Apprentices restore classic Mini for TV

22 February 2022  

British Motor Heritage recently provided a tour of its Witney factory to a group of apprentices from the Brooklands-based Heritage Skills Academy (HSA) who have been restoring a classic Mini under the glare of TV lights.

The company also helped with the jigging of the new panels, which it also discounted for the cause. The Mini being restored is owned by Rob Pike. As well as bringing the car back from corrosive oblivion, the apprentices are converting the car from MKV to MKI Cooper specification.

The project has been filmed by Middlechild TV, the result of which is being aired on television channel Yesterday as part of the Secrets of the Transport Museum series.

The HSA operates a 42-month block release apprenticeship in the traditional coachbuilding skills required by the classic car industry. Development Director Owain Johns commented: “The coachwork and related mechanical course were established in direct response to the demands of the industry, and among the current crop of 150 apprentices we have representatives of such well-known classic car businesses as, Bristol Classic Car Restoration, Electrogenic, Lunaz, and Richards of England. The companies are great believers in what we are doing, and the apprentices love switching between their day jobs and the practical form of education we supply. It’s a win-win situation.”

BMH Managing Director Graham Payne added: “We were very impressed by the apprentices when they visited our factory. So much so that we are seeking one of our own, and will certainly continue to aid the HSA in any way we can, as it is providing an excellent and much-needed service to our industry.”

More information on British Motor Heritage is available at: www.bmh-ltd.com

For more on the HSA apprenticeships, visit: www.heritageskillsacademy.co.uk