Strother MacMinn

The 1958 MacMinn Le Mans Coupe, designed by Strother MacMinn and engineered by John Bond of Road & Track, was a vision of dual-purpose excellence. Powered by a Corvette V8, it was hailed as a groundbreaking American sports car design, showcased on Road & Track's cover in 1960. Only five were built.

A construction photo of the 1958 MacMinn Le Mans Coupe by Howard Miereanu. The car stands as a testament to the design prowess of Strother MacMinn, a revered figure in automotive design and education. Miereanu, a former student and friend of MacMinn, recalled, "Mac was not only my instructor while I was a student at ArtCenter studying auto design, he was a great friend over the years." He spoke of MacMinn's unwavering commitment to his students, emphasizing how he would encourage them to think creatively and challenge the conventional boundaries of automotive design. These mentorship sessions, often extending to auto shows and intimate gatherings, allowed students to dissect and analyze the latest in automotive trends, fueling their passion and curiosity. Photo from The Howard Miereanu Collection.

Another photo of the 1958 MacMinn Le Mans Coupe that Howard Miereanu took after Mac had the Fiberglass body finished. "It was one of the most exciting times for all of his students to see a design come from a sketch to fruition," Miereanu recalled adding that the strips were only tape. Photo from The Howard Miereanu Collection.

The 1958 MacMinn Le Mans Coupe gained significant attention when it graced the cover of Road & Track August 1960. It was also a featured highlight in MacMinn's book "Sports Cars of the Future." The design received high praise from automotive journalists, with Robert Cumberford of Sports Car Guide magazine hailing it as "The most exciting sports car design constructed in the USA in years." Howard Miereanu was the cameraman who filmed the "tuft speed trial" at Riverside International Raceway while he rode in Mac's 120 Jaguar down the 1500 ft back straight. "This was lots of fun and very exciting to be part of this event." Photo from The Howard Miereanu Collection.

Howard Miereanu fondly remembered the excitement that surrounded the creation of the 1958 MacMinn Le Mans Coupe. "It was one of the most exciting times for all of his students to see a design come from a sketch to fruition," he noted. The unveiling of the finished Fiberglass body was a pivotal moment, not just for MacMinn, but for all those who had been part of the journey. Miereanu's personal collection of photographs and 16mm movie footage from Mac’s car at Riverside Raceway stood as a testament to these memories. Photo from The Howard Miereanu Collection.

A photo of Strother with other Pebble Beach Concours judges. Photo from The Howard Miereanu Collection.

Strother MacMinn is a revered figure in automotive design and education known for his influential role at the ArtCenter College of Design and his tenure as the Chief Honorary Judge at the Pebble Beach Concours. In 2023, Howard Miereanu, a former student and friend of MacMinn told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama that Mac was not only his instructor while he was a student at ArtCenter studying auto design, "he was a great friend over the years." Miereanu spoke of MacMinn's unwavering commitment to his students, emphasizing how he would encourage them to think creatively and challenge the conventional boundaries of automotive design. These mentorship sessions, often extending to auto shows and intimate gatherings, allowed students to dissect and analyze the latest in automotive trends, fueling their passion and curiosity.^[1]

Larry Wood and the Strother MacMinn Influence

Famed Hot Wheels designer Larry Wood enrolled at the Art Center in 1962. One of the most pivotal moments during Wood's time at Art Center was his interaction with Strother MacMinn, a teacher whose vision of car design leaned towards streamlined vehicles. MacMinn's preference for cars that were pointed at both ends starkly contrasted with Wood's hot rod inclinations, which featured blowers on hoods, side pipes, and large tires. This clash of design philosophies culminated in a significant meeting where Wood was bluntly told he wouldn't make it if he didn't adapt. Wood describes this experience as a major turning point, where he returned from the meeting with a newfound humility and a revised perspective on car design. He recognized the value in listening to his mentors, understanding that car design, especially in places like Detroit, demanded versatility beyond hot rods.^[2]

Cars Designed by Strother MacMinn

1958 MacMinn Le Mans Coupe