Hillman Minx
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- For other uses, see Minx.
Hillman Minx<tr><td colspan=2> </tr>
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| Manufacturer: | Rootes Group<tr><th>Production:<td>1932-1970</tr><tr><th>Predecessor:<td>Hillman 14</tr><tr><th>Successor:<td>Hillman Hunter, Hillman Avenger</tr> |
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The Hillman Minx was a series of family-sized 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 Singer, Humber and Sunbeam marques.
For most of the 1960s the Minx and its derivatives were known as the "Audax" family. The final version of the Minx was the "Arrow" or "New Minx" launched in 1967, which was essentially a basic version of the Hillman Hunter in 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.
[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 coupe | 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 coupe | 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 coupe | 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 coupe, estate car(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 coupe, estate car( | 7 ft 9 in | 62 mph | Styling update |
| Minx | 1940-44 | 1185 cc 4 cylinder side valve | n/a | saloon, drophead coupe | 7 ft 9 in | 62 mph | Unitary construction, 12 volt, rear hinged bonnet, probably no coupes made. |
| Minx Phase I | 1945-47 | 1185 cc 4 cylinder side valve | n/a | saloon, drophead coupe, estate car | 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 coupe, estate car | 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 car | 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 car | 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 car | 7 ft 9 in | 73 mph | Minor changes. |
| Minx Phase VI | 1953 | 1265 cc 4 cylinder side valve | 44,643 | saloon, convertible, coupe, estate car | 7 ft 9 in | 70 mph | New grille. |
| Minx Phase VII | 1953-54 | 1265 cc 4 cylinder side valve | 60,711 | saloon, convertible, coupe, estate car | 7 ft 9 in | 69 mph | Bigger boot. |
| Minx Phase VIII | 1954-57 | 1390 cc 4 cylinder overhead valve | 94,123 | saloon, convertible, coupe, estate car | 7 ft 9 in | 74 mph | Early examples have old engine. 15-inch wheels. |
| Minx Series I | 1956-57 | 1390 cc 4 cylinder overhead valve | 202,204 | saloon, convertible, estate car | 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 car | 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 car | 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 car | 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 car | 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 car | 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. doesn't seem to have been a Series IV |
| Super Minx Series II | 1962-63 | 1592 cc 4 cylinder overhead valve | n/a | saloon, convertible, estate car | 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 car. | 8 ft 2 in | 90 mph | "Arrow" styling. Optional overdrive |
| New Minx | 1967-70 | 1496 cc 4 cylinder overhead valve | saloon, estate car. | 8 ft 2 in | 83 mph | Basic Hunter. 1725 cc engine optional on estates. |
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