Skin Deep
MiniWorld|December 2019
Scott Whitmore raced Mini Stox from the age of 10 and bought his first road Mini at 14. He already knew he was going to work in car body restoration. Just as well really...
Monty Watkins
Skin Deep

Probably the final frontier for any Mini owner in the modern era is to learn body repair or restoration. Few of us have grasped the ancient mysteries of Mini spot-welding. Dabbling with seam- or butt-welding is a great way to make a million jagged holes in perfectly good panels. Traditionally, we will pay to have it done, buy a new shell (if available) or send another Mini off for scrap.

Thankfully, Mini values for all models are still on the rise so it is not extravagant to spend more on restoration or repair. Despite that, there are still some Minis which cannot be re-shelled and which depend on the patience and experience of a skilled sheet metal practitioner. The late model Mini Van seen here would certainly have gone for scrap had it not come into the hands of someone like Scott, back in 2011.

“My first car was a Mini and I bought it when I was 14 years old, as a small project to start learning and practice the trade of body and restoration work, which is what I wanted to get into." So Scott became a car body expert. “I was self-employed, working for different companies on everything from Mini, Beetle, Rolls Royce, Jaguar E-type, Porsche and American cars. Smokey and the Bandit and the original Mad Max were my favourite films so, if I could ever afford to, I’d love to own either the Mad Max Interceptor or the Bandit’s Trans-Am. I do love classic cars and love Minis over them all. Since finishing my Van I am now always making sure it’s covered up and noone’s been messing with it and making sure it’s always cleaned and polished.

This story is from the December 2019 edition of MiniWorld.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 2019 edition of MiniWorld.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM MINIWORLDView All
Skin Deep
MiniWorld

Skin Deep

Scott Whitmore raced Mini Stox from the age of 10 and bought his first road Mini at 14. He already knew he was going to work in car body restoration. Just as well really...

time-read
7 mins  |
December 2019
Master Class
MiniWorld

Master Class

Back when concours restos were on the fringe of the mainstream scene, Roy Gudge joined a small band of visionaries who made their Mini Coopers better than new. He tells us about his stunning twice-restored 998cc Mk2 Cooper.

time-read
10+ mins  |
December 2019
Weekend Warrior
MiniWorld

Weekend Warrior

This early Clubman was destined for a tough dual-purpose life as a daily driver and international competition car but a thorough restoration has given it a surprising third role, as a prize-winning show car.

time-read
10 mins  |
November 2019
Tyred & Tested
MiniWorld

Tyred & Tested

Martin Hockley took what was a relatively plain-looking Mini Van and turned it into an eye-catching homage to a great British brand.

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2019
The Italian Job 50th Anniversary With Art
MiniWorld

The Italian Job 50th Anniversary With Art

Bex Celebrates The Iconic Italian Job Anniversary With Her Exclusive Signed Artworks.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2019
Mothballed Revival
MiniWorld

Mothballed Revival

Even though Michael Gill’s humble 1972 Austin Mini 1000 had been unused for eight years when he bought it back in 2015, it still required a thorough restoration.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2019
A Mini Addiction
MiniWorld

A Mini Addiction

Gary Pearson, of SELKent Mini Club, is a self-confessed Miniholic…

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2017
Rylstone Classic
MiniWorld

Rylstone Classic

Rylstone Classic

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2017
Goodwood Revival
MiniWorld

Goodwood Revival

Goodwood Revival

time-read
1 min  |
November 2017
Legendary Grand Tour
MiniWorld

Legendary Grand Tour

Legendary Grand Tour

time-read
1 min  |
November 2017