My vote for full resto would be nick upton at boot2bonnett.  NOT Heritage Garage.. and you know spending six figures to restore a mini or moke. just plain Stupid in my book.. later PHD..

Heritage Garage is one of the premier restoration shops on the west coast. Graham Reid is a good guy and super knowledgeable in the Mini world.

Like all shops, he will have his detractors. As stated elsewhere, these full on restoration shops will charge a pretty penny for a complete restoration. One of Graham's 10 yr old restorations won the "All Things Mini" class at last year's prestigious event during Monterey Car Week called "The Quail". Yes it was a ten year old restoration and looked great, alongside another Graham resto owned by the same guy, but in speaking to the owner, I found out it is a museum car so it is rarely driven at all. I attached a pic I took of that winner.

Another shop up in northern California, Boot2Bonnet Restoration, owned by McPherson College alum Nicholas Upton has done a number of full on concours-quality restorations for a customer who lives in North Carolina. Each of those surpassed the 6 figure mark. Both Nick and Graham have multi-year waiting lists of clients so they're not out there looking for new jobs. There are other high quality restorers all across the US and Canada.

Personally not a fan. I purchase a Mini from him several years back. I made the mistake of not driving it before I purchased it because it had some body damage, otherwise it looked good and had several engine upgrades. Graham told me it was one of his mechanics favorite Minis to drive. Heritage pulled the engine, I had the body work done and had the body repainted in and out. Heritage put the engine back in and I picked it up. I told him I didn't think it drove very well- bumpy and a little sluggish. I mentioned it to Graham and he said "I'm not married to the car." When making a follow up call or two I pretty much got the cold shoulder.

Yes, my bad for not driving the car ahead of time. I had owned a few Minis before that so I was familiar with the "Mini ride". My expectations were too high, but I think Graham's attitude was very poor.

And to you Sir! Good to know you still have the bug!

Compliments of the season Sir. I am still in Nigeria. I'm searching for a Mini. Again.

Quicksilver!!!

Good to see you drop by.
Are you still in Nigeria?
Is the Mini disease flaring up in you?

Tons of purchases over the years from HG. Hope you got it sorted with Graham because he's truly an encyclopedia on Minis and a good guy

Nice shop, and Graham's a good guy, knows his Minis

Picked this up in 2012 from his shop in 2012

Rosebud I have visited Heritage garage in Costa Mesa last month, get excellent advice about my Classic Mini ,Heritage garage owner let me check cars in garage and work what they have done on current customers Minis inside (for hours). Exceptional humble and great person (owner),my advice for your friend is to personally visit place and talk with people there .They have enough parking place in front of the store. Pred Paul

I have had experience with Heritage Garage in Costa Mesa. I took my 1972 Moke there two times and they are absolute professionals and  experienced. The owner couldn't have been nicer and prices are very reasonable. This is the only place I would ever take my Moke to. Jay Leno is friends with the owner and has been on his show Jay Leno's Garage.  Parking there is pretty limited, Good luck.

rosebud. I think I would tell  your friend to look elsewhere  for his dream  car..  Cheers PHD.

Thanks for all the replies. That was my take too—busy, a little cranky, but top-notch work. I'll let you know how this plays out.

rosebud.  think the word for Graham would be Curmudgeon   .... PHD

Graham can be quite brusk at times, and he's been in the business long enough to not need to chase down a customer. 


So if this is your friend's first time working with Graham, know that it may take some effort to get his full attention and with his guard down. But the work and cars that come out of his shop are top notch.

Rosebud.. I just looked at Grahams website at www.heritagegarage.com and I do NOT see any minis or mokes for sale??  did I miss somthing?? cheers PHD>.

rosebud.. my guess Graham is just super busy doing resto work.. I heard he gets $80 large now to do classic mini pick now plus the cost of the donor pick up..  but he does excellent work..  I also Hate texts and emails on cars.. I bet if you show up with CASH in hand..  it will be whole different tune..   cheers PHD.

Has anyone had any experience with Heritage Garage in Costa Mesa, CA? I have a friend who is interested in a couple of Minis on Heritage’s website. He’s a serious buyer but he’s getting a chilly response from Heritage when he attempted to get further information on these cars. Any thoughts?