A Mini Addiction
MiniWorld|November 2017

Gary Pearson, of SELKent Mini Club, is a self-confessed Miniholic…

Gary Pearson
A Mini Addiction

I have owned Minis since 1989 and I am now onto my 15th. My first one was a maroon Mini 1000 which I bought to work on and get an MOT. After filling the subframe and sills, I soon learned that Minis need welding. Over the next two years I bought and sold four Minis, including an 1100 Clubman and two Mini Mayfairs, before buying a Mini Cooper new in 1992.

My current fleet consists of a Rover Mini Cabriolet, an 850 Mini City and a Mini City E. I also have a John Cooper S Sport 5 Works and a New Mini which I use to keep the mileage low on my original Minis.

I bought my Night fire Red Cabriolet new in August 1994 for £11,400, after waiting from November 1992 to actually get one. In that time I've probably spent over 1,500 hours cleaning, polishing and panicking when I've started a job on it without knowing what I've let myself in for.

This story is from the November 2017 edition of MiniWorld.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the November 2017 edition of MiniWorld.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM MINIWORLDView All
Skin Deep
MiniWorld

Skin Deep

Scott Whitmore raced Mini Stox from the age of 10 and bought his first road Mini at 14. He already knew he was going to work in car body restoration. Just as well really...

time-read
7 mins  |
December 2019
Master Class
MiniWorld

Master Class

Back when concours restos were on the fringe of the mainstream scene, Roy Gudge joined a small band of visionaries who made their Mini Coopers better than new. He tells us about his stunning twice-restored 998cc Mk2 Cooper.

time-read
10+ mins  |
December 2019
Weekend Warrior
MiniWorld

Weekend Warrior

This early Clubman was destined for a tough dual-purpose life as a daily driver and international competition car but a thorough restoration has given it a surprising third role, as a prize-winning show car.

time-read
10 mins  |
November 2019
Tyred & Tested
MiniWorld

Tyred & Tested

Martin Hockley took what was a relatively plain-looking Mini Van and turned it into an eye-catching homage to a great British brand.

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2019
The Italian Job 50th Anniversary With Art
MiniWorld

The Italian Job 50th Anniversary With Art

Bex Celebrates The Iconic Italian Job Anniversary With Her Exclusive Signed Artworks.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2019
Mothballed Revival
MiniWorld

Mothballed Revival

Even though Michael Gill’s humble 1972 Austin Mini 1000 had been unused for eight years when he bought it back in 2015, it still required a thorough restoration.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2019
A Mini Addiction
MiniWorld

A Mini Addiction

Gary Pearson, of SELKent Mini Club, is a self-confessed Miniholic…

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2017
Rylstone Classic
MiniWorld

Rylstone Classic

Rylstone Classic

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2017
Goodwood Revival
MiniWorld

Goodwood Revival

Goodwood Revival

time-read
1 min  |
November 2017
Legendary Grand Tour
MiniWorld

Legendary Grand Tour

Legendary Grand Tour

time-read
1 min  |
November 2017