Restoration expert

[quinlaned]

Hi all. Have just joined the forum as have decided it's time to investigate restoring my grandmothers mini and need some advice.

Not 100% on the details yet ... searching for log book. Best of knowledge, it's a 1973 mini with circa 30k miles. Plenty of rust/oxidation on most panels. Clutch seized.

Looking for advice on a specialist to perform restoration on it . Any recommendations? I'm guessing the are a few on here? Plan B is to get my local body repair shop to take it on but prefer the specialist/experienced option if possible.

What ballpark figure am I looking at for such a restoration? What's the normal procedure .... Replace majority of panels (depending on condition) and restore body/shell as best as possible? What about glass, chrome, seals, engine, etc ....

Sorry ... Many questions! Contact or name of the best person to restore this properly is main thing I'm after ...

Thanks,
Ed

[coolmini]

If you don't intend to do any work yourself its going to get very expensive. Also you better sort out that logbook first.
Try Ray in Galway mini Center.
He's a top man and will point you in the right direction and can do the work too as he knows his stuff. I would suggest though that maybe you should do some of the work yourself to save on cost.

[woody]

You can spend as much or as little as you want on a rerstoration but you get what you pay for. A "proper "restoration of a '73 standard mini will cost far in excess of its market value so make sure its sentimental value is worth it. Best thing would be to attend a Mini show like the one comming up in Carrick on Shannon and talk to owners and see the quality of work that others have done.

[quinlaned]

Thanks for advice ... Carrick sounds like a good idea if I can make it.
Had a quick look inside events section but couldn't find anything on that meet ...? Apologies of that's a noob error! Can someone post the details (or link)?

Thanks!

[Darren]

Hi Ed,

hope this link works, this is a really great weekend,

http://www.irishminis.ie/forum/viewtopi ... 224#p68621