News

Paul Weller And Mini Collaborate To Auction Off Unique Car For Nordoff Robbins And War Child

• 16th Nov 2010

Nordoff Robbins and War Child today announced that they are to be the two beneficiaries of an exclusive charity auction for a car created through the collaboration of mod rock legend, Paul Weller, and iconic car brand, Mini.

One of the most influential figures in British music, Paul Weller, has come together with one of the most iconic British brands of all time, Mini, to design an exclusive and unique car to raise money for Nordoff Robbins and War Child, two charities very close to Weller’s heart.

Paul Weller…
“I've always loved and driven Minis so when Mini asked me to be their ambassador last year, it felt a natural thing to do. I was given the opportunity to design my own Mini Cooper and the colours on the car were inspired by a shirt I designed for Ben Sherman that I loved a few years back.

Now that the car has been manufactured, I thought it would be good to give it to two charities that I support to help them raise some much needed funds. War Child is an amazing charity which works tirelessly to provide protection for kids who live in some of the world's most dangerous places – Iraq, Afghanistan, Uganda and DRC.

Nordoff Robbins is the charity that really uses music to transform the lives of kids and adults who are ill or disabled, helping them to engage and communicate with others. They're endlessly fundraising to help and support these vulnerable people.”

Weller and Mini are an ideal match because both are so synonymous with the quintessential British mod lifestyle. In addition, the Mini brand has always enjoyed strong music and fashion connotations since its launch in the late 50’s.

Paul Weller has always been an avid Mini fan and has collected numerous models throughout the years. As part of Minis 50th Anniversary celebrations in 2009, Mini fans drove from all over the world to attend a party at Silverstone at which Weller was the headline act. He was then given a Mini Cooper which he designed the exterior of, working closely with the designers and completing the car this spring.

This Mini Cooper is the best selling model in the range and would usually retail at £14,000. It has a 1.6 petrol engine and goes from 0-62 mph in 9.1 seconds, with a top speed of 127 mph.

Weller, whose career started as front man for The Jam in the seventies had his first number one with ‘Going Underground’ in March 1980. The Jam became the only band other than The Beatles to perform twice on one edition of Top of the Pops. In 1982, Weller established himself as a successful solo artist. He went on to branch out musically to a more soulful style with the Style Council in 1983. He continues to remain a respected singer, lyricist and guitarist, a fact reaffirmed when he received the 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award at the BRITS, and more recently the 2009 BRIT Award for Best Male Solo Artist. He has remained a national icon, and much of his song writing is rooted in British culture. In 2010 Weller has received the Godlike Genius Award at the NME Awards as well as the hugely respected Lifetime Achievement Award at this year Ivor Novello Awards. His 10th solo studio album, ‘Wake Up The Nation’, was released on April 19, 2010 and was nominated for the 2010 Mercury Prize for Album of the Year.

The auction is open from 11th November to 11th December at link