Shortly before the outbreak of WW2, Hillman announced its first unitary construction saloon (chassis-less body), ‘the new Minx'.
Despite looking conventional the Minx featured the ‘Alligator' bonnet (being hinged at the rear), as well as the aforementioned unitary constructed body-shell.
The Minx had gained a reputation for dependability and ruggedness, and chosen by the War Office to be used as a staff car for military service, with variants of this model when converted becoming the useful ‘Tilly' (flat bed truck with canvas tilt), which actually allowed the Minx to remain in production throughout the war years.
The Ryton-on-Dunsmore factory outside Coventry was originally built in 1939 to manufacture aero engines in support of the war effort. The site was converted to a fully operational car factory in 1946 when the Rootes Group started full time car production again, comprising of Hillman, Humber , Sunbeam and Talbot marques to be manufactured.
Rootes were provided with a major advantage when the war ended due to their military production years, and in spite of the shortage of materials they were in a position to have a car in production by 1946.
Phase2_MinxFollowing the end of WW2, production of the civillian Minx resumed, it was basically the pre-war model with a slight uplift in front end styling, as seen in the picture left.
The most notable feature being that of the headlamps, these were now incorporated into the front wing panels.
Mechanical specification remained fairly primitive using the 35hp - 1185cc proven side valve engine, although this was fitted with a new type cylinder head and accessed to the engine compartment via the rear hinged alligator bonnet, arguably making maintenance tasks more accessible! However the Minx continued to use the Bendix Duo Servo cable braking system.
Rootes complemented their new saloon version of the Minx by introducing an attractive (if not rare!) drop-head coupe version, which along with a very useful estate completed the Minx range.
Despite looking conventional the Minx featured the ‘Alligator' bonnet (being hinged at the rear), as well as the aforementioned unitary constructed body-shell.
The Minx had gained a reputation for dependability and ruggedness, and chosen by the War Office to be used as a staff car for military service, with variants of this model when converted becoming the useful ‘Tilly' (flat bed truck with canvas tilt), which actually allowed the Minx to remain in production throughout the war years.
The Ryton-on-Dunsmore factory outside Coventry was originally built in 1939 to manufacture aero engines in support of the war effort. The site was converted to a fully operational car factory in 1946 when the Rootes Group started full time car production again, comprising of Hillman, Humber , Sunbeam and Talbot marques to be manufactured.
Rootes were provided with a major advantage when the war ended due to their military production years, and in spite of the shortage of materials they were in a position to have a car in production by 1946.
Phase2_MinxFollowing the end of WW2, production of the civillian Minx resumed, it was basically the pre-war model with a slight uplift in front end styling, as seen in the picture left.
The most notable feature being that of the headlamps, these were now incorporated into the front wing panels.
Mechanical specification remained fairly primitive using the 35hp - 1185cc proven side valve engine, although this was fitted with a new type cylinder head and accessed to the engine compartment via the rear hinged alligator bonnet, arguably making maintenance tasks more accessible! However the Minx continued to use the Bendix Duo Servo cable braking system.
Rootes complemented their new saloon version of the Minx by introducing an attractive (if not rare!) drop-head coupe version, which along with a very useful estate completed the Minx range.
Mr. Peters, salesman of Verkerk car company in Batavia, in a Hillman Minx 1939 in front of his office, around 1939 Dutch East Indies. The source of the photos is Karin Riper, who's mother worked for the firm in the late 1930s. She identified the Hillman as a Skoda Roadster but it is not although Verkerk may well have been an agent for Skoda
The
picture was possibly taken in the time of Japanese occupation era. The
car in the background is a British-made is a 1939/1940 Hillman Minx.
Sources :
http://www.classichillman.co.uk/
https://www.flickr.com/
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