ON THE JOB
went green as that must have been the
original colour. It’s definitely the original
engine as we’ve checked it!Have you got a name in mind?
Richard is a big James Bond fan, so he
called her Little Nellie. I haven’t decided
what I’ll call her yet... but the number plate
whispers Vicki Butler-Henderson at me...What are your plans for after the project
is finished?
When it is finished we are going to take herto the IMM! We’ll do some local shows, but
other than that we’ll just enjoy taking her on
days out – including a trip to see Richard.
We’re planning on taking her to Castle
Coombe but not on the track! We’ve not
been on the parade with any of our other
Minis, but we’ll definitely take this one!Do you have an ultimate rebuild project?
This IS my ultimate rebuild project. I think
Minis should be for life. I have never sold a
car! Every car I ever had (and they have all
been Minis) I have kept hold of.FINISHED SPEC
BODY: 1970 Blue Royale Clubman Estate with
refurbished wooden trim.
ENGINE: Original 1098cc engine (reconditioned
and painted green as original).
TRANSMISSION:
Standard four-speed remote gearbox.
SUSPENSION: Rubber cone.
BRAKES: Standard drums.
WHEELS: Standard 10s with chrome star hubcaps
and embellishers. Blockley tyres.
INTERIOR: Original rear seats, front seat covers
by Newton Commercial (fitted by Mini
Trimmings). Wedgwood Blue carpets by Mini
The reg number is talking to Liz! Trimmings. Original clocks and instrument panel.^Investigations revealed
engine was originally green.NICK FROM MINIMINE
How do you feel about the rebuild?
We’re just pleased that we can get it
done on time. It’s been three years in
the planning!
What’s up next?
The wiring looms are the next job. It
had a really bad repair job at one
point in it history – it had even been
on fire at one point! But we’ve
sourced a new wiring loom, so that
goes in next.
Any problems?
We’ve had no problems at all with the
build, it’s just been the paint. We had
it sent away three times before we
were completely happy with the
finish. By the end of next year we will
have our own paint shop, we’re
getting a spray booth fitted. It will
make everything so much easier,
having that level of control.
What other work is going on here
right now?
We have seven or eight full restos on
the go at the moment, as well as your
usual prangs and cosmetic work.
What’s your favourite part of
restoring cars?
It’s always so nice when you get
them to fire up for the first time. We
haven’t heard this one yet, so I’m
looking forward to that.
What have you liked about
this project?
It’s nice to do jobs when they give
me full permission to do exactly what
needs to be done. Projects can easily
get spoilt by a limited budget, so I’m
enjoying the freedom of this one.
Anything that stands out?
I’ve never seen a car with that much
fibreglass in it. You’d think it was a
Robin Reliant!New wheel was a bargain buy.Everything has been cleaned and detailed.ON THE JOB
went green as that must have been the
original colour. It’s definitely the original
engine as we’ve checked it!
Have you got a name in mind?
Richard is a big James Bond fan, so he
called her Little Nellie. I haven’t decided
what I’ll call her yet... but the number plate
whispers Vicki Butler-Henderson at me...
What are your plans for after the project
is finished?
When it is finished we are going to take her
to the IMM! We’lldosomelocalshows,but
other than thatwe’lljustenjoytakingheron
days out – includinga triptoseeRichard.
We’re planningontakinghertoCastle
Coombe butnotonthetrack!We’venot
been on theparadewithanyofourother
Minis, but we’lldefinitelytakethisone!Do you haveanultimaterebuildproject?
This IS my ultimaterebuildproject.I think
Minis shouldbeforlife.I haveneversolda
car! Every carI everhad(andtheyhaveall
been Minis) Ihavekeptholdof.BODY: 1970 BlueRoyaleClubmanEstatewith
refurbished woodentrim.
ENGINE: Original1098ccengine(reconditioned
and painted greenasoriginal).
TRANSMISSION:
Standard four-speedremotegearbox.
SUSPENSION:Rubbercone.
BRAKES: Standarddrums.
WHEELS: Standard10swithchromestarhubcaps
and embellishers.Blockleytyres.
INTERIOR: Originalrearseats,frontseatcovers
by Newton Commercial(fittedbyMini
Trimmings). WedgwoodBluecarpetsbyMini
The reg number is talking to Liz! Trimmings. Originalclocksandinstrumentpanel.Investigations revealed
engine was originally green.NICK FROM MINIMINE
How do you feel about the rebuild?
We’re just pleased that we can get it
done on time. It’s been three years in
the planning!
What’s up next?
The wiring looms are the next job. It
had a really bad repair job at one
point in it history – it had even been
on fire at one point! But we’ve
sourced a new wiring loom, so that
goes in next.
Any problems?
We’ve had no problems at all with the
build, it’s just been the paint. We had
it sent away three times before we
were completely happy with the
finish. By the end of next year we will
have our own paint shop, we’re
getting a spray booth fitted. It will
make everything so much easier,
having that level of control.
What other work is going on here
right now?
We have seven or eight full restos on
the go at the moment, as well as your
usual prangs and cosmetic work.
What’s your favourite part of
restoring cars?
It’s always so nice when you get
them to fire up for the first time. We
haven’t heard this one yet, so I’m
looking forward to that.
What have you liked about
this project?
It’s nice to do jobs when they give
me full permission to do exactly what
needs to be done. Projects can easily
get spoilt by a limited budget, so I’m
enjoying the freedom of this one.
Anything that stands out?
I’ve never seen a car with that much
fibreglass in it. You’d think it was a
Robin Reliant!New wheel was a bargain buy.Everything has been cleaned and detailed.