As the then chief designer Frank Stephenson was ready to introduce its new first generation Mini Coopers When he presented the design to the BMW board in 1996, he realized he had forgotten something important. The Mini The design team had worked several 24-hour days to complete the first original model Clay model from the new Mini, and when they were finally finished, the designers had a few well-deserved beers to celebrate. During the celebration, Stephenson discovered that the clay model was missing one Exhaustand there were only a few hours left before the draft was presented to the board.
So Stephenson did what any smart person would do and panicked. Okay, the story doesn’t mention Stephenson panicking, but I’m guessing he had at least a moment of panic. His 11th hour solution was to strip the paint his can of Budweiser beer, Punch a hole in the bottom of the can and attach it to the clay model as an exhaust pipe. According to a 2004 story by engine file,
It did not last long [Stephenson] was called onto the carpet by his boss at BMW. “It wasn’t the shape (of the tip).” [Stephenson] says: “Everyone liked it because it was unique and yet strangely familiar. He was concerned that I had wasted a modeler’s time milling the part when his time could be better spent elsewhere. That’s when I felt the need to confess.”
This confession caused him to be stunned into silence, followed by almost uncontrollable laughter.”
It’s pretty funny that the BMW boss was concerned that Stephenson had a model maker sculpt the comparatively ornate tailpipe, a part of a car that is often overlooked by designers. I would have trembled with fear if my boss had confronted me with such a situation, but I’m glad Stephenson’s confession was well received. I love seeing the beer can exhaust tippers on Minis, and the story always seemed to be common knowledge among Mini brand enthusiasts, but many of my friends had never heard the story before.
The first generation R50 Mini Coopers had the most noticeable beer can exhaust pipe, while the R53 Cooper S had two smaller can pipe pipes in the center of the rear bumper that were not as noticeable. The second-generation R56 Coopers looked similar to the R50s, with the standard Cooper’s single tailpipe resembling buds rather than the Cooper S’s central twin pipes.
The third generation F56 Cooper vague continuation of the beer can look with a rounded exhaust tip on base Coopers and two central rounded tips on Cooper S models. Unfortunately, the upcoming 2025 F66 Cooper S does not display tailpipes at all, as one cannot be seen in any photos.
Even if it makes me sad Mini dispenses with its characteristic exhaust pipes. I hope this story makes more people smile when they see the beer can tips on older Minis.
