Just to let you all know, the little mini has made its trip to Bli-Bli to get fixed up...won't be sleeping around any more.
Got in touch with an old guy who works on old cars, has done plenty of minis before and he is going to fix it up, does a damn good old school job. Was $2700 for paint and panel, including the new parts eg. mirror, guard etc he will also touch up some rust and paint in other areas as well. The mirror will also go in the correct spot since dad cocked it up last time and you couldn't see crap out of it...not that you need a mirror in a mini anyway.
Oh and insurance is paying for it all

is good to be old sometimes, I bet if it happened to a young person they would have taken you for a ride.
Will post pics up when it is all finished and back at home.
Cheers
Todd