From Boats to Beach Cars: Flexiteek Brings a Marine Touch to the Mini Mojito
Flexiteek is best known for being primarily a boat decking option, but its versatility extends far beyond just boats.
The latest project by Crawford Automobiles, the Mini Mojito, demonstrates how Flexiteek can be used in automotive applications, bringing a distinctive marine-inspired finish to a completely different type of vehicle.
Summer 2026 saw Crawford Automobiles unveil its latest Mini Mojito, a limited-edition beach car that combines the classic 1960s British Mini with modern safety features and a distinct coastal character.
Designed with beach and marina life in mind, the hand-built Mini Mojito brings together a carefully selected mix of materials, including marine-grade upholstery from Sunbrella and Flexiteek flooring.
And it is the use of Flexiteek in the footwell that caught our attention.
Can Flexiteek be used outside of boats?
While Flexiteek was developed for the marine environment and is primarily used as a synthetic teak decking material for boats, the mix of over 30 colour combinations, durability and design flexibility means it can also be considered for a variety of other applications.
The Mini Mojito is a great example of this.
Alongside its open sides, the use of Flexiteek adds that beachy character to the Mini Mojito’s design. Additionally, Flexiteek in the footwell subtly connects the vehicle to its coastal environment, from beaches and marinas to life by the sea.
A Mini Designed for Beach and Marina Life
The Mini Mojito is Crayford Automobiles’ modern interpretation of the classic British beach car.
Based on a genuine Mini, the latest Mojito has been developed through an extensive research and development programme, with improvements to performance, safety, handling and also braking, helping to make it better suited to modern roads.
Each car is coachbuilt in Britain. Buyers can choose from a range of options to create a vehicle tailored to their requirements.
Those options include an EV powertrain developed by Crayford, automatic transmission, custom wheels and arches, a ‘Mk1 look’ styling package and bespoke interior as well as exterior finishes.
Bringing a Marine Aesthetic to Automotive Design
One of the most interesting aspects of the Mini Mojito project is how materials traditionally associated with boats can completely change the feel of an automotive interior.
Flexiteek’s teak-inspired appearance immediately creates a connection with the marine environment. This makes it particularly suited to a vehicle designed around beach and marina life.
Alongside Flexiteek, Sunbrella® and other marine-grade upholstery materials bring the same coastal influence into the cabin. Together, they create an interior that complements the coast. It is a great example of how materials developed for other industries can inspire designers. The result is something completely different. In this case, by creating the Mini Mojito’s own distinct identity.
A British Collaboration
The Mini Mojito project brings together two British businesses with strong connections to the automotive and marine industries.
Crayford Automobiles brings more than 60 years of British coachbuilding heritage to the project. Its vehicles continue to be hand-built in Britain, with a focus on craftsmanship, individuality and bespoke design.
Flexiteek’s involvement was supported by Sea Dek, the Flexiteek distributor based in Tollesbury, Essex. James Gant, Director of Sea Dek, worked closely with the Crayford team to bring the Mini Mojito to life, incorporating Flexiteek into the interior to complement its coastal-inspired design.
The result is a collaboration that brings together traditional British coachbuilding with a material synonymous with modern marine design.
Perhaps that is what makes the Mini Mojito so interesting. Rather than trying to be a boat on four wheels, it draws on the marine world, combining materials such as Flexiteek and Sunbrella to create a vehicle that feels at home beside the water.
Designed for Summer, Inspired by the Sea
The Mini Mojito demonstrates that good design can come from looking beyond traditional applications.
Whether it is driven along the coast, parked beside a marina or used for relaxed summer trips, the Mini Mojito is designed for leisure. Its design captures the spirit of beach life.
The addition of Flexiteek to the footwell is a small but considered detail that helps tell that story.
It also demonstrates the versatility of Flexiteek. It shows how its distinctive marine aesthetic can be adapted to applications far beyond traditional boat decking.
From boats to beach cars, Flexiteek shows that great design does not always have to stay in its original lane.
Discover the Mini Mojito
The latest Mini Mojito is available in limited numbers. Crayford Automobiles offers cars from stock alongside bespoke builds tailored to individual customers.
To find out more about the Mini Mojito, visit Crayford Automobiles.
