PAUL SMITH MINI - 1998 - LOW MILEAGE

Minis have been a big influence in my life. I could write a book about it. so I think would't it be nice to have a mini. one with all the bits on. It turns out they make one staright from the factory with alloy wheels. leather interior and wheel arches - called a Paul Smith. I know who he is having looked at Vogue magazine whilst waiting in the dentist. and it was the best advert in the magazine.

Having spent a life time restoring some of the most important cars in the world I know low mileage is very important. I managed to find a 26000 mile Paul Smith Mini. a good car with perfect interior and all the Paul Smith bits. I drove it for a while and noticed it made people smile and take notice. it could be the fact that I live near the plant where they are produced today.

I then started to look at it carefully and although good it wasn't mint. that when I decided up[on a respray. but there would have to be no evidence that it had been done. All the interior was removed including the head lining. the doors were stripped back to bare shells. boot and bonnet removed wheel arches un-pot riveted and windscreen glass removed. I took it to a friend who regularly  sprays Bugattis and other expensive cars. This is when I decided that the colour would have to be exactly matched. I poloshed one of the doors and used it as a template to match the colour. it took the paint rep three attempts to get it exactly right.

The next problem was I didn't want it flatted and polished to look like glass. I wanted to look like it came from the factory. It had to have a good staright from the gun finish - there is lways that person that says "they never looked like that when they were new".

When I got it back from the sprayers and started to reassemble it I decided to replace the hydraulic cylinders and fit new discs. I noticed that the rear sub frame didn't match the rest of the car now. I removed the sub frame. completely stripped it. had it blasted. coated it with Bondaprima and applied the correct chassis black paint. Having cleaned the underneath of the car I reassembled the sub frame and fitted it back to the car.

I then set about cleaning the engine compartment. fitted new filters. plugs. fan belt and changed the oil etc. Luckily the Paul Smith green rocker box cover and plug leads were in perfect condition.

Although the head lining was in good condition I though it wouldne look perfect if it was refitted so I took it to trimmer and asked him to match the material and make sure the seams were straight!! - it turned out a very good job. I reassembled the body panels replacing various plastic strips that didn't look mint.

By now I was on first name terms with the lady at Minispeed. I bought a new Lucas battery. attempted to start the car and the fuel pump didn't work. I fitted a new fuel pump and it ran perfectly. ticks over and starts immediately - you can't beat fuel injection.

The tyres had plenty of tread but they were obviously old. it was an opportunity to thoroughly clean the wheels and fit new tyres. The spare wheel has the original tyre which has never been fitted to the car. I fitted a new rubber battery strap. It has the original tools in the Paul Smith bag.

The car is now looking really good. the spot lamps look a bit dull. I bought two new ones from Minispeed for £100. 00 each - something about ships and tar spring to mind!!!

As 1959 Minis are causing such a stir I have bought one and am going to start the aggravation all over again - glutton for punishment!!

Oh I forgot to mention I had to buy the rare original Paul Smith sticker for the rear window and the key ring.

Listed below is some of the MOT's showing the mileage:-

2002 - 12843

2003 - 14704

2004 - 16351

2005 - 20571

2006 - 25466

2008 - 26460

2009 - 26469

2013 - 26706

When the car sells it will have a years MOT and tax.

I might take an interesting part exchange

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