Hillman Minx

Hillman Minx
Hillman Minx Series V
Overview
Manufacturer	Hillman (Rootes Group)
Production	1931–70
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size / Large family car (D)
Body style	4-door saloon 2-door coupé 2-door convertible 2-door standard estate 2-door short wheelbase estate 2-door van 2-door coupé utility
Chronology
Predecessor	Hillman 14
Successor	Hillman Hunter Hillman Avenger

Hillman Minx 1932
Hillman Minx 1932: the early Minx was a conservatively designed car

Hillman Minx Mark I to VIII
Hillman Minx Mark VIII 4-Door Saloon
Overview
Also called	Hillman Estate Car Humber 10
Production	1945–56
Assembly	United Kingdom Japan (by Isuzu) Australia, Todd Industries Ltd, Petone, Wellington
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door saloon 3-door estate 2-door convertible 2-door hardtop 2-door coupé utility
Related	Hillman Husky Commer Light Pick-up Commer Express Delivery Van Commer Cob
Powertrain
Engine	1,185 cc I4 1,265 cc I4 1,390 cc I4

Hillman Minx Series I to Series VI
Hillman Minx Series IIIC Saloon
Overview
Also called	Sunbeam Minx Humber 80
Production	1956–67
Assembly	United Kingdom Japan Australia New Zealand
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door saloon 2-door convertible 4-door estate
Related	Commer Cob Hillman Gazelle Hillman Husky Singer Gazelle Sunbeam Rapier
Powertrain
Engine	1,390 cc I4 1,494 cc I4 1,592 cc I4 1,725 cc I4
Chronology
Successor	Hillman New Minx

Hillman Super Minx
Hillman Super Minx Mark IV Saloon

Hillman New Minx
Hillman New Minx
Overview
Also called	Sunbeam Minx
Production	1967–70
Assembly	United Kingdom
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door saloon 4-door estate
Related	Hillman Hunter Singer New Gazelle
Powertrain
Engine	1496 cc I4 1725 cc I4
Chronology
Predecessor	Hillman Minx Series VI
Successor	Hillman Hunter

The Hillman Minx is a mid-sized family car which was produced by Hillman from 1931 to 1970. There have been many versions of the Minx over this period, as well as badge-engineered variants sold by Humber, Singer, and Sunbeam.

From the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s, the Minx and its derivatives were the greatest-volume sellers of the "Audax" family of cars from Rootes, which also included the Singer Gazelle and Sunbeam Rapier. 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 1496-cc 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, from 1954 to 1965, there was also a short-wheelbase estate, the Hillman Husky, and a van derivative known as the Commer Cob.

The Minx model name was revived briefly – along with the "Rapier" 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 its takeover of the Rootes Group.

The original Minx was announced to the forewarned (in August) public 1 October 1931. It was straightforward and conventional with a pressed-steel body on separate chassis and 30 bhp 1185 cc engine producing cushioned power. It was upgraded with a four-speed transmission in 1934 and a styling upgrade, most noticeably a slightly V-shaped grille. For 1935 the range was similar except that synchromesh was added to all forward gears and this Minx became the first mass-produced car with an all synchromesh gearbox. it was designed by Rootes' technical director Captain John Samuel Irving (1880-1953) designer of Sunbeam aero engines and Sunbeam's Golden Arrow in conjunction with Alfred Herbert Wilde, (1891-1930) recently chief engineer of Standard and designer of the Standard Nine.