Hillman Minx

The Hillman Minx was a mid-sized family car that British car maker Hillman produced from 1931 to 1970. There were many versions of the Minx over that period, as well as badge engineered variants sold by Humber, Singer, and Sunbeam.

From the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s, the Minx and its derivatives were the greatest-volume sellers of the "Audax" family of cars from Rootes, which also included the Singer Gazelle and Sunbeam Rapier. The final version of the Minx was the "New Minx" launched in 1967, which was part of the "Arrow" family and essentially a basic version of the Hillman Hunter. Generally, the Minx was available in four-door saloon and estate forms, with a 1496-cc engine.

The Hillman Super Minx was a slightly larger model offered during the Audax era.

Throughout the life of the Minx, there was usually an estate version—and, from 1954 to 1965, a short-wheelbase estate, the Hillman Husky, and a van derivative known as the Commer Cob.

The Minx model name was revived briefly – along with the "Rapier" name, as applied to the Sunbeam Rapier version of the Audax family – as a special edition late in the life of the Talbot Alpine / Talbot Solara cars, produced by Chrysler Europe after its takeover of the Rootes Group. Template:TOC left

Pre-WWII Minx

The original Minx was announced to the public 1 October 1931.<ref>Cars Of 1932 The Times 1 October 1931 page 7</ref> It was straightforward and conventional<ref name=ADC>Anders Detlev Clausager, Sunbeam-Talbot and Alpine in Detail, Herridge, 2009. Template:ISBN.</ref> with a pressed-steel body on separate chassis and 30 bhp 1185 cc engine producing cushioned power.<ref group=note>Instead of being bolted firmly to the chassis the engine was mounted so that it could rock from side to side restricted by a leaf spring.</ref> It was upgraded with a four-speed transmission in 1934 and a styling upgrade, most noticeably a slightly V-shaped grille. For 1935 the range was similar except that synchromesh was added to all forward gears and this Minx became the first mass-produced car with an all-synchromesh gearbox.<ref name=MS54>p. 54, Michael Sedgwick, Cars of the Thirties and Forties, Hamlyn, London, 1975. Template:ISBN.</ref> it was designed by Rootes' technical director Captain John Samuel Irving (1880-1953), designer of Sunbeam aero engines and Sunbeam's Golden Arrow' in conjunction with Alfred Herbert Wilde (1891–1930), recently chief engineer of Standard and designer of the Standard Nine.<ref name=ADC/>

The 1936 model had a new name, the Minx Magnificent, and a restyle with a much more rounded body. The chassis was stiffened and the engine moved forwards to give more passenger room. The rear panel, previously vertical, was now set at a sloping angle, and the manufacturers offered the option of a folding luggage grid attached to the rear panel for "two pounds, seven shillings and sixpence" (slightly under £2.40) painted.<ref name=BritCarsofLate30s>Template:Cite book</ref> A Commer-badged estate car was added to the range.

The final pre-war model was the 1938 Minx. There were no more factory-built tourers but some were made by Carbodies. The car was visually similar to the Magnificent, with a different grille, and access to the luggage boot (trunk) was external (that on the predecessor was accessed by folding down the rear seat). There were two saloon models in the range, the basic "Safety" model with simple rexine trim instead of leather, no opening front quarter lights, and less luxurious trim levels. The De Luxe model had leather trim, opening quarter lights, extra trim pads, and various other comfort benefits. The 1938 model was not the final iteration before the outbreak of war, however, as the 1939 model was considerably different mechanically, with virtually the entire drivetrain improved to the extent that few parts are interchangeable with the 1938 model. This includes gearbox, differential, half shafts, steering box, and a great many other mechanical and cosmetic changes. Even the front grille, which to the casual eye looks almost identical to the 1938 model, became a pressed alloy component rather than a composite.

• Hillman Aero Minx 1933 (9218266477).jpg

  Aerominx 1933

• Hillman Minx sports tourer manufactured 1934 1185 cc.JPG

  Minx sports tourer 1934

• Hillman possibly Minx built 1935 according to DVLA database photo 2008 Castle Hedingham.JPG

  Minx 1935 the first mass-produced car with an all-synchromesh gearbox<ref name=MS54/>

• Hillman Minx manufactured 1937 1184 cc according to tax office.JPG

  Minx 1937

• 1937 Hillman Minx drop head coupé (29121528312).jpg

  Minx tourer 1937

Wartime Minx

File:Hillman Minx.jpg

RAF staff car

During the Second World War, British car companies produced simple Utility load carriers, the Car, Light Utility or "Tilly" which was later developed into the experimental Hillman Gnat. For Hillman it was the Hillman 10HP, a Minx chassis with a two-person cab and covered load area behind. The basic saloon was also produced for military and essential civilian use from 1940 to 1944.

