Hillman Minx
ENGINE 1494cc/4-cyl/OHV POWER 49bhp@4400rpm TORQUE 78lb ft@2100rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 82mph 0-60MPH 26sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 24-30mpg TRANSMISSION RWD, four-speed manual MoT 12 months from sale ODOMETER 32,727 miles
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
This ‘Audax’ Hillman is loaded with period charm, yet feels surprisingly agile on the road. The steering has very little play and the car feels rock-steady. There’s enough acceleration to keep up with modern traffic, and the car is more than happy to cruise at 60mph. The notchy gearchange is a cinch to use, the clutch is light and the brakes are up to the task, bringing the car to a halt promptly without any pulling to either side. In short, most people would probably be surprised at how driveable this car is.
BODYWORK CHECK
There doesn’t seem to be a drop of paint on this car that wasn’t there when it left the Rootes factory, and the green coachwork has survived remarkably well. The car looks extremely sound underneath, the door bottoms are excellent and there are no serious dents or ripples anywhere on the car. There are some tiny surface rust patches on the car’s flanks – which are a result of storage rather than neglect – plus an honest scrape on the offside rear wing, but none of this
EXTERIOR
Great original condition Minor surface rust
INTERIOR
Wonderful and original
MECHANICALS
Runs well, but not much history detracts from the car’s overall appearance. You could respray the car to produce a showwinner, but that would be a shame, given its originality. The chrome is in generally good order, as are the wheels, tyres and glass.
HOW’S THE INTERIOR?
It’s a 1961 dream in here; the seats and headlining are absolutely as new. All of the dashboard instruments gleam and everything appears to work as it should. The big steering wheel is in pristine order, the door trims are unmarked and the carpets, while slightly faded, are again in good condition. The pedant may choose to point out that the edging around the driver’s door shut is worn, but
that really is the sum total of the major flaws in here.
UNDER THE BONNET
Again it’s a happy situation. The engine and transmission appear to run extremely well and there are no overheating or leakage problems. The fluids are all topped up and look clean and there’s no rot anywhere in the engine bay. All the wiring and pipework looks good and there are no obvious problems with the suspension. However, a closer look under the bonnet does reveal one omission – there’s no heater fitted.
THE CCW VIEW
This really is a lovely car that marque aficionados will find difficult to resist. Its appeal lies mainly in the fact that Rootes cars of this era seem to be positively loaded with charm, but it’s extremely usable, too. It isn’t perfect and doesn’t have a vast service history, but its general condition speaks for itself and it’s original right down to the Hills numberplates. One, perhaps, to preserve as it is rather than over-restoring it. The price is tempting, too.
PROS Original unmolested charm, low mileage, price CONS Imperfect body/paint, no heater
BUY IT FROM Keyworth Classics, Keyworth, Nottinghamshire NG12 5BL 07787 562950/07746 293829, 0115 691 9556