We were asked by Gail and Tony to evaluate the possible restoration of an old Mini which had been lying derelict on a farm for many years. When we inspected the Mini we found it to be in a terrible state. The body was heavily corroded, the interior had been destroyed and the wiring had been eaten by mice. The engine was also seized solid too. Now, we normally like to think that we can work with what we have been put before us, but on this occasion it was quite clear that a new body shell would be required. This now gave us the opportunity to build a respectable Mini with updated features but also to build it keeping within it’s 1970 heritage. Gail and Tony decided that they would like an original manually operated full length sun roof and were particularly keen on having a red and grey interior akin to the Mini Coopers from the 1960’s. We built a standard 1275 engine with rod change gearbox but painted it in the darker shade of mid bronze green which was just about being phased out in favour of black in the early seventies. We fitted Cooper S brakes with the later type brake servo but in keeping with the retro look we fitted 10 inch wheels. Finished in red with an Old English white roof we were really pleased with the look of this sleek Mini.