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[roberts]

This months news, direct from Optimise HQ.

 

Check Out Our New T-Shirts

We have launched a range of Optimise Automotive branded Classic Mini and VW Camper T-shirts, check out the range online here: LINK

 

 

 

In Other News...

 

New website launch, a glimpse into the future of Optimise!

If you haven’t already, check out our new website design.

 

Launched last month, our fresh look website design has been introduced ahead of numerous updates that we will be making over the coming months. New design features include a more modern appearance with several navigation improvements - designed to help the user experience and make navigating around the website much easier than before.

 

This is the first glimpse into the future of Optimise Automotive (and a much needed update), as we start our launch of numerous new product ranges over the coming year, thrusting our services into new markets.

 

The website has been split (and will continue to be split further) into easier to navigate sub-categories. This will mean (moving forward, once we have completed the updates) that if you are looking for a Classic Mini interior, you will only need to click on “Classic Mini Interiors” and everything you need to know will be listed within a single sub-category.

 

We have already made a start with the “big split” updates - exterior trim, audio enclosures & merchandise are finished (so take a look at them, we have also added new photo galleries). In addition to this, we have also introduced further information pages such as “Seat Repairs” and over the coming months further information pages will be introduced, allowing you to find everything you need on our website.

 

It’s very exciting times here at Optimise Automotive, we can’t wait to take this journey with you.

 

 

Regards,

Andy @ Optimise Automotive

[roberts]

WEBSITE DOMAIN ADDRESS UPDATE

 

We recently made an update to our websites subdomain address (on 16/10/2018) and until the transfer/update is complete there may be a few broken links throughout the website.

 

We are working to resolve these issues ASAP and we anticipate that it will take around a week to fully fix/test all the broken links.

 

In the meantime, the website is fully functional and working.

 

 

Regards,

Andy @ Optimise Automotive

Edited by roberts, 18 October 2018 - 03:10 PM.

[roberts]

This months news, direct from Optimise HQ.

 

Christmas Dispatch Dates

 

 

The count down to Christmas is now well under way and the big day is rapidly approaching. We don’t want to see any of you disappointed if that special present doesn’t turn up in time. Please start thinking about your vehicle's Christmas present now, before it’s too late.

 

Important Christmas Dispatch Dates:

- Place your order on or before (all other orders): Sunday 9th December 2018.

- For your order to be dispatched on or before: Wednesday 19th December 2018.

 

Important Christmas Closure Dates:

- We close for Christmas on: Friday 21st December 2018 @ 13:00.

- We open after our break on: Monday 7th January 2019 @ 08:30.

 

For more information regarding our Christmas dispatch dates please see: LINK

 

 

In Other News...

 

A Website Domain Update

Following on from last months new website design, this month we have had a major subdomain update and transfer.  This update means that old links may not work, so please update your bookmarks.

 

 

Regards,

Andy @ Optimise Automotive

[roberts]

Good afternoon TMF,

 

Following unprecedented demand for our carpet kits we have made the decision to launch the range prior to our Christmas dispatch cut-off date.

• Please find the new range on our website here: LINK

The range is completely ready for launch (and ready for production), but we still need to sort out some of the photos and improve the descriptions (fingers crossed we manage to fit the photography in before Christmas).

 

As mentioned above, the demand for these kits has been huge (anyone who follows us on social media will have seen a few posts regarding the kits over the past few months) and you lot want them for Christmas... so, we thought we would be nice and launch them a little bit early.

 

Order them before midnight Sunday and we guarantee to have them dispatched in time for Christmas.

 

 

Regards,

Andy @ Optimise Automotive

 

P.S. We will be officially launching the kits in the New Year, so I will put a more detailed post up at a later date.

Edited by roberts, 08 December 2018 - 04:33 PM.

[roberts]

This months news, direct from Optimise HQ.

 

Happy New Year

First of all, we would like to take this opportunity to wish you a Happy New Year - we are now open again after our Christmas break.

 

The start of a New Year is always a great time to look back at the achievements of the past 12 months and 2018 was a brilliant year here at Optimise. Highlights included our 10th birthday (including our Charity open day party), our launch into the VW market (namely the wonderful World of campers) and perhaps most importantly, we again got to work on your interiors.

 

Throughout 2018 we worked on some incredible projects - from complete nut “n’ bolt original spec restorations, to the ultimate show stoppers, we did them all.

 

Without the support of the automotive communities we would be unable to create the masterpieces of automotive excellence that we have become known for, over the past 10 years.

 

Thank you, to you all.

 

Here is to the past and looking forward to the future… 2019, we got this!

 

   

 

 

In Other News...

 

Bespoke Interiors

As the classic car ownership market continues to change, with fewer & fewer Classic cars being used daily and nut ’n’ bolt restorations becoming the norm, we are finding that more & more customers are booking in bespoke work well in advance, to ensure that the project can be completed to specific future restoration deadlines.

