Myth Buster
Debunking the most common old wives’ tales
Hillman Hunter (Arrow)
1 THE LAST CAR TO BE CALLED THE MINX
The Arrow version of the Hillman Minx was a downgraded and cheaper variant of the Hillman Hunter, built from 1967 to 1970 (when it became the Hunter De Luxe). While it was the last Rootes car to carry the Minx name, the title did re-appear in 1984 on two ‘family’ successors, the Talbot Alpine and Solara, albeit purely as a trim level. The Rapier moniker was also simultaneously revived for use on the Talbots in their final few years.
2 IT ONLY HAD THE 1496cc ENGINE
One feature that marked the Minx out from the Hunter was its 1496cc engine, as opposed to the 1725cc unit of its posher sister – unless a buyer chose the automatic transmission, in which case the 1725cc motor WAS fitted. But you couldn’t have the 1.7 with a manual ‘box. That changed in 1968 – more about that year to come – when both engines became options on the Minx, even if the driver did chose to personally shift the cogs. It was probably just as confusing then as it is now.
3 THE ESTATE WASN’T CALLED A MINX
And yet more confusion. Following established Rootes tradition stretching back many years, the load-lugging version of the Minx was initially just called the Hillman Estate Car. It was trimmed to Minx levels and effectively the same as the Minx saloon, albeit with a box on the rear, but didn’t have any badging to this effect. But then, in 1968, the Minx name was belatedly applied. As you can see from our images, otherwise identical Rootes advertising from 1967 and 1968 showed the transition.