I tracked down my grandfather's Mini after it'd been lost for DECADES – I restored & now it's worth over £12,000
LIKE NEW I tracked down my grandfather's Mini after it'd been lost for DECADES – I restored & now it's worth over £12,000
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
A CLASSIC car enthusiast has shared the heartwarming story of his Morris Mini, a cherished family heirloom that has been passed down through four generations.
Jamie Garrett, from Oxfordshire, was recently named a runner-up in Lancaster Insurance's prestigious Pride of Ownership award for 2025, after showcasing his beautifully restored and much-loved classic car.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
5
Jamie Garrett's restored Morris Mini is a cherished family heirloom spanning generations
Credit: Lancaster Insurance
5
The lost Morris Mini was re-discovered and returned to life as Jamie surprised his father with a stunning restoration
Credit: Lancaster Insurance
5
The car has earned the runner-up spot at Lancaster Insurance's Pride of Ownership award
Credit: Lancaster Insurance
5
The Mini's shell was restored by a skilled panel expert from the Real Mini Company
Credit: Lancaster Insurance
5
Found in 2019, the project took years to complete
Credit: Lancaster Insurance
Speaking to the classic car experts at Lancaster Insurance, Jamie revealed the iconic little motor was originally purchased by his grandfather in 1965 and became an integral part of the family's life.
Indeed, it was used for everything from summer holidays in France and Italy to teaching multiple family members, including Jamie's father, how to drive.
The car later served as Jamie's father's work vehicle - before rust claimed it in 1977, rendering it undrivable and leaving it off the road for decades.
In 1996, an attempt was made to restore the Mini but the project stalled and the car was eventually given away.
For years, it was thought to be lost forever - until Jamie tracked it down in 2019.
Against all odds, he bought the car back and embarked on the ambitious task of restoring it to its former glory - despite having no prior experience in car restoration.
As expected, Jamie faced numerous challenges, including a failed initial attempt, but his determination never wavered and by working with specialists, including a skilled panel expert from the Real Mini Company, the Mini's shell was brought back to life.
Better yet, Jamie decided to keep the restoration project a secret from his father until 2023, when he unveiled the fully restored Mini as a surprise - leaving his father overwhelmed with emotion.
Together, they worked on the final touches before taking the car for its first drive to visit Jamie's grandfather, who apparently, when he first saw it, said: 'It was never this good!'
Speaking to Lancaster Insurance, Jamie said: 'As a family we are immensely proud of the car, and the story that goes with it makes it even more special and brings joy to everyone that meets her.
The first-ever all-electric MINI JCW Aceman
'She will live on as a lasting memory of my grandparents who are now no longer with us.'
The motor now serves as both a functional car and a showpiece - regularly appearing at various events.
Lancaster's Pride of Ownership award, as voted for by classic car enthusiasts, recognises not only craftsmanship and dedication.
Yvonne Gosney, the firm's Senior Trading Manager, said: 'The work Jamie has completed on this Mini is nothing short of exceptional, and we congratulate him on his deserving podium position in this year's Pride of Ownership.
'Jamie's Mini is a powerful reminder of how classic car restoration can be about more than just metal - it can bring a family's history back to life.'
The Morris Mini has become a favourite among classic car enthusiasts and has risen in price in recent years - with the median price, according to the Classic Valuer, being £13,616.
A quick scan through classic car listings, like the ones on Cars & Classics, found Morris Minis relatively common and varying in price, although ones from the early 1960s generally seem to sell for £12,000.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
9 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Huge blaze breaks out at factory with 100 firefighters raced to scene & thick plumes of smoke billowing through sky
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) OVER 100 firefighters are tackling a massive blaze that has engulfed a factory in Birmingham. Witnesses reported spotting huge plumes of smoke billowing from the four factory units on Great Bridge Street in Great Bridge at around 10.40am today. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Great Bridge Street was closed after a huge fire broke out at a block of factory units Credit: WBFS West Midlands Fire Service sent 19 fire engines plus specialist vehicles and crews to the scene to battle the blaze. The plumes of smoke have reportedly been seen 15 miles away from Birmingham. Members of the public are being told to avoid the area and several homes nearby have been evacuated. There have been no reported casualties. A West Midlands Fire Service spokesperson said: "We have 15 crews in attendance at Great Bridge Street, Great Bridge, where they have responded to a Factory Fire. "Please avoid the area, where possible." At 5.30pm the fire service took to X to provide an update on the roaring fire. "Crews remain at Great Bridge St, West Brom tackling a fire involving tyres in a factory. "Please keep doors and windows closed if you live nearby, due to smoke. Avoid the area where possible; multiple road closures are in place." They said the four factories have all been affected, including a large supply of tyres. 2 Thick black smoke has filled the sky and can be seen from 15 miles away Credit: WBFS More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
Scottish Sun
13 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
‘Now you're quiet' – Nico Rosberg in frosty exchange with Jos Verstappen over Christian Horner after Red Bull sacking