 

For example, we still have a limited number of bespoke slots available in February but we are already completely booked up for April and we are also only a few bookings away from being completely booked up in June.

 

In previous years, we are usually booked up well into the spring by the second week of February (many of you chat with us at MiniFair about current projects and book the work in, in the weeks that follow MiniFair), but we have never had advanced bookings 6 months away, at this time of the year.

 

Advanced bookings have been the trend for the past 6 months or so and (as mentioned above) as more & more nut ’n’ bolt restorations become the norm, this trend will only continue.

 

We will always do our very best to accommodate deadlines for bespoke projects and if you are looking to have work completed to a specific deadline this year, please get in touch well in advance, to ensure that you do not miss out on a specific time slot, delaying your projects completion.

 

   

 

 

MiniFair 2019

We will be trading at the incredible MiniFair at Bingley Hall, Staffordshire County Showgrounds on Sunday 27th January 2019.

 

What a great way to start the Mini's 60th, see you all there.

 

   

 

 

Regards,

Andy @ Optimise Automotive

[roberts]

This months news, direct from Optimise HQ.

 

New VW Transporter Services (+ DubFreeze)

It’s been around six months since we launched our first VW Transporter products (our range of interior panels) and since then we have been continually designing & developing new products & services for the VW market.

Over the coming months, as we grow further into the wonderful world of VW Transporters we will be launching more and more, including a full conversion service.

Yes, that’s correct - we are currently launching into full van to campervan conversions and we will be taking on complete conversion projects ASAP. All of the work (conversions, fabrication, cabinets and trimming) will be completed here at Optimise HQ - watch this space for further info.

If you are attending DubFreeze this weekend, please come along and have a chat with us about our new services and in addition to that, make sure you take a look inside our VW T5 show van.

DubFreeze at Bingley Hall, Staffordshire County Showgrounds on Sunday 17th February 2019.

 

 

         

 

 

         

 

 

Regards,

Andy @ Optimise Automotive

[roberts]

This months news, direct from Optimise HQ.

 

Leatherette Update

The Classic Mini market is changing and as values continue to rise we are seeing more of a trend towards a majority of customers now looking for “quality” as opposed to “cheapest”.

 

As a result of this switch in mentality, we have made the decision to upgrade our product range leatherette - from a base automotive leatherette, to a premium automotive leatherette.

 

This update has resulted in a slight increase in cost across our product ranges - but it does mean that our standard leatherette trimmed options are now a premium product, resulting in a better quality of interior across our standard options.

 

Please check out the new upgraded range on the link below:

• Vinyl Leatherette (Standard): LINK

 

 

 

In Other News...

 

A Busy Few Months Ahead!

We are currently busier than ever and our standard product range lead times are currently around 4 to 6 weeks.

 

In addition to this, our bespoke work schedule is filling up very fast for the first half of 2019.

 

If you are working to a specific deadline or to a project completion date please let us know, so we can book the work in to our schedule for you ASAP.

 

We are already completely booked up until early June (week commencing 3rd June) for bespoke projects and as always, we are in discussions with a number of customers (with regards to bespoke projects). We anticipate that a majority of our bespoke work time slots for the first half of 2019 could be booked up within the next month and if a fraction of our current discussions lead to confirmed projects, we will be booked up until the end of summer, very shortly.

 

To avoid the potential disappointment of missing out on your deadline (if you are working to a deadline), please let us know your plans ASAP to ensure that we can fit you into our bespoke schedule.

 

   

 

 

Kind regards,

Andy @ Optimise Automotive

[roberts]

This months news, direct from Optimise HQ.

 

Classic Mini dash liner kits (update)!

We are well aware here at Optimise that “the customer knows best” and over the years we have continually made updates across the Classic Mini product range, to ensure that you all get exactly what you want and/or need.

 

Our latest update is to our range of dash liner kits and we have reluctantly been forced to drop our innovative one-piece lower dash tray liners in favour of an original style three-piece lower dash tray liner kit.

 

Our binnacle dash liners and innovative one-piece lower dash tray liners fitted slightly different to the original trim and unfortunately, from time-to-time, our customers struggled to get them to fit correctly (we can only guess that this is because they want them to fit just like the original liners).

 

As a result, we have made the decision to drop our innovative one-piece lower dash tray liners and replace them with a kit that everyone will be able to install correctly.

 

The new kits consist of two (one for each side) under dash tray liner support trays (manufactured from 6mm MDF) and a one piece padded dash tray liner (manufactured from a 3mm closed cell foam and trimmed in either leatherette or carpet).

 

In addition to this, we have also had problems in the past when customers have attempted to install one aspect of our dash liner kits (either a binnacle dash liner or a lower dash tray) with one aspect of an original dash liner kit (either an original binnacle dash liner or an original lower dash tray).

