Young man tracked down his grandfather's much-loved Mini after it'd been lost for decades and restored it to brand new condition
Published on Oct 16, 2025 at 9:14 PM (UTC-4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Oct 16, 2025 at 9:14 PM (UTC-4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
A young man tracked down his grandfather’s beloved Morris Mini that had been lost for decades in order to restore it.
Jamie Garrett tracked down his grandfather’s Morris Mini and brought it back to life in time for a car competition.
He had a big job on his hands with the restoration, which took years to complete.
But the end result was well worth the wait – the end result was beautiful.
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This Morris Mini was given a new lease of life after being lost for decades
This 1960 Mini has quite the legacy behind it.
In it, multiple people have learned to drive, and it’s been across France and Italy
It was a family car, purchased back in 1965 by Jamie’s grandfather, and was a family staple.
Jamie’s dad used it for work, but its days were numbered.
But rust had taken its toll by 1977, and it was off the road for decades.
In 1996, an attempted restoration didn’t go ahead, and the car ended up going to someone who never repaired.
Fast forward to 2019, and Jamie was able to get his hands on the Mini Morris.
Despite having no prior experience in car restoration, he got to work – and was met with something of an uphill struggle.
Working with specialists from the Real Mini Company, he restored the car to its former glory – all while keeping it a secret from his dad.
He unveiled it to his father in 2023, and left his dad overwhelmed with emotion.
Jamie’s grandfather even got a chance to see it.
“It was never this good!” he said, The Sun reported.
There’s an endorsement if we ever heard one.
The car has gone on to win multiple awards, including securing a third-place finish in the Pride of Ownership competition.
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Ben joined Supercar Blondie in February 2025 after being published by international organizations including LADbible, The Sun, the New York Post, and the Daily Mail. He covers supercars, rare and collectible vehicles, aviation, luxury assets, and the fascinating people behind them. His reporting has explored everything from seven-figure supercars and historic Ferrari collections to unusual aircraft adventures and extraordinary automotive discoveries from around the world. Ben has also gained first-hand insight into vehicle craftsmanship and customization, including visiting specialist workshops to see bespoke vehicles up close.