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NICO ROSBERG and Jos Verstappen shared a frosty exchange over Christian Horner's Red Bull sacking. Horner was axed as Red Bull team principal last week following a string of woeful results at the team. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Martin Brundle, Jos Verstappen and Nico Rosberg It also came amid rumoured friction between Horner and Max Verstappen's dad Jos. Jos - who raced professionally from 1994-2003 - was probed about Horner's exit by Martin Brundle at the Belgian GP. Brundle asked: "Big changes in the team. Are you and Max and everybody happy with where it's going so far?" Jos replied: "Well, they decided to change so I'm fine with everything. So as long as it works." READ MORE IN F1 NOT LEW-KING GOOD Lewis Hamilton slapped with 60-place penalty at F1 Belgian Grand Prix Former F1 champion Rosberg, working for Sky Sports, awkwardly gatecrashed the interview. And he told Jos: "Last year, you said Horner needs to go!" Jos replied: "That was one and a half year ago. It's different. I have nothing to say. It's fine." Rosberg then added: "Now you're quiet?" Jos responded: "I'm always quiet." Reigning world champ Verstappen still has three years left on his Red Bull deal but remains linked with a move to Mercedes. Christian Horner 'in tears' during farewell speech to Red Bull employees as sacked boss admits decision came as 'shock' But the Dutchman insisted Horner's exit will have no bearing on his future with Red Bull. He said: "No, it doesn't really. Now, I think people can have a difference of opinion here and then. "And I actually expect that to happen because if everyone always agrees, there is a problem. You need to have difference of opinions. "And yeah, that's now something that we work with in a different direction. I'm excited about it. "Like you said, I don't think it will matter at all for my decision in the future. "And yet, the only thing that matters is that we work on the car and make it as fast as we can make it, really. "And like I said, the last one and a half years have not been what we want to be. "Now we try and be more competitive this year a little bit, but for sure also with the new regulations."
Scottish Sun
13 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
First look at Donald Trump's armoured golf buggy on Turnberry course with Secret Service snipers watching on
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DONALD Trump took to his five-star golf course just over a year after he survived an assassination attempt - and was followed by an armour-plated buggy. The US president, 79, was trailed by the reinforced all-black cart which can reach speeds of up to 65mph as he played a round at Turnberry in Ayrshire. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Donald Trump is enjoying a round at Turnberry during his visit to Scotland Credit: Reuters 5 The £20,000 cart can hit speeds of 65mph and has been adapted with toughened windows, reinforced panels Credit: TOM FARMER 5 The armoured cart and 26 others followed Trump around the course Credit: Robert Perry/PA Wire He was watched by Secret Service agents and snipers 12 months after he was shot in the ear at a rally. The fortified £20,000 Polaris has been fitted with hardened tinted windows and side panels. A source told The Scottish Sun: 'Trump was zipping between holes on a regular cart with this huge thing following behind. 'His bodyguards were staying close and were ready to zoom off if he had to dive in. 'The cart is an amazing bit of kit. 'It has massive chunky tyres, what looked like a winch on the front and even has space at the back for his clubs. 'Americans love their motors and Trump seems no different — this thing was bigger than some of the compact cars you see on the road here.' The visiting leader took to the historic course yesterday after jetting in the evening before. He is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, First Minister John Swinney and tour his Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire. He was back out for another round this morning against middle son Eric, 41, as eldest lad Don Jr, 47, and his wife Vanessa, 47, watched on. First look at Donald Trump's armoured motorcade 'the Beast' as President whisked off to Turnberry Trump blew kisses to a handful of supporters who yelled 'we love you' as he teed off for the second time during his five-day trip to Scotland. He wore a white USA baseball cap and black jacket and drove between holes in a white buggy — while followed by the armoured cart and 26 others. The president is expected to meet with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen today, with discussions with Mr Starmer and Mr Swinney due to take place before he flies home on Tuesday. A US government spokesman said: 'The US Secret Service employs a variety of tools and resources to safeguard our protectees. 'In order to maintain operational security, the Secret Service does not discuss the specific means and methods used to conduct our protective operations.' 5 Marksman teams have been deployed to keep the area secure Credit: Getty 5 British soldiers and cops have been deployed alongside US Secret Service agents to protect the visiting president Protection teams are on high alert after Trump was left wounded when a would-be assassins bullet nicked his ear as he spoke at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July last year. Shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, fired off eight shots from an assault rifle before he was taken out. The American commander and chief escaped a second attempt on his life just two months later when an armed man was discovered hiding in bushes at his Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach in Florida. Ryan Wesley Routh, 59, was arrested and is expected to go on trial later this year accused of trying to murder the then presidential election candidate.
