UNDER THE INFLUENCE

James Russell's Mini adventure started whilst having a few bevvies at Neal Goldspring's house. Neal is James' girlfriend Charlotte's dad. He is no stranger to the Mini scene and has recently started up a Mini restoration business called NG Mini Repairs and Restoration using his knowledge and passion for the Mini. "This was three or four year ago,” explains James. "I said I was going to buy a Mini. Charlotte always wanted one. Neal said that, as there are so many Minis out there that are bodged up, the best thing to do is build one from scratch so we did. At the time it wasn't something I was into but, now I've got a Mini, I can't get enough of the things.” With Neal's contacts he had the ideal Mini to start the project, which was sourced via a friend, as James explains: "The 1996 SPi was quite cheap as it had had a meeting with a lamp post. We went for it.”