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Two Great Designers Tackled the Mille Miglia in a BMW 328

Adrian van Hooydonk and Alfredo Häberli at Mille Miglia 2011Adrian van Hooydonk and Alfredo Häberli at Mille Miglia 2011Adrian van Hooydonk and Alfredo Häberli at Mille Miglia 2011Adrian van Hooydonk and Alfredo Häberli at Mille Miglia 2011Adrian van Hooydonk and Alfredo Häberli at Mille Miglia 2011Adrian van Hooydonk and Alfredo Häberli at Mille Miglia 2011Adrian van Hooydonk and Alfredo Häberli at Mille Miglia 2011Adrian van Hooydonk and Alfredo Häberli at Mille Miglia 2011Adrian van Hooydonk and Alfredo Häberli at Mille Miglia 2011Adrian van Hooydonk and Alfredo Häberli at Mille Miglia 2011
The BMW 328 - the Bavarians' first ever true sports car - is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, so it was only natural the Germans would enter one such example in the Mille Miglia classic car rally event. Behind the wheel of that white BMW 328 were Head of BMW Group Design Adrian van Hooydonk and Swiss industrial designer Alfredo Haberli.

The two designers have known each other for many years. Adrian van Hooydonk has even commissioned his colleague to design a leather jacket specially for the Mille Miglia 2011.

The model created by Haberli features a classically clear silhouette, with both modern and functional design, that draws attention to the high-grade leather and discreet stand-up collar. It also features “invisible” details such as an integral, adjustable kidney protector. Completing the series are an equally practical weekend bag and a garment bag.

“I have long admired Alfredo Häberli for his design style – refined, unpretentious, with humour and a fine sense of detail,”
stated van Hooydonk.

“I’m glad we were able to test Häberli’s Mille Miglia jacket during the rally,”
he continued. “It proved to be highly practical and shows the professional skill of its designer.” The jacket was made by leather specialists Meindl in an exclusive edition of just two.

“For me the race was a first,” said Häberli, a keen motor sport fan since childhood. “I was particularly delighted to be driving in the Mille Miglia with Adrian van Hooydonk. Plus, it was a tremendous opportunity to get a close-up look at the many classics taking part. They all combine emotion with functionality – two criteria on which I also place great value.”

You can also check out our coverstory section to find more info on the “successful German sports car” - the BMW 328.
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