Operators

• Template:Flag: British Army, RAF

Minx Mark I to VIII (1945–1957)

Template:Infobox automobile The Minx sold between 1945 and 1947 had the same 1185 cc side-valve engine, the same wheelbase and virtually the same shape as the prewar Minx. This postwar Minx became known as the Minx Mark I (or Minx Phase I). This was the first Minx with a protruding boot (trunk) that nodded to the Ponton, three-box design by then replacing the 'flat back' look, inherited from models that had debuted in the 1930s. Between 1947 and 1948, Hillman offered a modified version they called the Minx Mark II.

A much more modern-looking Minx, the Mark III, was sold from 1948. Three different body styles were offered initially, these being saloon, estate car and drophead coupé (convertible). Beneath the metal, however, and apart from updated front suspension, little had changed: the Mark III retained the 1185 cc side-valve engine of its predecessor. Claimed power output, at Template:Convert, was also unchanged. However, in 1949 the old engine was bored out and compression ratio increased, for the Minx Mark IV, to 1265 cc, and power output increased by 7 per cent to Template:Convert.<ref name=Motor1949/> A Mark IV saloon tested by The Motor magazine in 1949 had a top speed of Template:Convert and could accelerate from 0–Template:Convert in 39.7 seconds. A fuel consumption of Template:Convert was recorded. The test car cost £505 including taxes, the price including radio (£36), over-riders (£5) and heater (£18).<ref name=Motor1949>Template:Cite journal</ref>

The Mark V, introduced in 1951, featured side chromium trim and a floor-mounted handbrake.<ref name=Sedgwick_P87>Michael Sedgwick & Markes Gillies, A-Z of Cars 1945–1970, page 87</ref>

The Mark VI of 1953 featured a new grille, revised combustion chambers and a two-spoke steering wheel.<ref name=Sedgwick_P87/> A fourth body variation was added, badged as the Hillman Minx Californian, a two-door hard-top coupé with, slightly unusually, a b-pillar that wound down out of sight along with the rear side window to give an unbroken window line when all windows were fully opened: the rear window assembly was of a three-piece wrap-around form.<ref name=AlleAutosder50er>Template:Cite book</ref> The wheelbase and overall length of the car remained the same as those of the four-door saloon and convertible permutations. The Mark VII, also introduced in 1953, featured longer rear mudguards and a bigger boot.<ref name=Sedgwick_P87/> For the Mark VIII, in 1954, a new ohv 1390 cc engine was installed. This engine, two years later, went into the first of the new "Audax series" Minxes.

For a short time in the early 1950s, Hillman Minxes were sold in the US to Americans seeking better gas mileage. American reviews of the vehicle were lukewarm.<ref>"Report on the Hillman Minx" Popular Mechanics, January 1953, pp. 112-115/260</ref>

The Mark VI to Mark VIII was produced in Japan by Isuzu between 1953 and 1956, as the Isuzu Hillman Minx,<ref>"The History of Anglo-Japanese relations, 1600–2000" Edited by Janet E. Hunter and Shinya Sugiyama: Volume IV, Chapter 6 – A case study of Anglo-Japanese cooperation in the motor vehicle industry: Ishikawajima, Wolseley, Isuzu and Rootes</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">"Isuzu Memorial 1953 -2003", Yaesu Publishing (Japan) 2008</ref> prior to their 1961 introduction of the Bellel.<ref name="Isuzu" />

A 2-door coupé utility variant of the Minx Mark VIII was produced by Rootes Australia as the Hillman de luxe Utility, circa 1956.<ref name=Power_Farming/>

• Hillman Minx Saloon of 1946.JPG

  1946 Hillman Minx Mark I saloon

• Hilman 1947.jpg

  1947 Hillman Minx Mark I drophead coupé

• 1947 Hillman - 10 hp - 4 cyl - WBC 6777 - Kolkata 2017-01-29 3845.JPG

  1948 Hillman Minx Mark II Saloon

• DSC04263 (29955446504).jpg

  Hillman Minx Mark III Saloon

• Hillman Minx Mark IV Saloon (1949).JPG

  Hillman Minx Mark IV Saloon (1949)

