The Story of a 1999 Mini Balmoral restoration
/A Heartfelt Restoration
At The Real Mini Company, we take great pride in breathing new life into classic Minis, each with its unique history and sentimental value. Today, we’re excited to share the story of a very special restoration: a 1999 Mini Balmoral, once the pride and joy of John’s late mother.
John reached out to us a year after his mother's passing, eager to restore her cherished Mini Rover. “My mother bought the Mini new in 1999 in West London. It was, as you’ll know, one of the last production runs of classic Minis. Mum loved the Mini but stopped being able to drive, and it deteriorated.”
In December 2022, we embarked on the Balmoral’s journey. Tucked away in an overgrown front garden, the abandoned Mini awaited its revival. We carefully towed it from its resting place and secured it in our enclosed trailer, transporting it to our workshop where it would await its transformation.
By June 2023, we began the meticulous process of restoring the bodyshell. The Mini was stripped and spot blasted to reveal the extent of rust damage. With patience and precision, we salvaged and repaired panels wherever possible, and replaced others with genuine Heritage panels.
After three months of dedicated work, it was time to paint the Balmoral in its original silver and commence the rebuilding process. Simultaneously, we undertook the task of rebuilding the engine. The interior received special attention as well; the iconic red carpet was laid down, and the Burberry-style seats were carefully repaired, hand-washed, and reinstalled. One of the standout features, the signature walnut dash, was replaced with a beautifully hydro-dipped alternative by Aqua Graphix, adding a modern twist to a classic look.
Before reuniting the Mini with John, it underwent a thorough MOT to ensure everything was in perfect working order. John’s reaction to seeing the restored Balmoral was priceless; to say he was over-the-moon is an understatement.
After a successful return for its 250-mile oil change, which included a free nut & bolt check and suspension grease, the Mini Balmoral was ready for its next adventure. John is now preparing for a heartfelt road trip to St. Andrews, his mother’s hometown. The Mini will travel 450 miles to Scotland in her memory, with many friends and family members eager to join the journey.
“The back seat may be a little over crowded” said John.
At The Real Mini Company, we are passionate about restoring classic Minis and helping owners create new memories. If you have a classic Mini with sentimental value that needs restoring, give us a call. We would love to help you bring it back to its former glory and create a story of your own.
