Quiz time: Hillman started as: a) a sewing machine company; b) a bicycle company; or c) a car company. Actually all of these are partially correct, with the three forms of machinery tied together by the same man, William Hillman. The car company was founded as Hillman-Coatalen in 1907, with headquarters at Ryton-on-Dunsmore near Coventry. In the 1920s, William and Reginald Rootes managed to acquire control of Hillman, a sneaky maneuver that spelled the end of the company’s independence. The merged company’s first successful product was the Minx, launched in 1931. In an early version of model differentiation, the Minx Magnificent emerged – a slightly tweaked, luxury variant, with more space in the cabin, a few available accessories, and an all-synchro gearbox. The pre-war Magnificent was made from 1935 to 1937; after WWII, the badge was resurrected, weirdly losing its first-gear synchro! Today’s Minx Magnificent is a rare pre-war drophead coupe, offered here on eBay for $12,000. This car is represented by a dealer located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, and we owe thanks to Driven By Faith Restorations for sending in this tip!
Hillman’s 1185 cc in-line four cylinder powers this Magnificent, to the tune of about 33 bhp. One source estimated the zero to fifty time at about half a minute and top speed at around 59 mph, so perhaps a 60 mph time is simply not observable! It took until 1949 for the Minx model’s tiny engine to acquire another 80 ccs of displacement. Output rose all the way to 37.5 hp, and top speed finally broke 60, but it still took the Hillman almost 40 seconds to get there. Back to our subject car – the seller notes that this four-banger does turn. The air cleaner and the top to the fuse box are missing – no doubt there’s another couple items MIA as well.
Behind the suicide doors, the door cap and panels, rear seats, and wood dash have been restored. That’s a start! This is a true drophead, with a three-position top: fully open, fully closed, and at the “landau” position covering only the rear seats. The canvas is rotted, but the landau irons are in place; the rear window is glass. The rubber mats are in sad shape, and the seller notes that the underside of the car is rusty – those floors should be inspected. If it’s not cute enough at first glance, a wind-out windshield, rotary hood release, and trafficators pile on the charm.
See that boot lid? It’s a first for Hillman! The 1935 Hillman looked like this, with nary a boot lid in sight. The trim is present, though whether those bumpers are correct is questionable. If you find the Minx Magnificent drophead quirky, check out this 1938 roadster with rumble seat – talk about a difficult project! Like all quirky, rare, charming cars, value is a matter of passion. Would you be willing to put this Minx back in order?
I can see where one of these would be lots of fun but not for the asking price. When I see primer on the door bottoms and no underside shots I tend to think you aren’t going to just slap paint on it and drive off into the sunset.
From the pictures this looks like a kids toy.
Anyone agree ?
I agree, Casey however at least the pictures were taken in a positive environment….. not a dirty garage or barn with stuff all over the place like many of these ‘finds’ have! The seats were covered with new style covers probably because that ‘Old English Leather’ was not too workable or looked so good….
I totally agree with you. The pictures look professionally
done. Very nice ! I really like them.
This is the coolest vehicle featured on BF in months.
Talk about a rarity let alone its age! Parts obviously would need to be hand made! Since this is represented by a dealer, the owner will probably see half that number or less. Its not in my wheelhouse for 12K, however it looks to be an interesting vehicle…
LEFT HAND DRIVE!! Who could imagine such a machine would even exist?? What a shame it is so seriously over-priced that it’s not likely to fall into the hands of someone who will at least preserve, if not restore it.
this car is not in primer! look close that is dirt. so if the rust on bottom of car can be fixed the price is right. think about putting a honda motor in it and it would be fast.
To my English eyes, this car sits higher than I would expect (which is maybe just the off-road tyres). Perhaps it is a “Colonial” model which was expected to meet rougher roads in India, Africa, Far East. If that theory holds, maybe the car was first supplied to Canada….
So interesting but an optimistic valuation. If it was in the UK, it might bring $6000 and you might find a Hillman enthusiast who would restore it. But they wouldn´t pay this asking price. You´ll find mechanical spares with the appropriate UK owners group and bodily it doesn´t seem to need much.
I had a Hillman Husky. It was a very mini “station wagon” with a full width, side hinged “ambulance door” at the rear. Not running when I bought it, I rebuilt the small four cylinder engine. Then driving it from Brooklyn, NY to Brentwood, Long Island, so my young brother-in-law could work on the body and paint it, I realized what a mistake it was to have acquired the car. It was a noisy little thing. I sold it for $200 before he wasted any time on it. That was around 1985.
Awesome! $4500 tops!