• 1953 Hillman Minx Mark V IMG 3057.jpg

  1953 Hillman Minx Mark V

• Isuzu Hillman Minx Mark Ⅵ, Front view.jpg

  Hillman Minx Mark VI (produced by Isuzu)

• 1954 Hillman Minx Phase VII Saloon.jpg

  1954 Hillman Minx Mark VII

• Hillman Minx Mark VIII Cabriolet 1955.jpg

  Hillman Minx Mark VIII drophead coupé ca 1955

• Hillman Minx Mark 8 1955.JPG

  Hillman Minx Mark VIII
  4-door saloon 1955

• 1955 Hillman Minx Californian (8578669699).jpg

  Hillman Minx Californian Mark VIII

• Hillman de luxe Utility (16085618332).jpg

  Hillman de luxe Utility Mark VIII

• 1954 Humber 10 (11661843236).jpg

  1954 Humber 10 (Minx rebranded for New Zealand's Humber dealers)

• 1955 Humber 80 Saloon (46450330504).jpg

  1955 Humber 80 (Minx rebranded for New Zealand market)

Audax design Hillman Minx (Series I to Series VI, 1956–1967)

Template:Infobox automobile The Audax body was designed by the Rootes Group, but helped by the Raymond Loewy design organisation, who were involved in the design of Studebaker coupés in 1953. Announced in May 1956<ref>New Hillman Minx The Times 17 May 1956 page 2</ref> the car went through a succession of annual facelifts each given a series number, replacing the mark number used on the previous Minxes. The Series I, introduced in 1956, was followed by the Series II in 1957, the Series III in 1958, the Series IIIA in 1959, the Series IIIB in 1960, the Series IIIC in 1961, the Series V in 1963 and the Series VI in 1965.<ref name=Sedgwick_P88-P89>Michael Sedgwick & Markes Gillies, A-Z of Cars 1945–1970, pages 88 & 89</ref> There was no Series IV. Over the years the engine was increased in capacity from 1390 cc (in the Series I and II) to 1725 cc in the Series VI. A variety of manual transmissions, with column or floor change, and automatic transmissions were offered. For the automatic version, the Series I and Series II used a Lockheed Manumatic two-pedal system (really only a semi-automatic), the Series III a Smiths Easidrive,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> which was the first production dual-clutch transmission, while the V/VI a Borg Warner. The Series VI was fitted with an all-synchromesh gearbox.<ref>Hillman Minx Series VI, www.motorbase.com Retrieved 24 October 2017</ref>

A Series III deLuxe saloon with 1494 cc engine tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1958 had a top speed of Template:Convert and could accelerate from 0–Template:Convert in 25.4 seconds. A fuel consumption of Template:Convert was recorded. The test car cost £794 including taxes of £265.<ref name=Motor1958>Template:Cite journal</ref>

There were Singer Gazelle and Sunbeam Rapier variants of all these Hillman Minx models and the names were again used on derivatives in the later Rootes Arrow range. Some models were re-badged in certain markets, with the Sunbeam and Humber marques used for some exports.

The New Zealand importer/assembler Todd Motors created the Humber 80 and Humber 90, badge-engineered models based respectively on the Minx and Super Minx, to give Humber dealers a smaller car to sell alongside the locally assembled Hawk and Super Snipe. Although the 90 was identical to the Super Minx apart from badging, the cheaper 80 featured a horizontal bar grille design. The Humber 80 was acknowledged in the 1980s Roger Hall play Prisoners of Mother England, in which a newly arrived immigrant in New Zealand spots one and exclaims: "Humber 80? There's no such car!"

