Family loves Minis so much, there’s more than 70 in the garage

Daniel Willson will be among the hundreds of motoring enthusiasts when the Mini Car Club of Tasmania celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Mini.

The Willson family of Huon Valley own up to 70 mini cars. Left, is James Willson and his twin brother Daniel Willson. Picture: MAX CLINGO

THE fascination began when Daniel Willson was just a boy, watching his parents tear around Tasmanian raceways in these small, four-wheel wonders.

It started to get more serious when Mr Willson and his twin brother James took on the restoration of a 1965-era Morris Mini Deluxe when they were just 11, taking the rundown vehicle previously owned by a family friend and bringing it roaring back to life.

And when they had their first races in Minis at Baskerville at the age of 14, then they were well and truly hooked.

“They are just so much fun, they’re so nimble to drive and when you drive them fast, you just feel a part of the car ... it’s an amazing feeling,” Mr Willson, 37, said.

The Willson family’s collection of Minis has grown over the years, with the boys alone having more than 70 Minis in a Huon region garage, including six Cooper S series, more racing Minis, road Minis, some cars under restoration and others that are too far gone and used only for parts.

“We love them, the whole family does. As boys, we grew up around them, painting them up, doing the mechanical work, restoring them and then eventually getting into the racing,” Mr Willson said.

He and his partner, Casey Price, share a passion for the cars and have been racing a Cooper S in tarmac rallies, including this year’s Targa Tasmania.

Some of the Wilson family cars will be on show on Sunday when the Mini Car Club of Tasmania celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Mini with a free event, called Minifest, in Claremont.

Co-ordinator Ms Price said the event had grown from about 125 cars in 2004 to the point where about 250 vehicles are expected to be on show on Sunday.

Local and interstate exhibitors will be taking part and aside from the cars, there will be food and drink stalls, showbags and children’s activities.

“Nearly everyone has a Mini story of some kind in their life, and those who don’t, wish they did,” Ms Price said.

At the end of the day there will be a parade of Minis making their way across the Bridgewater bridge.

“We’re aiming for the longest line of Minis ever seen in any capital city in Australia,” she said.

Minifest is 10am to 2pm Sunday at Box Hill Rd, Claremont Village. Entry is free. More information at minicarclubtas.business.site