MK1 Restoration Companies - Recommendations?

[roker_lad]

Hi all,

I have a MK1 mini which I'm looking to get restored. Although I'm happy doing small jobs myself, I need to find a company to take care of a few bits. Basically, I'm looking to get the car resprayed (its had a bad respray job in the past), engine dressing and also retrim the interior.

Here is the state of the car as it is. It runs fine, but just needs a bit of a facelift! I'm looking to get it back to as close to original as possible:







Happy to travel to get the best possible job done/good quote, but generally I'm in the south east (bedfordshire) so in and around that area would be good.

Thanks all!

[bmcman.ie]

talk to freddie, nippycars, you wont go far wrong! ian.

[roker_lad]

talk to freddie, nippycars, you wont go far wrong! ian.

Thanks for this, been on his website and the standard looks really high.

Where are they based? It doesn't say on the site!

[johnsimister]

Burnham on Sea, Somerset. A friend has just this morning taken delivery of his Nippy-restored Mk1 Cooper S 970 in Surf Blue and it is beyond gorgeous.

John

[STG95F]

Yes Fred does a very nice/ good job .

Any Photos John of the S .??


Ian

[rolesyboy]

Fred @ Nippycars really knows his stuff. Currently putting one of the complete floor undersides they do in my Mk1. In all my dealings he has been super reliable and very helpful. Worth a call. Cheers. Mark

[Nevsmini]

I have to agree with all above. Top work!

[roker_lad]

Thank all, I'll give him a call this week!

[nick rogers]

You'll be needing a brake master cyl, horn, radiator, radiator surround and a set of red front seats to replace the clubbie ones. I'm confused, the car is a deluxe or SDL but has only a black speedo in white pod, no oil and water. Is that correct?
By the way, Fred is indeed extremely good.

[nippycars]

Thanks for all the nice comments,



[img


nice to chat Roker lad

Fred

[mniwagn]

Very nice what model is this surf blue car? thanks

[roker_lad]

You'll be needing a brake master cyl, horn, radiator, radiator surround and a set of red front seats to replace the clubbie ones. I'm confused, the car is a deluxe or SDL but has only a black speedo in white pod, no oil and water. Is that correct?
By the way, Fred is indeed extremely good.

Hi Nick,

Understand what you mean by the engine parts, will definitely be sourcing some parts in order to replace them with originals. As for the interior, I'll completely strip it and the clubby seats will be out. Unfortunately the previous owner of the car had it for 30+ years and just bodged it to keep it on the road.

In terms of whether it is deluxe or SDL, I'm clueless but would love to find out! Is this something I could find out by getting a heritage certificate? Did the deluxe's only come with white dials? The car is 1962, and I believe in 63 they added the oil and water gauges? I could be wrong on that!

[bmcman.ie]

christ freddie, that surf blue s looks crap! i better recommend someone else next time! ian.

[roker_lad]

Thanks for all the nice comments,



[img


nice to chat Roker lad

Fred

Looks great Fred, PM sent

[rolesyboy]

That is a work of art. Stunning!

[coopertim]

Nice to see that some of my panels went onto a Surf Blue car! Stunning Mini - Gorgeous!

Tim

[FCV.66]

Having had a sneaky look at DVLA site, your Mini was first registered April 1962, which rules out SDL. The Super deluxe was introduced in October 1962. Interestingly, although 1962 registered, your shell does not have the heater ducting hole and blanking plate on the bulkhead which to me suggests it is a 1961 car, (not sure when this was introduced but I think mid-1961) which had been late registered. If a Super deluxe it would have the lower dash rail vinyl covered, as well as the 3-dial instrument pod. My guess is it has had a speedo change. It could be a deluxe or even a Basic model which has had opening side windows fitted at some time. A deluxe would have had chrome finishers to the lower dash rail and surrounding the switch panel, also kick-plates on the doors, non of which your car has. You certainly need Heritage certificate to conclude if it is a deluxe or rare Basic model.

Garry.

[roker_lad]

Having had a sneaky look at DVLA site, your Mini was first registered April 1962, which rules out SDL. The Super deluxe was introduced in October 1962. Interestingly, although 1962 registered, your shell does not have the heater ducting hole and blanking plate on the bulkhead which to me suggests it is a 1961 car, (not sure when this was introduced but I think mid-1961) which had been late registered. If a Super deluxe it would have the lower dash rail vinyl covered, as well as the 3-dial instrument pod. My guess is it has had a speedo change. It could be a deluxe or even a Basic model which has had opening side windows fitted at some time. A deluxe would have had chrome finishers to the lower dash rail and surrounding the switch panel, also kick-plates on the doors, non of which your car has. You certainly need Heritage certificate to conclude if it is a deluxe or rare Basic model.

Garry.

Interesting stuff Garry, thanks for checking that out. I think before I go ahead with restoration I want to get the heritage certificate, that way I can get as close to original as possible and find out what the actual model is!

[Craig]

Absolutely lovely "S" !!!!
Any more pictures ?? Engine bay ??

Craig

[nippycars]