Who said it was a copy? I explained that above.

PGT, I think you are actually getting my point.

yup....I'm a hack - you've figured me out. That's why I have people who PM me for advice and locals asking for help on their cars. Carry on....I'll get back to working so I can afford more hack mods.

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No, you are not a hack. That is my point. By nature, these cars are all going to look similar unless you go with some crazy personal graphics. Changing color schemes is not being a hack, but it also doesn't make it unusually original.

I had a very similar exterior look but decided to swap the inner and outer stripe colors based on seeing how good you car looked. If you are offended . . . well . . . then be offended. But people who think differing colors is anything earth-shattering are kidding themselves.

Your interior is outstanding is is quite unique. But notice I didn't copy it?

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Girls girls girls -- you're both pretty.

Actually they're both sharp looking rides. Personally, I prefer the stripes that go down all the way, and the S-less scoop. But I also prefer redheads while understanding that others like brunettes. Takes all kinds to make the world go around.

If someone tried to mimic/improve-upon a unique design I had put on my car (which I'm 95% I'm not going to do), I'd be absolutely *flattered* (unless maybe they lived down the block or something). Unless I got my rocks off by being antagonistic to people on web forums, I can't imagine why I'd be miffed.

~Neal

Exactly, I can totally understand PGT being pissed if MiniJayhawk lived anywhere even remotely close to him (hell, I get upset when I see another PW/B R56 with black bonnet and boot stripes in my area ) but given that such definitely is not the case, I simply cannot see where any harm was done. Granted, PGT's stripes were very unique and MiniJayhawk did copy them exactly (no offense), but everything else is a lot more inspiration than blatant imitation IMHO. Not to mention we're talking about an R53 vs R56 which differentiates them a pretty good deal in itself...

As I once heard on an absolutely hilarious TV show (Ugly Betty, don't judge me ) "Tuck them back in girls, you're both big" Seriously though, they're both gorgeous MINI's and that should be the main thing that matters. I personally prefer for everything I own to be very unique and therefore can to an extent understand PGT's frustration, but it happens and there's not much you can do either after the fact or to prevent it. I'd take it in stride as an outstanding compliment. Of course you're not me, so good luck dealing with it...

I don't know why we're talking about this. It's just this simple:

1) Jay stole PGT's design. Period. Nothing wrong with that, some people are not very creative, while others don't want to spend the time trying to be creative, and just find something they like and adopt it.

2) PGT is not one of these people, but an originator. He was able to conceive of his car's design, and successfully implement it.

3) Given the above, Jay will keep his car, and be happy about it. PGT will alter his to remain original, as that's what creative people do - strive to be original.

4) Cars don't match anymore, everyone is happy

Sorry, I am having a little trouble with the whole idea of "creative" here. Can you guys explain to me what is "creative" about PGT's design?

(I really didn't want to go down this path, but the last post was over the top.)

It is creative. Here's how this works:

You buy a car. A lot of people have this car. You decide that because your car looks like everyone elses, you want to do something to make it your own. This is what PGT did. He took a look at his options, what materials he could use, what parts are available, and he came up with a combination of effects that created a whole style. His car had a personality that he chose, and because of that it stood out from all of the stock Minis you see. The ability to take an idea from concept to fruition is called creativity.

So, you bought the same car (53v56 aside), and styled it to look exactly like his. Instead of taking a look at all of your options, and making a car that is truly all your own, you saw someone elses car, decided that was "your" style, and applied it to your vehicle. Adding a decal here or there doesn't effectively seperate the two cars. They're indentical. Your process was not as creative as PGT's.

When you have nothing to base your design on except your own ideas, that's called creativity. You chose to base yours off of PGT's car. This is certainly more creative than most who won't change their car, but I would almost argue that I would rather match the stock folks who did nothing, than invest time and money to match someone else's "custom" job.

Bottom line, PGT will change his car. And it will have nothing really to do with this, so much as it has to do with the fact that creative people tend to ebb and flow, and PGT's idea of how his car should be will change. Then, yours will be unique again.

Original > not

/rant

Nice. Now, can you start over WITHOUT the misconception of how I designed my car?

I basically did everything you say PGT did. I also formulated a combination that integrated the interior Rooster Red/black/gray layout with the exterior of the same colors. I had also decided on the "S" scoop detail, red mirror caps, black grille, and some other ideas (that I decided not to do in the end). My almost-final design had thicker red stripes inside of the thinner black stripes. I wasn't quite comfortable with that. The inner stripes going over the top with the outer stripes not (because they would be the same color as the roof) wasn't quite right in my mind. Then, and only then, did I come across PGT's car on here. He had the reverse of the stripes and I thought it looked "right" to finish my car.

Now that I have the car in person, I have decided that the chrome trim clashes with the graphics and I will likely black them out. This isn't because it has to be like PGT's, but because of the same thought hundreds (or more) on here have had about their cars' trim.

So, if you want to assume that I had no original creativity, be my guest. You would be ranting on a misconception, but go right ahead. Keep in mind that this design process came AFTER many designs involving such things as blue cars, union jack designs, grayscale designs, KU theme ideas, etc. The fact that PGT and I arrived at a similar theme is a coincidence, not a hack job.

"sucka MC's keep playing"
-Shinehead

Yeah? And? Seeing his striping inspired me to make the final decision on my stripes, as described above.

I have had some sarcasm in this thread. Maybe you missed it? And yes, I have looked at a former set of wheels that PGT had on his car in the past. So?

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Dude, calm down.

Here is the bottom line. You made your car look just like someone elses, and then freely admitted the cop.

You can't seriously expect that people will think you original. People who are original lead, where clearly you have followed.

your new "S" detail is not very tasteful IMO. it makes the whole scheme look like an autozoner put it together.

sad for PGT

Oh, Good Lord. I am not trying to make people think I was original. A variant of colors on the viper stripes is not original. Blackout trim is not original. Something like this is original:




My car ended up looking like someone else's and, yes, I admitted that his car was part of my final decision-making process. Did I copy his car? No, otherwise i would have some different details and interior. Did I completely change my design when I saw his car? No, because his car looks great.

hey jayhawk, brush your shoulders off.

arguing whether viper stripes/blackouts are original or not is a moot point now. the colors and dimensions of the stripes are what made them original on PGT's ride.

it's all good man, you liked his look and mimicked it. very flattering... just too bad you put that big ugly "s" on the scoop

Yeah, maybe I should just paint the whole car black?

you totally should! and get m7 grills, CF mirror caps, CF handles, CF gas cap, and take off your spoiler too

NAh, then I would just be a Hack who can't think on his own.

It's great that you think that this is funny, and you are taking it in the spirit in which it is intended.

It is your opinion that you didn't copy PGT, and you arrived at your car today on your own. It's fine that you feel that way, but you can't blame folks here for thinking you ripped it off.

I'm not going to say you did or didn't. All that I am going to say, is that were it me, I'd hate having to justify it to anyone here who asks "didn't PGT's car look like that first?"

If you're good with that, then happy motoring