11 replies to this topic

[minicooper1.3i]

Morning

Can anyone recommend a good mini specialist in the Beds, Bucks & Herts area? Ideally close to Bedford. Following on from my other post about repair cost estimations, we now need to find somewhere that can talk on the work at short notice and do a decent yet competitively prices job.

My first choice would have been DC Mini's but being out of the scene for a few years meant I missed the very sad news. Darrel was a top bloke who gave me a lot of his time and help. A great loss to the Mini scene.

So any recommendations would be gratefully received.

Cheers all.

[Black.Ghost]

A short while back, Cooperman gave me details of a guy in Henlow, who is apparently one of the best in classic mini restorations. I have no idea of prices, and have no links whatsoever, but I'll forward you the message I got. Might be worth a call. 

[Shifty]

For the welding it's worth dropping Cradely Heathen on here a PM.  He does very good and reasonably priced work

[minicooper1.3i]

Cheers Shifty. Any idea where he's based?

[Shifty]

West Midlands, you'd have to get it transported there but that's usually not a problem

[monkeymayor]

If anyone is able to recommend any in london, or within the M25 id appreciate it too

[minicooper1.3i]

It'd be good if there was a list of all specialists and their skill sets on here, arranged by region. I bet there are loads of quality people / places around that don't advertise and rely on word of mouth.

[fenghuang]

There are a couple if guys at Gibraltar Farm in Luton who do classic body work. I don't know the company name, and as they were hand forming panels on a bare metal resto of a DB5 cabrio when I spoke to them, they may be a little expensive. But one if them owns a Mk1 Mini so they might be worth talking to.
(There's a company next door to them called Bell Classics but I think they're a different company.)

I've had a recommendation for Dave at Village Vehicles in Kimpton for mechanical work. I may be able to give more info in a couple of weeks when he's had a look at my Mini.

Edited by fenghuang, 07 April 2015 - 07:35 AM.

[wendy woo]

If you're in Bedford then take a look at the mini hospital in Northampton, speak to Bob, top man, been looking after my 72 mini for a few years now, would never go anywhere else

[minicooper1.3i]

Thanks to all of you who have posted replys.  The only one I've managed to follow up on has been Black.Ghost's.  Went with my brother tonight to see the guy at Henlow and he is indeed a top bloke. Small workshop / paintshop crammed with Mini's of all ages and more undercover outside awaiting his attention.  He was kind enough to give us a lot of his time tonight to show us around the workshop at all the motors in different stages of restoration, and to go over my brother's one and give us his opinion.  Unfortunately the news isn't good as there's more work required than our initial investigations had led to believe.  At least now we know what we're up against, and I'll be happy to use their services in the future, especially as they don't consider the mpi's to be the of some black magic, which is the attitude I've met elsewhere.

[Dmr]

Hi do you have the details of the bloke in henlow as I am looking for someone to do the welding on my car
Thanks

[Cooperman]

I have described above exactly where Chris Spennewyn's workshop is located. On the A600 just north of Ickleford where the 40 limit ends on the right hand side at Pinchgut Hall.

Edited by Cooperman, 09 August 2015 - 07:51 PM.