Hillman Minx
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Hillman Minx | |
|---|---|
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| Manufacturer | Rootes Group |
| Production | 1932-70 |
| Predecessor | Hillman 14 |
| Successor | Hillman Hunter Hillman Avenger |
| Body style | saloon standard estate short wheelbase estate van derivative |
| Related | Rootes Audax |
| Similar | Morris Oxford Morris Marina |
The Hillman Minx was a series of middle-sized family cars produced under the Hillman marque by the Rootes Group between 1932 and 1970. There have been many versions of the Minx over the years, as well as various badge-engineered versions which were sold under the Humber, Singer, and Sunbeam marques.
For most of the 1960s the Minx and its derivatives were the greatest-volume sellers of the "Audax" family of cars from Rootes. 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 1496cc 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 for some time there was also a short-wheelbase estate, the Hillman Husky, and additionally a van derivative of that, known as the Commer Cob.
The Minx brand was revived briefly – along with the "Rapier" model 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 the demise of the Rootes Group.
[edit] Models
| Type | Year | Engine | Approx Production | Body types | Wheelbase | 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 | 7 ft 8 in | 62 mph | 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 | 7 ft 8 in | 62 mph | 4 speed gearbox |
| Minx | 1935 | 1185 cc 4 cylinder side valve | n/a | tourer, sports tourer, 4 light saloon, 6 light saloon, drophead coupé | 7 ft 8 in | 62 mph | Synchromesh gearbox |
| Minx Magnificent | 1936-37 | 1185 cc 4 cylinder side valve | n/a | tourer, sports tourer, saloon, drophead coupé, estate (1937) | 7 ft 9 in | 62 mph | New chassis with engine moved forwards; pressed steel wheels |
| New Minx | 1938-39 | 1185 cc 4 cylinder side valve | n/a | saloon, drophead coupé, estate | 7 ft 9 in | 62 mph | Styling update |
| Minx | 1940-44 | 1185 cc 4 cylinder side valve | n/a | saloon, drophead coupé | 7 ft 9 in | 62 mph | Unitary construction, 12 volt, rear hinged bonnet, probably no coupés made |
| Minx Phase I | 1945-47 | 1185 cc 4 cylinder side valve | n/a | saloon, drophead coupé, estate | 7 ft 9 in | 63 mph | Unitary construction, 12 volt, rear hinged bonnet |
| Minx Phase II | 1947-48 | 1185 cc 4 cylinder side valve | n/a | saloon, drophead coupé, estate | 7 ft 9 in | 66 mph | Styling update: faired in headlamps, hydraulic brakes |
| Minx Phase III | 1948-49 | 1185 cc 4 cylinder side valve | 28,619 | saloon, convertible, estate | 7 ft 9 in | 70 mph | New styling, independent front suspension |
| Minx Phase IV | 1949-51 | 1265 cc 4 cylinder side valve | 90,832 | saloon, convertible, estate | 7 ft 9 in | 68 mph | Styling as Phase III |
| Minx Phase V | 1951-53 | 1265 cc 4 cylinder side valve | 59,777 | saloon, convertible, estate | 7 ft 9 in | 73 mph | Minor changes |
| Minx Phase VI | 1953 | 1265 cc 4 cylinder side valve | 44,643 | saloon, convertible, coupé, estate | 7 ft 9 in | 70 mph | New grille |
| Minx Phase VII | 1953-54 | 1265 cc 4 cylinder side valve | 60,711 | saloon, convertible, coupé, estate | 7 ft 9 in | 69 mph | Bigger boot |
| Minx Phase VIII | 1954-57 | 1390 cc 4 cylinder overhead valve | 94,123 | saloon, convertible, coupé, estate | 7 ft 9 in | 74 mph | 15-inch wheels; early examples have previous engine |
| Minx Series I | 1956-57 | 1390 cc 4 cylinder overhead valve | 202,204 | saloon, convertible, estate | 8 ft 0 in | 78 mph | 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 | 8 ft 0 in | 78 mph | Minor styling change | |
| Minx Series III | 1958-59 | 1494 cc 4 cylinder overhead valve | 83,105 | saloon, convertible, estate | 8 ft 0 in | 77 mph | New grille |
| Minx Series IIIA, B | 1959-60, 60-61 | 1494 cc 4 cylinder overhead valve | 78,052 and 58,260 |
saloon, convertible, estate | 8 ft 0 in | 80 mph | 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 | 8 ft 0 in | 78 mph | No convertibles after mid 1962 |
| Super Minx Series I | 1961-62 | 1592 cc 4 cylinder overhead valve | n/a | saloon, convertible, estate | 8 ft 5 in | 82 mph | Long wheelbase Minx |
| Minx Series V | 1963-65 | 1592 cc 4 cylinder overhead valve | n/a | saloon | 8 ft 0 in | 77 mph | Front discs |
| Super Minx Series II | 1962-63 | 1592 cc 4 cylinder overhead valve | n/a | saloon, convertible, estate | 8 ft 5 in | 82 mph | Front discs |
| Super Minx Series III | 1964-65 | 1592 cc 4 cylinder overhead valve | n/a | saloon | 8 ft 5 in | 81 mph | All synchromesh gearbox |
| Minx Series VI | 1965-67 | 1725 cc 4 cylinder overhead valve | n/a | saloon | 8 ft 0 in | 82 mph | All synchromesh gearbox |
| Super Minx Series IV | 1964-65 | 1725 cc 4 cylinder overhead valve | n/a | saloon | 8 ft 5 in | 82 mph | |
| Hunter | 1966-79 | 1725 cc 4 cylinder overhead valve | 470,000 | saloon, estate | 8 ft 2 in | 90 mph | "Arrow" series shape, optional overdrive |
| New Minx | 1967-70 | 1496 cc 4 cylinder overhead valve | saloon, estate | 8 ft 2 in | 83 mph | Basic "Arrow" Hunter; 1725 cc engine optional on estates |
