Marque: Hillman - Company History & Models - Cars By Brand

Hillman

In Coventry a century ago the first cars to bear the Hillman name were being produced as Hillman-Coatalens, since Louis Coatalen designed the first examples. Early production included lusty four-cylinder 6.4-litre and six-cylinder 9.7-litre models, but the 9hp Hillman (built until 1925) was sold in much greater numbers, and sports versions were competitive in motor-sport. The larger Hillman Fourteen…

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Hillman Hillaman Avenger

RATING:

8 / 10

PRICE: Avenger: £100 - £1500; GT/GLS: £200 - £2000+; Tiger: £500 - £4000+

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Fast Facts

Produced:
1970-81
Bodywork:
Two and four-door saloons five-door estates
Engine:
Overhead valve in-line four-cylinder 1250 (1970-73): 1248cc 53bhp; 1500 (1970-73) :1498cc 63bhp (GT/GLS 78bhp); 1300 (1973-81): 1295cc 57bhp (GT 69bhp); 1600 (1973-81): 1599cc 69bhp; (GT/GLS 81bhp); Tiger: 1498cc Mk I (1972) 92bhp; Mk II (1972-73) 107bhp
0-60 mph:
1250/1300: 16-18 sec; 1500/1600: 14-16+ sec (GT/GLS 11.5+ sec) Tiger: Mk I 9 sec; Mk II 8.5+ sec
Top Speed:
1250/1300: 80-87 mph; 1500: 87 -93 mph (GT/GLS 98 -100 mph); Tiger: Mk I 103 -105 mph
MPG:
1250/1300: 27-35; Tiger: 22-29

The last true all-new Rootes car, the Avenger was one of the most competent, enjoyable British-built saloons of the 1970s, with first class handling and roadholding, sprightly performance and generous interior space. Interesting versions include the quad headlamp, high spec 1500 GL and the 1500GT. This was powered by an uprated 1498cc engine, and was pretty fast for its time. The spacious five-door Avenger estates (from March 1972), are useful load carriers, with a 60 cubic feet load capacity and heavy-duty rear suspension. The 1972 Tiger boasted twin Weber DCOE carburettors, a modified cylinder head and a sports exhaust, plus wider Minilite road wheels. Mark II versions produced 107bhp and a was a real Lotus Cortina rival on the cheap. Late Avengers were face lifted on the cheap… and badged as Chryslers.

Hillman (Post War) Hillman Minx To 1948

RATING:

6 / 10

PRICE: Saloon/estate: £500 - £3000+; Tourer: £2000 - £6000

Fast Facts

Produced:
1946-48
Bodywork:
Four-door saloon; two-door tourer estate
Engine:
Sidevalve in-line; four-cylinder 1184cc 35bhp
Top Speed:
65+ mph
MPG:
30-40

Well worth a look as a practical, interesting classic for a family. Rare (especially early ones), Hillman’s Minx saloon once sold in healthy numbers and provided solid, reliable motoring in the mid-range family car market of its time. Many are unaware that significant features on some of the first cars included a standard-fit car radio (in the ‘Melody Minx’ of 1932), and all-synchromesh gearboxes (but only fitted between 1935 and 1939). Post-War cars look generally similar to their predecessors, but had more power. We reckon Minx is an overlooked, undervalued classic, which is good news if you are buying as prices are generally affordable.

Hillman Hillman Hunter (‘Arrow’ Range)

RATING:

8 / 10

PRICE: Hunter/Minx: £300 - £1500; GT/GLS: £500 - £2500

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Fast Facts

Produced:
1966-79
Bodywork:
Four-door saloon; Five-door estate
Engine:
Overhead valve in-line four-cylinder
0-60 mph:
1500/1725: 13-17.5+ sec; 1725 GLS: 9.5 sec
Top Speed:
85 - 105 mph
MPG:
22-35
Power:
1496cc: 54bhp; 1725cc: 61bhp (later cars 74bhp);1725cc: GT 82bhp/ GLS 95bhp

Aimed right at the Cortina, which launched its Mk2 at the same time, the angular Arrow range is a worthy yet underrated rival. The most desirable versions are the Rapierengined but Minx-based GT and the hot Holbay racing tuned GLS. The lineup initially comprised just the Hunter and more opulent Singer versions (although there was also a rare-spotted Sunbeam for a short while). A new Hillman Minx joined these in January 1967, featuring the Hunter/Vogue body shell and Rootes’ new 1489cc engine. Spacious estate versions from April 1967. A decade later - and by now grossly outdated - the cars were redesignated Chryslers then Talbots.

