0:00
When I built mini car, people thought I was nuts
0:05
This car is such a unique car and it's got a lot of history and it's been an honour to restore this car back to his former glory
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Today is a great gathering of lots of mini fans and it's great just to get together and go and see what other people are doing
0:24
just generally be held to chat about minis all day. Driving minis is just an addiction
0:29
Absolute addiction. There's one car at this mini convention that's getting a lot more attention than the others
0:35
for being more mini than the rest. This is the Mini Haha, an infamous mini customisation
0:43
created over 35 years ago. I did the original build with Mini Haha back in 1983
0:52
Mini Haha came about when I was at school. There was a group of four or five of us
0:56
and we were all into cars, and I just knew that this had to be built
1:01
I was 19 when I built this. I built a car to use every day, which was its purpose
1:05
I was very new to it. It's had all the bumper brackets removed all they ran
1:10
The boot lip was welded into the panel. This section here is the section that holds the rear subsframe
1:15
So when I cut it in half, it was basically, it was cut into three
1:20
It was cut there, and then the two foot seven was taken out
1:23
and then this was the second cut line. It is so strong. Like it's coming up to 40 years old now, it's so strong
1:29
After building the mini-haha back in the 80s, the car was sold on and made its own journey
1:35
leaving it in a rather unfortunate state. Andy sold a car museum in Port Rush called Motor World
1:43
That closed down and then it changed hands three or four different times before I came across the car Luckily it was rescued bought and repaired by a new owner This car is such a unique car and it got a lot of history and it been an honour to
1:58
restore this car back to its former glory. With no expenses spared, Andy worked tirelessly to restore the car
2:05
Whenever I first bought the car, it was not in good condition. The body shell was okay, but it just was a rolling chassis, two subframes, no glass
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no interior, no engine. It was going to be quite a challenge. the shell itself was in really good condition
2:20
So, strip the car down to a bare shell, sprayed the car, put it all back together again
2:26
It wasn't really well. As far as the restoration goes on how much it cost
2:30
I have no idea because it didn't keep the cost. I just wanted to restore the car gradually
2:35
So I had no idea what it cost. No idea. And his work has paid off as the mini-haha is still as popular as ever
2:43
I think it's just... The pull is good. It's the size of it
2:49
It's just an amazing piece to look at. Nothing compares to this. Anybody that sees many ha-ha
2:55
always brings a smile to their face and really that makes me so proud and happy
3:00
It's a fantastic two-seater. Get smiles every time it's out on the road
3:05
which is what it's all about. It's an absolute pleasure for us to have it here on display
3:10
Seeing it like this now as restored is it cheers me up no end
3:16
To think, like I say, someone values my work and my design enough to actually restore it
3:22
My long-term plans for many ha-ha is to let as many people see it as possible
3:26
because it's been lost for so many years. This is the ultimate small car because it's the first
3:32
the original and the best
