I guess for something to be forgotten, it has to be known about in the first place. I know what a Hillman Minx is, courtesy of a Lesney Matchbox car, but an Aero Minx was a new one for me. And I gather from what I have read, a new one for others too. “Sporting Cars“, back in a 1983 article, called the Aero Minx, such as our 1935 subject car, the “forgotten sports car”. So with that thought in mind, let’s see if we can jog some recollection. This Aero Minx is located in Kansas City, Missouri and is available, here on craigslist for $18,500. Thanks to MattR for this unique discovery.
Starting in late 1932, the Aero-Minx, based on the sedan-bodied Hillman Minx, a product of Britain’s Hillman Motor Car Company, went into production. The Aero featured a wheelbase that was four inches shorter than the H-M and had a ground clearance of 5.5″ as opposed to the sedan’s eight inches. The sheet metal was entirely different from that of the H-M with the initial body style being a fixed head coupe with a sideways back seat. Following, was a four-seat tourer, such as our subject car, and then finally a two-seat roadster. Records and details are sketchy but it appears that the last Aero Minx was assembled in 1935, as a ’36 model, and total production reached a mere 650 copies.
Not exactly a powerhouse, the Aero utilized a 1,200 CC, 41 HP, in-line, four-cylinder engine mated to a three four-speed manual gearbox. Regrettably, the seller did not include an engine image but does offer, “Runs good and drives pretty well“. Top speed is claimed to be between 68 and 78 MPH – not sure why there is the large variation, perhaps it’s dependent on the presence or lack of a headwind.
So, this Aero is a March LTD. (coachbuilder) bodied four-seater but the back seat looks more like a place to just throw stuff. It’s hard to imagine actually riding in what amounts to a flat-surfaced tiger pit – there’s a backrest but no seat bottom. The seller mentions that this car is composed of an aluminum body and steel fenders (wings) and that seems to be the case based on research that is available. Other than the flat finish and dull brightwork, the body is in straight shape with no indication of rust or damage – it looks complete. And no, the bumpers aren’t missing, there weren’t any prescribed.
As for the right-hand drive interior, the seats clearly look to have been reupholstered but the remainder has a typical 1935 British sports car austere look about itself. The footwells show as being “unsettled” and that gear shift appears to have an exposed lever mechanism – that’s a bit different. Of note, it appears that turn signals have been added if I have correctly identified the mechanism attached to the left side of the steering column.
If you’re looking for rarity, something a bit different than an MG, Morgan, or an early Triumph, here you go – this one will fit that bill. Parts? That could be another matter though the mechanical bits are probably interchangeable with the Hillman Minx, a model that is quite a bit more common. Things like fenders and the grille are probably another matter entirely. I would be interested to know if anyone has familiarity with the Aero-Minx, and if so, is there anything else that you can add?
I can’t imagine needed parts would be easy to come by, given the rarity of the car.
The double curve cowl certainly is an interesting design feature.
OK, can add a few things to that. The most important being that if this is a March body, it is extremely desirable. The “March” in question was car crazy “freddy March, who became the Duke of Richmond and inherited the Goodwood estate. Post WW2 he opened the Goodwood Motor Racing circuit (horse racing had taken place on the estate for 100 years already, continues to ths day).
So when you watch videos of current Goodwood Revival, the current Earl of March is the grandson of Freddy March, and all of Goodwood´s motor racing heritage traces back to his grandfather who started the March coachbuilding company in the early 1930s before inheriting his title/estate. The company didn´t build many cars, specialised in AC and Lancia chassis, but had an elegant line and very collectable.
So with that backstory, this is worth more than $18500. As for the car itself, this is the very early days of the Rootes Brothers transition from big car dealers to manufacturers, which lasted until Chrysler bought them out about 1966. They bought existing brands, Hillman being the first (and entry level), then added Singer, Sunbeam, Humber so that they had a spread of brands, increasingly badge engineered like GM.
This looks mainly complete. Anything missing can be found or made. Mechanically Hillman Minx parts would be available from UK club/specialist. No ball of fire, this was a tourer, not a sports car.
Martin – thank you for all the info; very enlightening, didn’t know all that.
http://cluster7.website-staging.uk/hillmanaerominx.co.uk/the-aero-minx/#&gid=1&pid=1
Above is the full story, if you are interested, Steve. Basically this is a nice little survivor which looks mainly original and a good buy for someone at this price!
Martin,
Thanks for the full story; I definitely will read it.
Back in my young and dumb days I would have inadvertently tried to commit suicide in this by trying to cram a V8 in it and street race it.
Now it just looks like something fun to get running and driving around to enjoy
They are VERY rare. I am only aware of this one and possibly three more in the US. I own one of those – another 1935 Aero Minx Open Tourer like this one that I have owned for 25+ years now. The International Aero Minx Registry only knows of perhaps a dozen or so of the Open Tourers worldwide (they actually were made in 4 or 5 other AM body styles. Mine is a HOOT to drive and causes even long time British car guys to scratch their heads and ask what it is every time I show her! Happy to share a pic or two for anyone interested in AMs.
Lynn:
Thx for your comments. Sure, please respond and include an image of yours.
JO
How to respond with a photo(s)?
You can attach a jpeg to your next response, note the directions below which are located right above the comment box:
Attach Image (Allowed file types: jpg, gif, maximum file size: 8MB.
JO
file:///Users/lynnfaulkner/Downloads/1935%20Aero%20Minx%20Open%20Tourer.jpg
To attach a picture of the Minx you have to become a Member.
I guess I didn’t change it in time of this publication but this car is not a three speed but a 4 speed, and a fully syndromesh.
I thought that as that’s what the research indicated but I didn’t want to go against the listing detail. I’ll change it in my post.
Thx,
JO
Interesting to note the asymmetric doors: driver’s door has a lower cut to make room for the driver’s elbow in spirited steering.
And that’s why I love this website.
Thanks Martin, the only reason I put up with the rubbish for sale on this site, is cars like this, and guys like you.
Thank you for your kind words. I tend to cherrypick myself!
I usually use a leaf blower in the interior before I put a car up for sale.
does seller have side curtains or soft top ?
please give wheelbase and track measurements.
88″wheelbase
48.5″ track
In the 1930s, Aero Minxes of this same exact body design were used as police cars in the UK! The constabularies of at least Caernarvonshire, Denbighshire and Southend had AMs driving around as official police cars. I have several photographs with uniformed Constables driving in Aero Minxes!
Would love to see pictures of AM police cars. They used MGB/GTs as police cars also, not sure where, though.