The artist who illustrated lyric books for the Beatles and album covers for The Rolling Stones has created a unique MINI by reinterpreting the iconic cover of the Sunday Times Magazine of 1965.

Alan Aldridge is best known for his creative work throughout the 1960s and 70s, during this period he was responsible for a great many album covers such as the likes of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who and Elton John, he was also the Art Director for Penguin Books and illustrated much-loved children’s books one in particular ‘The Butterfly Ball’.

The MINI Aldridge Special as it's been dubbed features a visually stunning exterior and is now on show at the Design Museum in London. The car is an exhibit in a retrospective display of Alan’s work, entitled ‘The Man with Kaleidoscope Eyes’.

Now working in Los Angeles, Alan Aldridge was keen to mark the opening of his exhibition by recreating an iconic cover of the Sunday Times Magazine, which in 1965 featured a classic Mini painted in his own, inimitable style. The updated interpretation of this image, using a new MINI One as the canvas for Alan’s design, featured in the 12 October 2008 edition of the publication. Again, warranting the front cover status with this iconic piece of work.

The MINI Aldridge Special is a spectacle having an array of images, shapes and patterns, each reflecting either a male or female theme, just as the 1965 car did. The design theme is split between each side of the car, with the driver side being more masculine in appearance and the passenger being painted pink giving the more feminine feel.

MINI UK General Manager Andy Hearn had this to say: “The work of Alan Aldridge is synonymous with some of the most important names in the history of British culture, so MINI is delighted to support this exhibition by offering Alan a car to work on’’.

“MINI will be celebrating its 50th birthday in 2009, so this is the perfect way to begin celebrating fifty years of the car in the UK.”

‘The Man with Kaleidoscope Eyes’ exhibition runs until 25 January 2009. MINI fans will get another chance to see the MINI Aldridge Special in the metal at MINI United next year, the global MINI event which will be staged at a renowned British race circuit between 22-24 May 2009.