Restoration Companies

[S6PNJ]

As it has taken me about 20 years to get not very far with my classic Mini that is in need of restoration, I'm going to bite the bullet and pay for someone to restore it for me. Certainly the bodywork will be paid for but I'm hoping once I get the shell back I'll have the necessary capabilities to do the rest. Welding etc is not my strong point and I also don't have the space etc.

Are there any recommendations for good restoration companies? I realise naming and shaming isn't allowed here, so if there are any I should avoid, please feel free to PM me.

I already know of:
Sommerford Mini and
The Real Mini Company (fairly close to me)

Any other recommendations please? Please don't suggest learning to weld etc, I don't have the time, space, desire etc to do the body work though I'm more than happy to do the mechanicals.

[nick1275]

pm sent mate

[Altrezia]

I would give it to someone like Paul Wigington - known in the mini scene, and a real genius when it comes to metal.

[R-Mann]

It would be worth talking to Warren Kennedy - Classic Restorations (http://www.classicrestorations.org.uk/contact.php) or RS Cars (http://www.richard-shrive-cars.co.uk/Contact.htm)
Both have been involved in a number of my Mini restorations over the years and have a wealth of experience with them and have good facilities. Your choice would really be down to budget and how far you want to go with the work.

Hope this helps.

[Mrtee]

also include Simon Drew at the Miniworks.

www.theminiworks.co.uk

recent winner of car of the show at the MCR show.

his work is excellent.

[S6PNJ]

Thanks to all so far.

nick1275 (hmmm, let me guess what the 1275 is?) - your chap might be a bit far away for me - plus his javascript on his website isn't working so I can't see any more details other than his home page.

Altrezia, do you have contact details and also a location for Paul Wiginton please?

R-Mann, MK and Beds are good locations as my Mini is currently in Cambs, so not far to drag it (or have it collected).

Mrtee - I think Simon might be a bit far away sadly.

Keep 'em coming - I'm still searching.

[zetec_s6]

A mate of mine has a restoration company near Banbury and knows a lot about Minis so may be worth considering. http://www.retrospectivecars.co.uk

[Cooperman]

If you are in Cambs the best person I know is Alan in Chatteris. He is a real expert on bodywork and has a full Mini body jig as well. He has lately been doing some Mk.1 race shells for Swiftune.
He is very reasonable price-wise and I can recommend his work very highly. His number is 07798 692727.

[squirejo]

With apologies to the OP for the hijack, I have just bought a 1968 austin cooper mk2 which was restored 10 yrs ago. It appears in very good condition (as advertised) having done 6k miles since then and it certainly managed the 120 miles home without batting an eyelid.

I would now like to send it to a recognised mini specialist for a thorough going over, service and any remedial work- body or mechanical- to ensure its in great shape. If I discover it's a bag of rust under the glossy paint then it will need sorting, properly.

So- which of the previously mentioned companies would you readers go to for this sort of work? I am in London but other convenient locations would be Gloucestershire/Cotswolds.

Thanks in advance for any further recommendations- and if anyone wishes to PM me steering me away from some cowboys, that would also be appreciated!

[S6PNJ]

squirejo said:

So- which of the previously mentioned companies would you readers go to for this sort of work? I am in London but other convenient locations would be Gloucestershire/Cotswolds.

No problems for the hijack - it also serves as a prompt for me to update my findings so far.

Whilst I've not re-visited Sommerford Minis recently, as they are near Chippenham area, they might be ideal for you. From what I know, a very reputable company.

I've only been to speak to 2 of the above recommendations so far:

RS Cars - Seems ok for a standard rebuild, but a bit too 'old school' garage for my liking. The garage is a good old fashioned (as I mean that in a complimentary way) oil covered workshop etc. Plenty of restored vehicles in his yard and he left me with a flyer showing 2 of his rebuilds.

