Hillman Super Minx

Click Here for Full Screen Image - Click Here to Download Image

Hillman launched its first Minx way back in 1932 and a model with that mischievous name was to remain in production right up until 1970, going through a bewildering number of phases along the way.

‘An impudent, cunning or boldly flirtatious girl’ is how the dictionary defines it, adding, among less pleasant synonyms, ‘coquette’, ‘trollop’ and ‘tease’ (none of which really work with Hillman, although ‘hussy’ has an alliterative ring to it). As the name suggests, the Minx was traditionally a pert and dainty car, but as the years rolled by it developed some middle-aged spread (“quiet at the back please!”) and by 1961 a somewhat larger model was announced called the ‘Super Minx’ to ensure people knew of its loftier market positioning.

It was certainly in tune with the times, buyers becoming increasingly affluent and wanting more metal on which to expend their ballooning salaries. To cope with this extra bulk, the engine had grown to a 1.6-litre which produced 58bhp and could whisk madam to 86mph with a 0-60 time of 22 seconds, although the underpinnings remained much the same as on the lesser MkIII Minx.

This Super Minx has had seven owners since it first left the showroom in October 1962 and is offered for sale from a deceased estate having been purchased in 2014, since when it has barely turned a wheel. As can be the case with deceased estates, we have not been able to ascertain much of the car’s history, although can confirm that it is being sold with a V5C, two old MOTs and its current test ticket which expires in April 2017.

This great little starter classic needs to be assessed on its own merits and certainly looks well worth a close inspection. Its quality Rootes Group construction, good performance and svelte ‘60s transatlantic styling all add up to an interesting alternative to the more common Farina-bodied Austins, Morris’ and Ford Consuls which were its main competition at the time.