Hey all,

I was hoping that i could get some reccomendations for people to speak to regarding rust repairs on my newly aquired mini. One section is considerably bad and is not within my capabilities to repair. When i bought the car, the seller was kind enough to supply replacement panels from a donor car. The replacement panels will cover the repairs needed. Refer to image below, I guess what i am afteris:

Contact details for someone (Geelong or West Melbourne region) who can get the old rust cut out and new panels welded in. I am happly to handle the finishing work (prep and paint) on the panels.

An idea of what this cut and wled should cost me?

As always, all help is greatly appreciated.



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I'm guaranteed to break something every time, but there's nothing like getting under the bonnet and having a go!

Apart from A-grade panels, is there any other mini friendly panel beaters that someone could suggest?

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I'm guaranteed to break something every time, but there's nothing like getting under the bonnet and having a go!

Do A grade still do body work? or just sell parts? My mate had his mini fully restored and painted in Airport West if that is any good to you. Let me know if you want the details. Here is the work he did.

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Flute - 68 MK I Cooper S
Member: VMCI #2474
Member: International Mini Model Collectors Club

Sounds good, please PM me the details.

Im not after a full resto, just a cut out and weld. I am looking forward to doing the finishing work myself, i just cant weld nor have the place to do it. Thanks again for the info!

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I'm guaranteed to break something every time, but there's nothing like getting under the bonnet and having a go!

A Grade is now a Canberra based parts supplier

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'62 Morris 850 (Marion)
'65 Mini Delux - sleeper 1275/S discs (Ms Plum)
'69 Vanden Plas Princess 1300
'71 Wolseley 1300
'74 Austin 1300 Countryman
'94 XJ6 Sport 3.2
'04 Rover 75 CDTi

No worries, give me a day or two to get the details and I will PM you. I haven't been there myself but will definitely be talking to them when the time comes for my resto.

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Flute - 68 MK I Cooper S
Member: VMCI #2474
Member: International Mini Model Collectors Club

Sorry for late reply, been busy building a house. I found the card and will call him tomorrow to make sure it is the same bloke and that he can still do minis. I tried calling just then but they have knocked off.

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Flute - 68 MK I Cooper S
Member: VMCI #2474
Member: International Mini Model Collectors Club

Thanks for your efforst, much appreciated.

Looking forward to getting the details if he is interested in the job

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I'm guaranteed to break something every time, but there's nothing like getting under the bonnet and having a go!

No worries, I don't mind giving you the details now, it's just that I thought I would make sure he is still there first and I also want to speak to my mate to see how much metal work he actually had done so we know if this guy will be what we all need. I should have all that by tomorrow.

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Flute - 68 MK I Cooper S
Member: VMCI #2474
Member: International Mini Model Collectors Club

A grade panels does still exist in the same building in Heidelberg and the new owner Jeff will be happy to work on your mini. Brenton the original owner moved on to selling mini parts from home and the last I heard he was selling up and moving on.

A Grade Panels. Ph 94595520.

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Have a Nice Day.
If already having a nice day please disregard.

Yep, Geoff Burgess. He did my Cooper S a treat. Brilliant workmanship. Cannot be faulted for a quality finish.
No shite, you get want you pay for.

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1964 Cooper UK 970 S 'CZ 4289'

Still waiting on a call back, it will be tomorrow now sorry. Would be good to talk to the one above as well I think.

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Flute - 68 MK I Cooper S
Member: VMCI #2474
Member: International Mini Model Collectors Club

Just spoke to Steven Gaut of Melrose Panels, 27 Moore Road, Airport West, 9338 0633. He did the mini pictured above and is happy to do more minis. Don't ask me what that one cost and Steven said he likes to go back to bare metal with bead or soda blasting. Not sure if he meant for full restos or minor repairs but you can discuss that with him if you want. I'm not saying this guy is the only or best in the area but I just know the car my mate had done came up really well and he was keen enough to do it well. I hope this helps.

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Flute - 68 MK I Cooper S
Member: VMCI #2474
Member: International Mini Model Collectors Club

Just thought i would give an update to this thread. Based on the contact details provided by Flute, i had contacted and taken my mini to see Steve at Melrose Panels.

The service that i received at Melrose Panels is second to none! Steve was extremly accommodating and did the work to my mini exactly as requested and then some. Steve runs a very professional operation and was very mini friendly. Not only that but was able to do the work at a very good price. If i ever need additional panel work on my mini, he will be the first and only port of call.

Thanks again Flute for the heads up, and i recomend this panel shop to anyone.

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I'm guaranteed to break something every time, but there's nothing like getting under the bonnet and having a go!