Mini profile
List of Minis currently owned?
211 KYD - 1960 Austin Seven Deluxe – Mk1 850 with Alexander conversion - Billy
HXG 804F - 1968 Morris Mini Super Deluxe – modified Mk2 with Mk1 1275 S engine
V303 DPG - 2000 Rover Sportspack Mini - 1.3 Mpi with John Cooper 'S' Works Conversion - Baby
P120 HRW - 1996 Rover Cooper – 1.3 Mpi with Downton Conversion - Donni
How did you get into the Mini Scene?
I learnt to drive in a Mini when I was 17 and had a Mk1 Woody in my twenties. After that it was family cars and company cars, until I persuaded my daughter (Karen, MiniWorld Deputy Ed) to buy one when she was 17, followed soon by my son. I would often borrow their Minis in exchange for my sporty company car, but when the novelty wore off they told me to get my own!
How many Minis have you owned?
Five
When did you start working for MiniWorld?
I helped out occasionally at shows after Karen joined MiniWorld, and was her co-driver on the 2001 Italian Job. I wrote a few pieces and provided a few photos over the years, but started writing the club/website reviews regularly in Autumn 2004.
Favourite Mini memory?
Has to be the Italian Job 2001 in Sputnik, in a convoy of Minis, driving round the Monaco Grand Prix circuit, the Fiat Factory Rooftop and over the highest road in Europe, complete with hairpin bends with deadly drops, and potholes.
What are your current Mini projects?
Current project is restoring my MK2 which has been off the road since 1978. This is actually the Mini I learnt to drive in when it belonged to my Mother-in-law. The car was heavily modified in the seventies, including twin tanks, S brakes and engine from a written off MK1 Cooper S, and an original Wood & Pickett Vinyl Roof with Webasto sunroof. I am currently rebuilding the engine myself under the supervision of AC Dodd.
Donni
Donni actually belongs to Alan Drury (him Indoors), but you'll often see me out and about in him. Pictured here at Bosham harbour, near Chichester.
