It’s a Mini Miracle... family motor gets a major makeover

An Athboy man who restored an original red Mini that had been left in a shed for almost 30 years says he has become known as Mr Bean around the area!

Francis Smith (27) from Dressogue between Dunderry and Athboy got the idea to breath new life into the 1983 Austin 850 Mini that had been lying dormant since the mid-90s when lockdown afforded him some spare time to work on the now collector’s item.

He said: “In March 2020 in the depths of lockdown myself and brother decided to take the mini out of the shed and that’s where it began, I did a few things with it and sent it away in December 2020 to be restored in Westmeath.

Francis and mother Marie before the restoration work started on their beloved Mini.

“The head gasket was gone and most of the parts seized so the list of things to be done was endless.

“I did all of my business with Galway Mini Centre. The interior was upholstered by Veronica Kane, the head gasket was done by Dan Daly Engines Dunshaughlin and and rest was done by Davey O’Connor, Rathowen. Amazingly after 26 years lying in a shed the engine did not seize.

Marie Smith with Fiona Mullen, Francis Smith, and Fiona Mullen and Orla O'Connell

“I brought it out for the first journey last week and it was just amazing, it’s a real head turner.

“Back in the 80s they were plentiful and not appreciated but as time goes on, they are a rarity. We had a homecoming for it last Saturday where 40 friends gathered to welcome her home.

“I’ve become known as as the Mr Bean of Athboy but I don’t mind it’s all a bit of fun!”

Francis, who documented the restoration process via his Facebook blog ‘One Man and his Mini’, says he was adamant he was going to restore the car as near to the original model as possible.

“It has a full new interior, new bumper and new headlights. I kept the original features, I didn’t modify it in any way at all it even has the original Jet Oil Up Meath GAA sticker and a sticker from Kerr’s Garage in Athboy, where it was bought.”

Explaining how the car ended up out of action for so long Francis said: “My father and my uncle were both hauliers with lorries and we had one family car and my father used to be going to the docks with the car, and my mother was always left with no car for bringing the kids to school.

“My uncle, who was known as The Showman Smith, was a generous man and a legend around Dunderry, and he bought my mother Marie in and bought her the car in Kerr’s garage in Athboy in 1983.

“My mother was driving it for five or six years and then the head gasket blew.

“They must have upgraded the car and that got sidelined and put into the shed and it was there ever since.

“It is brilliant that is getting a second chance now.”

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