In Australia, a Series Va model was released in 1965.<ref name=www.sa.hillman.org.au>Hillman Minx Series V & VI and Hillman Gazelle, www.sa.hillman.org.au Retrieved 24 October 2017</ref> It was fitted with a more powerful 1592cc engine and the all-synchromesh gearbox destined for the forthcoming Series VI model.<ref name=www.sa.hillman.org.au/>

The Audax Minx was also built in Japan by Isuzu Motors as the Isuzu Hillman Minx, under licence from Rootes, between September 1956 and June 1964.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Isuzu produced their own unique estate car version, the Isuzu Hillman Express, from 1958 to 1964.<ref>Isuzu Hillman Minx factory brochures from 1959,1960,1962</ref>

• 1956 Hillman Minx Series I (14302774535).jpg

  Hillman Minx Series I Saloon

• Hillman Minx Series II registered May 1958 1390cc.JPG

  Hillman Minx Series II Saloon

• Hillman Minx Series III.jpg

  Hillman Minx Series III Saloon

• 1959 Hillman Minx Estate Car (Series III).jpg

  Hillman Minx Series III Estate Car

• Hillman Minx Series IIIA.jpg

  Hillman Minx Series IIIA Saloon - chrome grille

• Hillman Minx Series IIIB.jpg

  Hillman Minx Series IIIB Convertible featuring an alloy grille in place of the chrome grill of the Series IIIA

• Hillman Minx Convertible.jpg

  Hillman Minx Series IIIC Convertible: the last of the convertible Minx line

• Hillman Minx Series V.jpg

  Hillman Minx Series V: Roof and rear window restyled, 13-inch wheels, disc brakes, 1592cc engine

• Hillman Minx series VI 1725 cc reg april 1966.JPG

  Hillman Minx Series VI: Bumper over-riders deleted, 1725cc engine

• 1959 Humber 80.jpg

  1959 Humber 80 – a Hillman Minx Series III badged as Humber for some markets such as (here) in New Zealand

• '66 Sunbeam Minx (Auto classique VAQ St-Lambert '12).jpg

  1966 Sunbeam Minx in Canada

Super Minx (1961–1967)

Template:Infobox automobile {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Launched late in 1961, the Hillman Super Minx was intended at one stage to replace the Minx Series III.<ref name=Motor1968>Template:Cite journal</ref> In the event the Series III would be replaced in 1963 by the Series V, while the Super Minx was launched as a separate, albeit closely related, model.

New Minx (1967–1970)

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:Infobox automobile A replacement Minx (sometimes identified, retrospectively, as the New Minx) took over from the Series VI in 1967. It was a reduced specification version of the Hillman Hunter.<ref name=Sedgwick>Michael Sedgwick & Markes Gillies, A-Z of Cars 1945–1970, page 90</ref> Saloon and estate versions were produced, initially equipped with a 54 bhp 1496 cc 4 cylinder engine.<ref name=Sedgwick/> A 61 bhp 1725cc engine became available in 1968.<ref name=dev-hunter>Smart new clothes Template:Webarchive Retrieved from www.rootes-chrysler.co.uk on 31 July 2012</ref> The final Minx was replaced by a Hillman Hunter De Luxe model in 1970.<ref name=dev-hunter/>

