A MEMBER of the Guernsey Mini Owners’ Club since it started in 1992, Eric Trump has restored 12 of the inimitable cars since he was given his first one at the tender age of 17.
‘I have two Minis on the road and around 10 in storage,’ said Eric.
‘They are one of the few cars left that you can work on by yourself.’
Eric’s current project is restoring a white Mini Saloon for a friend, payment for which will come in the form of a Mini Estate.
The Cable & Wireless employee started work on the car just before Christmas.
‘I just wanted to give it a new lease of life and I order all the parts from Mini magazines,’ he said.
After stripping it bare, Eric gave the vehicle a new front panel and replaced the rear valance and rotten side panels.
‘There was a big piece missing from the roof so I gave it a whole new roof and knocked out all the dents.’
The car, which is an automatic, has also had new seats and carpets installed to give it a fresh look.
Eric attended his first Mini show in 1994 when he took one of his cars to the UK.
Eric Trump at work on one of his many Minis. (Pictures by Steve Sarre)
‘I came back with trophies for the furthest travelled and third in class,’ he said.
He has also attended the Southern Mini Owners’ show in Kent since 2001, with this year being his sixth trip.
He said the car that takes pride of place would have to be his 40-year-old Mini Minor, which is the oldest he owns and which he plans to renovate in the future.
‘I have had the Mini Pimlico the longest. It’s made of fibreglass and is the one I take away most places,’ he added.
Mr Trump’s interest in Minis started when his sister gave him a Morris Minor one when he was 17. He used to race around the beach in it and take part in the hill climb.
‘I didn’t know a lot about cars until we stripped one Mini and realised there were a lot of parts we could keep and would use again.’
The Guernsey Mini Show, now in its 13th year, will take place on 1 June at Le Friquet Plant Centre.
Last year, it had more than 40 entries and 300 members of the public voted for the best car in show.
This year’s has 10 UK entries so far.
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