 

As a result, we have also grouped the new lower dash tray kits together with our binnacle dash liner kits.

 

These latest updates will ensure that every dash kit we sell, will fit every Mini (even if you install them like the original dash liners), without any problems.

 

 

 

In Other News...

 

Clubman 1275GT Front Seat Covers

We have been commissioned to trim 12 sets of original Clubman 1275GT front seat covers, using the last known roll in the World of the original grey 1275GT cloth!

 

These cover kits are available to buy (via the customer who has commissioned the work) on a first-come-first-serve basis and if you are interested, please contact ASAP (so we can pass on your details).

 

In addition to this, we can also completely rebuild your original front seats, prices as follows:

• Seat cover fitting: £120 (x2 reclining front seat covers fitted to original 1275GT frames).
• New foams: £140 (x2 squab foams & x2 cushion foams).
• New seat diaphragms £160 (x2 squab diaphragms & x2 cushion diaphragms, inc. installation).

If you are interested, please get in touch.

 

  

 

 

Kind regards,

Andy @ Optimise Automotive

[roberts]

This months news, direct from Optimise HQ.

 

 

   

 

 

Busy, busy, busy...

As a result of our current workload we have made the decision to close the office (for the next week or so) and focus our entire efforts on getting current orders manufactured and dispatched.

 

Over the next couple of weeks it will take us a little longer to respond to emails than usual - please be patient, we will get back to you when we have the time.

 

Just to let you know, lead times are currently between 4 to 6 weeks (across our standard product ranges).

 

If you have an enquiry that is urgent please phone and leave a message - we promise to call you back ASAP.

 

 

   

 

 

Kind regards,

Andy @ Optimise Automotive

[roberts]

This months news, direct from Optimise HQ.

 

A New Chapter Begins!

The long wait is finally over and we have our first VW Splitscreen in for a stunning interior makeover.

Make sure you keep an eye on our social media over the next few weeks, as we transform this tired grey Westfalia interior into a thing of beauty.

 

FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM
 

   

 

In Other News...

 

Mini & VW Bus Meet 2019

We will be trading at Mini & VW Bus Meet at D K Rugby Club, Kingswinford on Sunday 23rd June. It's a great little show (which is growing each year) and we look forward to seeing you all there!

 

 

 

Kind regards,

Andy @ Optimise Automotive

Edited by roberts, 31 May 2019 - 02:21 PM.

[roberts]

This months news, direct from Optimise HQ.

 

 

   

 

 

Archie 1964

As you already know (from our previous post), we have recently had our first VW Splitscreen in for a complete interior makeover.

 

Archie the Westfalia Splitscreen was an amazing project to be part of, it’s always an honour to be trusted to transform your pride and joys and we can’t wait to work on more incredible campervan interiors over the coming years.

 

 

 

 

 

In Other News...

 

Camper Jam 2019

We will be trading at Camper Jam at Weston Park, Shropshire on Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th July. It's our second year trading at Camper Jam and we can't wait to go back again, we look forward to seeing you all there!

 

 

 

 

Kind regards,

Andy @ Optimise Automotive

[roberts]

This months news, direct from Optimise HQ.

 

 

A shift towards our specialisms!

Here at Optimise we have always “specialised” in the Classic Mini and audio enclosures (and more recently VW Transporters). However, in addition to our “specialist” areas we have always promoted & offered interiors for anything and everything. Or in other words, in addition to our specialisms, we have also been your local interior trim, upholstery and audio enclosure shop.

 

Over the past 11 years this has seen us work on some incredible projects - including modified MINI’s, show stopping Nissan Z’s, concourse Lotus Elan’s, regal Jensen Interceptor’s, MG’s, Alfa Romeo’s, Triumph’s… the list goes on and on.

 

 

 

We’ve never done loads of “other vehicles” though and Classic Mini interiors have always fulfilled 80% plus of our projects.

 

This brings us nicely to where we are right now and our move (over the past 12 months) into also specialising in VW Transporter interiors. Our Classic Mini and VW Transporter projects, combined with the audio enclosures and moped & motorbike seat retrims mean that our schedules are continually jam packed with incredible “specialist” projects.

 

So that’s that, we have made the decision to specialise in what we do best and also, what we are most passionate about - modified retro loveliness.

 

Also, just to let you know - this is certainly not the end of offering interiors for “anything & everything” and if you want something trimming for a vehicle that we do not “specialise” in we can certainly offer it. But, this is the end of us promoting ourselves as “your local trim shop”. Basically, we are now a Classic Mini, VW Transporter, retro moped & motorbike and audio enclosure specialist.

 

Thumbs up to an amazing future, we are excited.

 

 

 

In Other News...