• 1968 Hillman Minx Estate 1.5 Front.jpg

  1968 Hillman Minx estate

• 1967 Hillman Minx.jpg

  1967 Hillman Minx saloon rear

• 1968 Hillman Minx Estate 1.5 Rear.jpg

  Estate rear

Models

Type	Year	Engine	Approx. production	Body types	Wheelbase<ref name=BritishCars>Template:Cite book</ref>	Max speed	Notes
Minx	1932–33	1185 cc 4-cylinder side-valve	n/a	tourer, sports tourer, 4 light saloon, 6 light saloon, drophead coupé	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	3-speed gearbox, Bendix brakes, wire wheels
Minx	1934	1185 cc 4-cylinder side-valve	n/a	tourer, sports tourer, 4 light saloon, 6 light saloon, drophead coupé	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	4-speed gearbox
Minx	1935	1185 cc 4-cylinder side-valve	n/a	tourer, sports tourer, 4 light saloon, 6 light saloon, drophead coupé	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Synchromesh gearbox
Minx Magnificent	1936–37	1185 cc 4-cylinder side-valve	n/a	tourer, sports tourer, saloon, drophead coupé, estate (1937)	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	New chassis with the engine moved forwards; pressed steel wheels
New Minx	1938–39	1185 cc 4-cylinder side-valve	n/a	saloon, drophead coupé, estate	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Styling update
Minx	1940–44	1185 cc 4-cylinder side-valve	n/a	saloon, drophead coupé	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Unitary construction, 12-volt, rear-hinged bonnet, probably no coupés made
Car, Light Utility, Hillman 10HP	1940–45	4 cyl. Template:Convert engine 1185 cc sv		Utility body (also Saloon, "Convertible Van" "Ladder Van")	Template:Convert		Six Marks, pickup bodies with integral cab
Minx Mark I	1945–47	1185 cc 4-cylinder side-valve	60,000 (estimated including Mark II)<ref name=AtoZCars>Template:Cite book</ref>	saloon, drophead coupé, estate	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Unitary construction, 12-volt, rear-hinged bonnet
Minx Mark II	1947–48	1185 cc 4-cylinder side-valve	see Mark I	saloon, drophead coupé, estate	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Styling update: faired in headlamps, hydraulic brakes
Minx Mark III	1948–49	1185 cc 4-cylinder side-valve	28,619<ref name=AtoZCars/>	saloon, convertible, estate	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	New styling, independent front suspension
Minx Mark IV	1949–51	1265 cc 4-cylinder side-valve	90,832<ref name=AtoZCars/>	saloon, convertible, estate, pickup/utility	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Styling as Mark III
Minx Mark V	1951–53	1265 cc 4-cylinder side-valve	59,777<ref name=AtoZCars/>	saloon, convertible, estate	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Minor changes
Minx Mark VI	1953	1265 cc 4-cylinder side-valve	44,643<ref name=AtoZCars/>	saloon, convertible, 'California' coupé, estate	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	New grille
Minx Mark VII	1953–54	1265 cc 4-cylinder side-valve	60,711<ref name=AtoZCars/>	saloon, convertible, coupé, estate	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Bigger boot
Minx Mark VIII	1954–57	1390 cc 4-cylinder overhead-valve	94,123<ref name=AtoZCars/>	saloon, convertible, coupé, estate, pickup/coupé utility <ref>Hillman & Commer Mark VIII Light Pick-up (utility) Retrieved from www.sa.hillman.org.au on 31 July 2012</ref>	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	15-inch wheels; early examples have previous engine
Minx Series I	1956–57	1390 cc 4-cylinder overhead-valve	202,204<ref name=AtoZCars/>	saloon, convertible, estate	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	New body designed by Raymond Loewy, reminiscent of his 1955 Studebaker
Minx Series II	1957–58	1390 cc 4-cylinder overhead-valve		saloon, convertible, estate	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Minor styling change
Minx Series III	1958–59	1494 cc 4-cylinder overhead-valve	83,105<ref name=AtoZCars/>	saloon, convertible, estate	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	New grille
Minx Series IIIA, B	1959–60, 60–61	1494 cc 4-cylinder overhead-valve	78,052 and 58,260<ref name=AtoZCars/>	saloon, convertible, estate	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Tail fins; optional auto; hypoid rear axle on IIIB
Minx Series IIIC	1961–63	1592 cc 4-cylinder overhead-valve	n/a	saloon, convertible, estate	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	No convertibles after mid 1962
Super Minx Series I	1961–62	1592 cc 4-cylinder overhead-valve	n/a	saloon, convertible, estate	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Long wheelbase Minx
Minx Series V	1963–65	1592 cc 4-cylinder overhead-valve	n/a	saloon	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Front discs
Super Minx Series II	1962–63	1592 cc 4-cylinder overhead-valve	n/a	saloon, convertible, estate	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Front discs
Super Minx Series III	1964–65	1592 cc 4-cylinder overhead-valve	n/a	saloon	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	All synchromesh gearbox revised "C" post
Minx Series VI	1965–67	1725 cc 4-cylinder overhead-valve	n/a	saloon	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	All synchromesh gearbox
Super Minx Series IV	1964–65	1725 cc 4-cylinder overhead-valve	n/a	saloon	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
Hunter	1966–79	1725 cc 4-cylinder overhead-valve	470,000<ref name=AtoZCars/>	saloon, estate	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	"Arrow" series shape, optional overdrive
New Minx	1967–70	1496 cc 4-cylinder overhead-valve		saloon, estate	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Basic "Arrow" Hunter; 1725 cc engine optional on estates

Scale Models

• Meccano Dinky Toys; No. 154 (production 1954–58), Minx Mark I to VIII (1945–57) approximately O scale (1:44).<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
• Meccano Dinky Toys; No. 175 (production 1958–61), Hillman Minx Series I approximately O scale (1:44).<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
• Triang Spot-On Hillman Minx Series V 1:42 scale

External links

• Hillman range for 1939 sales brochure
• Isuzu's first Minx Mark VI off the assembly line
• Template:Usurped
• Rootes-Chrysler website Template:Webarchive