I'm looking for a recommended quality paint and panel business in the Albury Wodonga or surrounding areas. Some rust repairs and a full respray in the existing colour of special burgandy on my quite original Mk1. Experience with Mini's would be great. I'm happy to travel but am trying to avoid going to Melbourne if possible, unless there is the "guru" in Melbourne.

Any suggestions ladies and gents?

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1969 Mk1 Cooper S - "Madge" (the plastic surgeon is calling....)
1970 Mk2 Cooper S - "Vinnie" (Almost there....almost there...)

I don't know anyone out there but if you do have to come to Melbourne I can recommend Bodymaster in Williamstown.

https://www.facebook.com/bodymasterau

He's just recently done some panel work and a partial respray on my clubbie. I was very happy with the quality of work.

Have a chat to Karl Richardson (KJR Coachbuilding) and the plater he uses is good (though check price first!) - Albury Electroplaters in Borella St...

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"Show me the Mini!"

Jimmy Brooks in Trafalgar St Wodonga is an artist, beautiful work

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

Simon,

Does Jimmy Brooks have a business name?

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1969 Mk1 Cooper S - "Madge" (the plastic surgeon is calling....)
1970 Mk2 Cooper S - "Vinnie" (Almost there....almost there...)

don't think so, or if he does I don't know it. He doesn't advertise, just works out of a shed in Trafalgar st with no signage except a little wood sign saying BROOKS. And don't go into Brooks Motors in Melbourne Rd, that's his brother and they don't get along

he used to own a massive panel & custom shop in Los Angeles and moved back here a while ago

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

Thanks Simon. I'll chase this up.....

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1969 Mk1 Cooper S - "Madge" (the plastic surgeon is calling....)
1970 Mk2 Cooper S - "Vinnie" (Almost there....almost there...)

I called into KJR Coachbuilding in Albury and had a chat with Karl. A very impressive workshop and old school workmanship on some fantastic classics. Restoration, fabrication and a passion for the old classics. He's going to make a house call and see what I have. He told me he won't do half a job and there are no short cuts so please don't ask him to as he values his reputation. Very knowledgable about Mini's and also has some great contacts for other local old school craftsmen. Haven't had a discussion about costs.....bit scared about that.....

I'm just a little excited at the prospects...... Now what do I have to sell to fund this?

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1969 Mk1 Cooper S - "Madge" (the plastic surgeon is calling....)
1970 Mk2 Cooper S - "Vinnie" (Almost there....almost there...)

Kidneys are worth good money, but I'd just sell one !

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Find a job you love and you will never have to go to work !

Good to here...AFAIK he does good work...whether he knows all the intricacies of Mini bodywork is another matter (but you have Sime locally who might translate for you if you asked him nicely)...

ask Karl if has done any before and ask him to ballpark the cost (he will probably quote an hourly rate but try and get a firm estimate of time). Of course, if you can get a firm price that is acceptable, all well and good.

Hope it all goes well...let us know how it turns out

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"Show me the Mini!"

He does have a connection with minis - another fella named Steve Ortlip used to work out of the front half of the same shed and he did a couple of minis that are a bit famous in local circles for their body & paint workmanship. Steve's brother Greg has a MK1 S, a GT and a clubby van.

I've seen a couple other cars Karl has done that've been lovely, but I'd be really really scared of what it'll cost

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

Thanks Sime...can't beat local knowledge

As for being expensive, from my chats with Karl...I would say, wait and see.

There is a big difference between someone asking for a concourse restoration for an expensive vintage or veteran where parts are unobtainable and need to be manufactured and someone asking for a good job on something like a Mini that was mass-produced and parts are relatively "plentiful".

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"Show me the Mini!"

yeah, for sure, talk to him and get a guestimate - and my idea of scary might be very different to Wazza's - especially considering he's just bought a restored MK2

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

Thanks for the info guys and your bouncing of ideas particularly about costs. After Karl has a look, we'll talk about plans and costs etc. you've given me some great pointers about this whole process. In the interim, does any one want to buy a kidney? Used but in reasonable nick for its age....?

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1969 Mk1 Cooper S - "Madge" (the plastic surgeon is calling....)
1970 Mk2 Cooper S - "Vinnie" (Almost there....almost there...)

Left or Right

[good luck with your resto]

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"Show me the Mini!"