History
Kandi
What started out as a simple just cut the rust out and give her a clean paint job, turned into an 18-month bare metal, full nut and bolt rebuild with a lot of body mods. Gary Stockton was the man on the welder who made the impossible possible, by firstly de-seaming, then changing the front indicators and park lights to LED, then the placement of the brake booster under the wheel well. Next was to smooth out and de-hole the engine bay, followed by moulding the flares into the body for a smooth all-round look. Which took us to the back, I always wanted a smooth rear end, and now I have one, reshaping the rear with a custom plate stamped just enough for the number plate to sit in, combining that with Gary’s work in deleting the fuel tank filler, and a change in tail lights and it was smooth. After all the body work was done, it was ready for the magic hand or Peter Bowen and his spray gun. Kandi originally had a white roof, and Peter asked me if I wanted to change it up and make it modern and different, yet still classic. And this is the end result. A special one of kind Candy Red and Grey Mini, called Kandi. Peter even went the extra steps and did the grille badge and organised the other “Kandi” features. Next was the interior done by Trevor Hoole, who did an awesome job with his red stitching to ensure the finish was also at the next level. The machinal work was done by myself with help of my Dad in the electronics, and a tune up and going over by Matt Read from Read Speed. The engine is a 1275, with all the bells and whistles, the major difference is popping out of the hood, I am running a DCD 28/36 Webber, being a twin barrel downdraft Webber it needed to breath, and so I gave it a little help with catching the air. Although moments in the rebuild were tough and frustrating, and I think my wife and kids thought I had moved to Peter’s house for good, it was an awesome time, with some really awesome and gifted guys. As a kid I always wanted a candy apple red Mini, now thanks to some friends and a lot of hard work, that dream has come true, meet my Kandi.
Modifications
Deseamed, LED park lights, custom gauges, deleted fuel filler, custom stereo, custom interior, moulded flares, worked engine, custom paint, to name a few mods.
