbike movement, and Monte Carlo, taking inspiration from the racing heritage of the classic MINI on which the cars are based.
A quick music history lesson; Marshall was started by Jim Marshall in 1962 in London. He was gigging by night as a drummer and trading musical instruments by day in his shop in Hanwell. Jim saw a market for homegrown music gear and proceeded to hunker down with his electrical engineering team and voila…the JTM45 was born.
Frequenting his store were up-starters Pete Townshend and Ritchie Blackmore, and they desired for one particular feature of their guitar amps…LOUD! Jim re-hunkered and the 100-Watt 1959SLP or ‘Plexi’ was born. And musician’s hearing abilities were never the same again.
The MINI Remastered Marshall Edition is built on the classic MINI body and is fitted with a fuel injected 1.3-litre engine. 62 kW and a top speed of 145 km/h means it’s no scorcher, but it may make the skin of an English custard feel somewhat intimidated.
It also comes with classic 12-inch wheels in black with Marshall Gold rims and Marshall ‘M’ wheel centres and even Marshall Gold brake callipers. A gold mesh amp style grill adorns the front as does exclusive Marshall Gold hand-enamelled badging.
You can have any colour so long as it’s black and gold. Marshall is synonymous with rock and gold.
The Gold theme continues on the inside with the switchgear and assorted gold accents throughout the cabin. As expected, this MINI has a full-on audio system which includes:
- Pioneer infotainment system featuring Bluetooth with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Marshall 8-speaker surround-sound system
- Marshall ‘Emberton’ portable Bluetooth speaker enclosed in luggage compartment
- Marshall’s Motif A.N.C wireless Bluetooth headphones
And this could be the showstopper… An actual Marshall guitar amplifier built into the boot! Albeit a not-so-scary 1-Watt DSL1 combo but hey…what’s 99 watts between friends?
And what about the load in at the gig? No problem. Just back that bad boy in through the double doors and straight on up next to the drum kit. Drop boot lid. Position mic. Kerrang!
Other creature comforts include aircon, power steering, electronic start/stop, electric windows and remote central locking. You’ll also receive hand painted Marshall themed helmet and racing goggles.
Price? Around £100,000.Exclusivity? Hell yeah.Desirability? As above.Guitar Gear Transportation Ability? Roof rack should be on the options list.
Does it go to 11? In my mind. Yes.
Admittedly a guitar amp themed tribute MINI may appeal only to a quite narrow market but there’s only 60 so that’s an exclusive club to find yourself in. Future collectible? Investment opportunity? Maybe!
Keyword: MINI gets a Marshall makeover as two English icons put the rock into roll