I've never even heard of body chops - do you have any photos of the process so we can understand a little more about what you've done to your Mini? If you don't could you explain briefly (or at length if you want! ) what it involves?
Off topic, is that your surf blue car in the BMW Mini dealership? I noticed one in there on Wednesday and remember you having one in the showroom/counter area when I was once in at Mini Spares.