Crowds “wowed” by New Mini Cooper Pool Table
Lots of people have said to us “wouldn’t it be cool if someone made a pool table out of a Mini”. It’s an easy notion, but actually making it happen is literally more easily said than done.
Having taken 2 years to perfect the prototype, it was launched at this week’s Grand Designs Live, being held at London’s Excel Exhibition Centre, on stand L164.
For more details please see our product page for the Mini Cooper Pool Table.
The car is the star!
“The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. People love it. The most common comment we hear is ‘that’s so cool!’. The Mini is a national icon, so seeing this old car turned into something so amazing has really caught people’s imagination” said designer Doug Cottham.
The idea and construction has been realised by Kent based manufacturer Chisel Pool. Three man team Doug Cottham, Tom Cottham and Tom Horton pooled (if you excuse the pun) their skills to bring the project to fruition. Doug provided the vision, Tom Cottham his skills as a skilled steel engineer, and Tom Horton his extensive experience as one of the UK’s most respected pool table installers.
Recycling on a grand scale
“We think it’s a great example of recycling something once much cherished by past owners into an object to be equally loved by it’s new owner. Much better than it going to the scrapyard!” commented construction engineer, Tom Horton.
The donor car was purchased two years ago and has gone through extensive bodywork, as well as construction, to become the finished item.
“Using an old car seemed the best idea, but the amount of rust and resulting bodywork needed, more than doubled the intended build time. Future models will be based on a brand new Heritage body shell” said Tom Cottham, who handled the structural work on the project.
As you would imagine it’s a fairly lengthy and complicated process to turn a once road-going Mini into a pool table. Firstly the engine was taken out, the roof was cut off, the suspension removed, all electrics and brake lines removed, and the floorpan cut out.
The design challenges were to be able to have a perfectly level playing surface and to be able to fit the car through a normal doorway. To do this an ingenious patent pending space frame was built inside the car to which the body work was welded, this enables the entire car to sit on four legs and not rely on using the wheels as these couldn’t be used to level the table.
To fit the car through a normal house doorway the car splits onto two pieces. The pool table part is removed first, then the doors, finally the space frame is unclipped and the two parts are placed in carry boxes.
Virtually limitless customisation options
The number of purchaser options are almost limitless. From paint to pool table cloth we can do whatever the customer would like, any colour, any design. We can provide the pool table to play English or American pool. The engine bay can house a drinks cabinet, sound system, or even a champagne/beer fridge. The boot houses the ball return - where the balls gather once potted. We can set the hazard lights to flash, as well as lighting the head and tail lights. Its even possible to sound the horn each time a ball is potted.
"Early feedback at the Grand Designs Live Exhibition has been incredible.” enthused designer Doug, “we have taken two orders in the first two days, as well as being approached by a customer wanting to convert his own car, a Porsche 911.”
Prices for the Mini Cooper Pool Table start at £35,000 including VAT, along with delivery and installation to anywhere in the UK mainland. Worldwide delivery and installation is available. Production time is approximately 16 weeks, depending on the level of specification required by the customer.
On display in our Bristol showroom:
Once the Grand Designs Live show has finished the Mini Cooper Pool Table will be installed at Home Leisure Direct’s showroom, which is situated just north of Bristol.
“We have had lots of enquiries from people who haven’t been able to attend the show in London to see the Mini, so we are looking forward to welcoming anyone who would like to see this incredible Mini Cooper pool table and play a few frames” said Andy Beresford, Managing Director at Home Leisure Direct. "It will be on display at various events through the year, so we advise customers to call ahead before making the journey. We have 25 pool tables, a range of jukeboxes, arcade machines, foosball and table tennis tables, as well as pinball machines on display - so there’s plenty to see.”
All sales enquiries should be directed to either our email address: [email protected], or by phone to either 0800 622 6464 or 01454 413636.
Any press enquires should be made to Andy Beresford via email: [email protected], or by phone to either of the numbers above.