Warren Kennedy - Classic Restoration - wow! what can I say, excellent facilities and some of the cars he has - just WOW! He is going to come and have a look at the state of my Mini once I get a bit more organised, just to confirm a few things then will give me indicative figures. I left his premises with a feeling that he would do a top notch job - just whether I wanted it so good and whether I'm willing (or have the funds) to pay what I expect will be a top price. I'd have no hesitation taking my mini there (subject to price of course!).

I still need to speak to the others so I've not decided yet but need to keep momentum otherwise it might be another 20 years till I get going again!

Cooperman (Peter), thanks for the recommendation - you came out to see me a number of years ago (3-4 I guess) and I'm still no further forward. I'll give Alan a call soon.

[squirejo]

thanks a lot for that I shall look into somerford. Rather brought memories flooding back driving it home last night. Hot left leg (at least the heater works), cold right leg. Thank god it was a dry night.

[casbar]

Another great company is Slark Race Engineering, they are in Amesbury, near Salisbury, Wilts. Neil does the engine work etc, his brother who has a workshop in Bristol does body work and re-spraying. They did a great job on my sons Cooper S

[squirejo]

Not exactly restoration places but does anyone have feedback on either the london mini centre or Croydon mini with respect their abilities to service And fettle proper classic minis (ie pre 90's rover).

[nick1275]

sommerford have very poor customer service from my own experience

[squirejo]

Tell me more. I can forgive an inability to answer email of say thanks if the work is good and cost effective.

[slk32]

I have my car booked in with Somerford for restoration. You've got me worried ?!

I have no complaints from my brief experience so far.

S.

[nick1275]

bought a brand new heritage shell off them, had the phone call to say its in and ready to collect. asked if i needed to bring a couple of bods to get it on the trailer or were there enough people to help at that end to which the reply was "well you havnt paid for it yet" i said its no problem will do a bank transfer as agreed when i paid the deposit then got told "well it might not clear in time" as it happned they confirmed it had all cleared within 10 mins of making the transfer. when we got there the member of staff we first spoke to was miserable and seemed not to care less, once we got in to where the shell was stored the bloke was in a rush and just seemed to want us in and out and as a result was rushing, he very nearly wheeled the shell into his parked forklift only me jumping in the way stopped the rear quarter getting a ding in it.
once we were all loaded up my mate wanted to have a quick look in the shop at a few second hand bits, the staff didnt seem bothered about trying to sell anything when he enquired about a few things so we just walked out and left.
having bought a new shell im going to need quite a few bits bits to put it back together, if this was my buisness i would of promoted it slightly better knowing the customer is going to need quite a bit to get the car finished. as a result mini spares are going to get a very nice order going there way!
my mate who was there with me restores mini's for a living and he has said he wont ever get anything from them based on our experince
im not for one second saying there restoration quality is substandard as we saw some nicely done mini's there, but a bit of a smile and some basic customer service wouldnt of gone a miss

[iSore]

Mini Machine used to do the best restorations bar none - I believe they now only manufacture panels and other bits. A pity because although they were pretty expensive, they were without a doubt the best in the business and way ahead of their time for doing detail perfect rebuilds.

[duncancallum]

There is chap by chomondley castle who did a friends Mk1 Cooper. His metal work is excellent as is his knowledge.

Or autofusion in Leigh his way with steel is unbelivable

[S6PNJ]

Thanks for the rec's and a prompt for me to update my further findings! Whilst I was near Bath the other day, I popped by one of the afore mentioned specialists (no names but I'm sure you can work it out) and had a chat with them. Suffice to say they will not be getting my business, not that they need it as they claim an 18-24 month waiting list. I asked the chap if he'd like to have a look at a few photo's of the shell I had on my laptop to get an idea of what was required - sorry, not enough time at the moment was the reply but if you want to have a look at our workshop I'll show you round - sorry, not enough time came my reply.

I did not feel as though I was welcome in any way and left with a distinct bitter taste in my mouth.