Hillman Imp

RATING:

6 / 10

PRICE: Imp: £200 - £2000; Californian: £300-£2500

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Fast Facts

Produced:
1963-76
Bodywork:
Two-door saloon; Three-door estate and van
Engine:
Overhead camshaft in-line four-cylinder 875cc 39bhp (50bhp Sport)
0-60 mph:
23.5 sec
Top Speed:
80+ mph
MPG:
35-45

One of the most innovative small cars of the 1960s, providing eager performance and good fuel consumption (courtesy of the Coventry-Climax developed overhead camshaft alloy engine), compliant ride quality, excellent traction and positive handling. Sadly unreliability in early examples tarnished the model’s image and ruined any success like the Mini. Offbeat variants included the fastback Californian and the Husky estate. Another variant worth finding is the well-equipped, limited edition Imp Caledonian of 1975. Imp production came to an end in the spring of 1976. A worthy Mini rival and good fun, especially the 50bhp Sport spin-off.

Hillman Hillman Minx (‘Series’ Cars)

RATING:

8 / 10

PRICE: Saloon/estate: £300 - £2000+; Convertible: £1000 - £3500

Fast Facts

Produced:
1956-66
Bodywork:
Four-door saloon two-dr tourer three/five-dr estates
Engine:
Overhead valve in-line four-cylinder Series I/II: 1390cc 48bhp; Series III: 1494cc 49bhp; Series IIIC/V: 53bhp; Series VI: 59bhp
0-60 mph:
Series I/II: 27+ sec; Series III/IIIC/V: 26+ sec; Series VI: 20+ sec
Top Speed:
Series I-III: 75+ mph; Series IIIC/V: 80 mph; Series VI: 85 mph
MPG:
24-30+

Fresh-faced styling met everyday practicality when the ‘Series’ Minxes arrived. Their trademark, sharply wrap-around rear windows and unique, prominent grille swere very different for British cars in the 1950s; these features remain attractive today for many. Rare and sought-after today are the convertibles, while scarce but still generally cheap are the estates. Three door Husky ‘utility’ models (which provided the platform for the Alpine) are less elaborate than the Minx estates, but are just as charming.

Hillman Hillman Minx ‘Mark’ Models, 1948 TO 1957

RATING:

8 / 10

PRICE: Saloon/estate: £500 - £3000+; Tourer: £2000 - £6000

Fast Facts

Produced:
1948-57
Bodywork:
Four-door saloon; two-door fixedhead coupe & estate
Engine:
Mark III-VII: Sidevalve in-line four-cylinder; Mark VIII/VIIIA: Overhead valve in-line four-cylinder; Mark III: 1184cc 35bhp; Mark IV-VII: 1265cc 37.5bhp; Mark VIII/VIIIA: 1390cc 43bhp
0-60 mph:
29-40+ sec
Top Speed:
65- 75+ mph
MPG:
30-40

By contrast with earlier Minxes, the Mark IIIs of 1948 are far more modern in appearance, looking more like miniature versions of contemporary American saloons. The model was continuously developed through successive ‘Mark’ versions, until May 1956, when the Mark VIII eventually gave way to the new ‘Series’ range of cars.Worth tracking down if you can find one are the ultra scarce Convertible, the two-tone ‘Gay Look (??-ed!)’ model and the hardtop Californian. Estate versions are also very rarely encountered these days. Rust and scarcity of parts are the main worry with these Hillmans because mechanically these cars go on forever.

Hillman Hillman Super Minx

RATING:

6 / 10

PRICE: Saloon/estate: £300 - £2000+; Convertible: £1000 - £5000+

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Fast Facts

Produced:
1961-66
Bodywork:
Four-door saloon; two-door convertible; five-door estate
Engine:
Overhead valve in-line four-cylinder Mark I/II/III: 1592cc Mark I 62bhp; Mark II 58bhp; Mark IV: 1725cc 65bhp
0-60 mph:
18-22+ sec
Top Speed:
85 mph
MPG:
23-30+

Offering greater interior space and a bigger boot than the normal ‘Series’ Hillman Minx models, the Super Minx still makes an excellent family classic. No more expensive to buy and to run, the Super Minx is even more distinctive than the standard Minx; just one unusual feature is the positioning of the ‘eyebrow’ sidelamps/indicator units above the headlamps. DIY is easy too, courtesy of Hillman’s orthodox construction. Even more practical than the saloons are the five-door estate versions with their flat-floored load deck and split tailgate. Four-seater Super Minx Convertible is the first cabrio as we now know them and are bcoming quite sort after.

Hillman Husky

RATING:

4 / 10

Fast Facts

Produced:
1956-1965
Engine:
1390 cc S4 OHV 47.5bhp @4400 rpm
0-60 mph:
17 secs
Top Speed:
74 mph
MPG:
29 mpg

Smooth, refined, luxurious – the Hillman Husky was none of these but it was an utterly dependable workhorse. Introduced in 1956, the Husky was basically an swb two-door version of the Minx estate, with a side-hinged rear door. Incredibly basic such luxuries as ‘ashtray’ and ‘main beam warning lamp’ were on the options list but the cars were a firm favourite with the MOD and rural constabularies alike! The Husky was progressively upgraded in line with the Minx range, the 1963 models having the Series VI Minx grille and amber front indicators. A van derivative known as the Commer Cob was basically a Husky sans side windows and rear seat and ran parallel to it until both ceased production in 1965. The Husky name was briefly revived for the 1967-1970 estate-car version of the Hillman Imp.

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