Finding the right quote
Waiting for a gap in all this rain proved arduous. My garden is now swampland and everything is damp and covered in algae. Luckily the sun broke through the clouds long enough for us to get the Mini out for a good few hours.
We started by removing the rear bumper and boot so we can get at the valance and at the tank more easily. Testing the fuel gauge sensor with a stick indicates that it is stuck but the tank is too full to play with it right now. It will need draining later.
Next we removed the front bumper and number plate. Two of the bolts sheared off the bumper. Add that to the list of things to address later. Next the side trims were removed followed by the wheel arches by drilling off the pot rivet heads. There was a lot of dirt trapped behind the arches so we gave them a wash and then checked for rust. The left rear has a hole that goes through to the rear bin. More welding. The front, after some attacking with a wire brush drill attachment, uncovered a small hole on the lip that can be taken care of with some Isopon P38/P40.
We removed the front left headlight and blasted back the bubbling paint and rust. Nothing that some rust killer (Jenolite), P38, and some primer and paint can’t fix. I’m trying to recall how you get the headlight socket off the wing. It may require rear access. The Haynes manual doesn’t appear to say (It should be pot rivets but looks like aftermarket hex bolts).
In the meantime I’ve been calling round speaking to local welders and body repair shops. They are either not interested or want thousands with no guaranteed quote. I’ve also been pointed towards several classic car restoration firms. I have a feeling that the welding is going to cost a small fortune. One welder suggested a new shell, but I think that's over the top as there is only rust in a few places. Besides I can buy another Mini or two with MOTs for the cost of a complete body shell.
Some time later..
I've had more quotes, and the more that come over to take a look, the more proding and poking and the more holes that they find. I can buy a fully restored Mini for the quotes I'm getting. But I don't want another Mini, I'm rather attached to mine. So I either learn to angle grind and weld well or I fork out. I'm still holding out and have booked further quotes but I'm running out of numbers to call.
Meanwhile I've started making a list of what my daughter and I can work on as 'teachable moments'. So far we have:
- Overhaul all four wheels, including brakes and handbrake, as none spin freely
- Inspect the exhaust end-to-end
- Run through the UK MOT checklist
- Fix all the electrical problems
That should keep us busy until the car goes to a bodyshop.
Fingers crossed!
Dave
Date posted: 22nd February 2026
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