Ian is a smart owner who comes, like a lot of people on the smart scene, from a background in minis. The extensive modifications are not exactly subtle, but give the car bags of character! It has a fantastic metal flake paint job from smart-suits, even the tridion is metal flaked, the wheels, also done in rainbow flake, and with a union flag all over the car, and we think it embodies the character of the 1960s Italian Job film.

It's smart interior has been radically changed with new leather seat covers in what else but red and blue, even the heater balls have a union jack on them... gawd bless em... Most interior trim has been painted to match the exterior, and it goes like it should as well... only question is, can you fit a load of italian gold in the back?

Tell us a bit about yourself?
I work as a driver for a small company, based in Gloucester, but deliver all over the UK, waving to fellow fellow smarts as i go.....which I think onfuses a lot of people when I'm in a 7.5 tonne truck, but I have had a few
bemused people wave back!!

I have a daughter (Kayleigh) from a previous marriage, who enjoys coming out to smart events with me, when she can. I think she's going to want her own n a year, when she starts driving! I enjoy the social scene associated with smarts as much as the cars themselves...and organise a regular meeting in Gloucester, plus travel to as any events in the UK & Europe as I can afford to get to.

Tell us why you chose your smart?
In common with a lot of smart owners, I used to own classic minis before (about 6 in total from an 850 up to a 1600 Honda vtec powered example in 2001). I tested the new Mini when it came out but was unimpressed... It was just another modern hatch! Having then seen what could be done to smarts, at an early meet at Gaydon, I knew what I wanted was one of these '21st century minis'!! After 3 years of various changes, I think my car now handles & goes like a well modded classic mini.

Modifications

Panels:
Re-sprayed in metallic colours, then coated in rainbow flake and around 12 coats of lacquer, around 60 hours of work!
RS Grill, also rainbow flaked and stripe to match flag. Lester Front spoiler and Smart arch extensions, sprayed to match.
Tridion sprayed in blue pearl, with metalflake over (sideskirts to match) Front panels & Glass roof have ‘Armourfend’ protection. Custom ‘one-off’ rear valance.

Interior:
Full leather re-trim in red/blue with white piping, to include door panels and dash.
Blue décor kit to dash.
Brit-Tiny logo, custom floor mats and seat belt pads.
Brit-Tiny logo engraved alloy plates to door sills, inside tailgate & gear change plate.
Stainless steel dial inserts, with blue numerals. (Metal Monkey)
Stainless steel heater inserts.
Alloy heater control knobs & handbrake button.
Alloy rings to central dials & air vents
Custom, ‘one off’ Alloy ‘Flag’ air vents
Button gearshift to steering wheel.
X-Gauge installed in clock pod.

Engine:
Re-map by Digitec, Hybrid Turbo conversion, powertec air filter, S Mann scoop, Evil Twin dump valve, oil filter adaptor to metal canister filter, Blindschleiche exhaust. 99bhp on dyno.

Wheels / Brakes:
7 x 15” Compomotive alloys with factory finish rainbow flake over black.
EBC Discs with ‘green stuff’ pads.
Up-rated Bilstein shocks and Eibach lowered springs.

Other Stuff:
Blue alloy tax disc holder, wipers & aerial. Polished alloy axle end caps.
Panasonic CD player, with additional speakers under seats. Kenwood WOOX powered Virtual Subwoofer in passenger footwell. LED indicator repeaters. Up-rated headlamp bulbs. Rear & side windows tinted.

Hold on a minute lads... I've got an idea...

Photos by Coolfart, onSMART and Roadie2003.