 

MITP 2019

We will be trading at Mini In The Park at Mallory Park, Leicestershire on Sunday 18th August.

 

MITP has a new venue for 2019 (Mallory Park) and we can’t wait - fingers crossed the switch from Santa Pod rejuvenates the show and it can soon again be classed as the best show on the Mini show calendar.

 

We look forward to seeing you all there!

 

 

 

Kind regards,

Andy @ Optimise Automotive

[roberts]

This months news, direct from Optimise HQ.

 

 

 

 

A summer to remember…

 

As we start to sit back and relax a little after our busiest summer to date, it’s the perfect time to start planning for the winter and in particular (as we mentioned in last month's Newsletter) our shift towards becoming a specialist.

 

The VW Transporter section of our website is currently being revamped and over the coming weeks additional information, photos and price guides will be added.

 

Following that, we will be updating the Classic Mini section of the website and introducing new photo galleries (amongst other things).

 

And we would love your help…

 

If you have had one of our interiors and you would like your Mini to be featured in our new galleries, please send us over a few high resolution photos.  If possible please send us a minimum of four photos (so we can include your Mini on our main gallery page) and also please only send us landscape photographs (as portrait photos will not work in the galleries).

 

We are looking to feature 5 Classic Mini interiors on the main gallery and any remaining photos will be added to a thumbnail gallery.

 

 

 

 

In Other News...

 

Stanford Hall

We will be trading at Standford Hall, Lutterworth on Sunday 15th September 2019.

 

British Mini Club’s Mini day is the last major outdoor event of the year and it promises to be a brilliant day, as BMC continue to revive one of the oldest Mini shows on the calendar.

 

See you all there.

 

 

 

 

Kind regards,

Andy @ Optimise Automotive

[roberts]

This months news, direct from Optimise HQ.

 

 

 

 

Bespoke Winter Restorations & Projects

 

We know it’s only just turned October, but we are currently hearing a lot of:

 

"I’m looking to get my interior retrimmed after Christmas”.

 

In fact, so many people have said that to us in the last few weeks, that if half the people who have said it go ahead with a new interior, we won’t be able to fit half of the projects in, between the New Year and the start of the 2020 show season (April/May).

 

We already have a few projects booked in for the New Year and we are already in serious discussions with several others about New Year projects.

 

As a result, we would like to try and encourage you to start thinking about booking your winter projects in as soon as possible and also to potentially look at bringing your winter retrim forward, to this side of Christmas.

 

We obviously don’t want anyone to miss out this winter so please contact us ASAP if you are looking to have your interior retrimmed before the start of next years show season.

 

 

 

 

 

In Other News...

 

Product Update - Fuel Bibs

 

Product Update - Fuel Bibs  We have made the decision to drop the option of contrasting stitching from our range of fuel bibs - quite simply, they look better with a matching colour of edge stitching.

 

 

 

 

 

Kind regards,

Andy @ Optimise Automotive

[roberts]

This months news, direct from Optimise HQ.

 

 

 

 

Dispatch Dates For Your Christmas Prezzies!

 

The count down to Christmas is now well under way, the big day is rapidly approaching and we don’t want to see any of you disappointed if that special prezzie doesn’t turn up in time.

 

Please start thinking about your Christmas presents now, before it’s too late.

 

Important Christmas Dispatch Dates:

• Place your order on or before: Sunday 1st December 2019.
• For your order to be dispatched on or before: Wednesday 18th December 2019.

 

Important Christmas Closure Dates:

• We close for Christmas on: Friday 20th December 2019 @ 13:00.
• We open after our break on: Monday 6th January 2020 @ 08:30.

 

 

 

In Other News...

 

Bespoke Winter Restorations & Projects Update

 

Last month we let you know that our bespoke winter project time slots are currently booking up faster than ever before and that we are in discussions with plenty of other people with regards to bespoke interiors, for the New Year. We also asked you all to start thinking about booking your winter projects in as soon as possible, to avoid the disappointment of missing out.

 

Thank you - many of you have taken our advice and we now have loads of incredibly exciting projects booked in between now and May.

 

Just to let you know, we are now completely booked up (for bespoke projects) until we close for Christmas and our first available start dates (for anything bespoke) are currently around the middle of January.

 

If you are looking to have any bespoke work completed before MiniFair (Bingley Hall) at the end of January we would recommend contacting us and booking the work in this week (we are actually a couple of confirmations away from being booked up until mid February).

 

In addition to this, we already have several bookings confirmed for later in the New Year (including projects confirmed for January, February, April & May).

 

As before, please contact us ASAP with regards to your winter retrims - we obviously don’t want anyone to miss out this winter, especially if you are looking to have your interior retrimmed before the start of next years show season.

 

 

 

Kind regards,

Andy @ Optimise Automotive

Edited by roberts, 31 October 2019 - 05:14 PM.