Welcome to project Daisy. Daisy is a 1988 Mini Designer.

Mini Designer background

The Mini designer is a Limited Edition Mini that was designed by English fashion designer and fashion icon Mary Quant. There were 2000 made, 1000 in white and 1000 in black, it is thought there are less than 400 on the road currently, although I haven't seen any particular resource to back this up.

The Designer is based on a Mini City, but with tinted windows, black and white striped seats, leather steering wheel (with Mary Quant Daisy), Nimbus grey trim and 'Designer' decals with coach lines.

Daisy

Daisy is a July registered 1988 Mini Designer. I bought it from eBay and was delivered on 09/11/2018. I had been looking for a project mini for a few years but the auctions either went too high or just didn't meet what I was after. I was initially after a Mk2 mini but lacking the skills needed I didn't think I would such a classic car justice. Then I saw a completely original Mini Designer in white. My first car on the road after passing my test back in 2001 was a black Mini Designer, I did do quite a few modifications which robbed it of its designer looks, but I was young...

So with the car spotted on eBay I set it to watch and stupidly with only a few hours to go and not asking any questions, with just a few photos I put on a bid. As the seconds ticked down the price jumped a bit but I had won the Auction for £770. Ah... I now own a mini again... yey.... oh crap... I hope it doesn’t need that much work... I then put an advert out on shiply to get the car collected (£202) and on the 9th November 2018 at 23:10 (yes... 11pm) the car turned up.

First Impressions

Oh Crap.

Second impressions

Bloody hell its worse

I then shut the garage door and left it until a proper inspection the following day, yeah as if more light would make it seem better.

Next Day

Oh dear god. What have I done? Let’s just say the photos looked rough, in person it was a lot worse. I can’t blame the seller as I asked no questions, like is there any metal still attached to the underside of the car.

So after an inspection and removing the interior there is a whole lot of work to be done. But I was after a project and an opportunity to learn new skills. My dad and I have built rally cars and repaired my old mini and my dad spent most of his youth repairing and modding minis so we should have it covered. And well, I'm a Mini owner again.

Daisy??

She is project daisy as when I was looking through the bits and bobs that came with the car it had a brand new registration plate with 'Daisy' at the bottom. Then going through the file of history that came with the car it had 'battery guarantee for Daisy' - So Daisy it is, I assume she was named that by her previous owner due to the Mary Quant Daisy on the steering wheel and bonnet badge.

I know what your thinking; Re-shell. Well where would the fun be in that? The panels are cheap enough, my time costs nothing and hopefully the end result will be worth it.... And yes she will be 100% original.