Humber 10

Hillman Minx

Company type	Automobile model
Industry	Automotive
Founded	1 October 1931
Fate	Discontinued in 1970
Successor	Hillman Hunter De Luxe
Products	Mid-size family cars (saloon, estate, coupé)

Pre-WWII Minx

The initial Hillman Minx was introduced on 1 October 1931 as a traditional mid-size family automobile, featuring a pressed-steel body mounted on a separate frame and powered by a 30 bhp 1185 cc engine equipped with cushioned power mountings. In 1934, it received an upgrade to a four-speed gearbox along with a refreshed exterior design that included a V-shaped grille. By 1935, the Minx became the pioneering mass-produced vehicle to offer an all-synchromesh transmission across all forward gears. This model, engineered under the guidance of Rootes' technical director Captain John Samuel Irving and Alfred Herbert Wilde, demonstrated advanced automotive technology for its time.

The 1936 iteration, renamed the Minx Magnificent, introduced a more streamlined body shape, a reinforced chassis, and repositioned engine placement to enhance interior space. The rear panel was designed with a slope, and an optional folding luggage rack was available. Additionally, a Commer-branded estate version broadened the lineup.

The last pre-war edition launched in 1938 preserved the Magnificent’s styling with subtle modifications such as external access to the luggage compartment and a grille redesigned in pressed alloy. It was offered in two trim variants: the basic "Safety" featuring simple rexine upholstery without opening front quarter windows, and the more upscale De Luxe with leather seating and added comfort amenities. The 1939 model brought significant mechanical improvements including a new gearbox, differential, half shafts, and steering box; despite its similar outward appearance to the 1938 version, parts interchangeability was limited.

Wartime Minx

Throughout World War II, British manufacturers focused on producing utilitarian load-carrying vehicles known as Car, Light Utility or "Tilly", which later evolved into experimental models like the Hillman Gnat. Hillman’s adaptation was the Hillman 10HP, which utilized a Minx chassis fitted with a two-seat cab and an enclosed cargo area. The standard saloon version was also produced for military purposes and essential civilian use between 1940 and 1944.

Operators

• British Army, RAF

Minx Mark I to VIII (1945–1957)

The postwar Minx Mark I (1945–47) maintained the prewar 1185 cc side-valve engine, wheelbase, and general shape but incorporated a protruding boot that mirrored the emerging three-box design trend. The Mark II followed in 1947–48 with only minor refinements.

Introduced in 1948, the Mark III presented saloon, estate, and drophead coupé body styles while retaining the same engine capacity and output of 35 bhp. The subsequent Mark IV of 1949 featured an enlarged 1265 cc engine delivering 37.5 bhp. A tested Mark IV saloon achieved a top speed of 67 mph and was priced at £505 including taxes.

The Mark V model released in 1951 added side chrome trims and relocated the handbrake to the floor. In 1953, the Mark VI incorporated a redesigned grille, modified combustion chambers, and adopted a two-spoke steering wheel. This version also debuted the two-door hardtop Hillman Minx Californian featuring an innovative window configuration.

The Mark VII (1953) introduced extended rear mudguards and an expanded boot space. The Mark VIII (1954) upgraded powertrain technology with a new overhead valve 1390 cc engine that later powered the "Audax series" Minxes starting from 1956.

During the early 1950s, Hillman briefly marketed Minxes in the United States targeting consumers interested in fuel economy; however, these models received only moderate reviews.

Between 1953 and 1956, Isuzu manufactured Marks VI through VIII in Japan under the name Isuzu Hillman Minx, preceding their own Bellel model launched in 1961.

Rootes Australia produced a two-door coupé utility variant of the Mark VIII called the Hillman de luxe Utility circa 1956.

Audax design Hillman Minx (Series I to Series VI, 1956–1967)

The Rootes Group crafted the Audax body style with contributions from Raymond Loewy’s design firm, renowned for its work on Studebaker coupés. Introduced in May 1956, the vehicle received yearly updates identified by series numbers: Series I (1956), II (1957), III (1958), IIIA (1959), IIIB (1960), IIIC (1961), V (1963), and VI (1965); notably, there was no Series IV. Engine displacement expanded from 1390 cc in initial versions to 1725 cc by the Series VI iteration. Transmission choices comprised manual gearboxes with either column or floor-mounted shifters, alongside automatic systems: Lockheed Manumatic semi-automatic transmissions on Series I and II; Smiths Easidrive—the first mass-produced dual-clutch gearbox—featured in Series III; and Borg Warner automatics fitted to Series V and VI models. The Series VI introduced a fully synchromesh transmission.

A 1958 road test of the Series III deLuxe saloon powered by a 1494 cc engine recorded a maximum speed of 76.9 mph, acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 25.4 seconds, and fuel efficiency of 31.8 mpg (imperial). The price stood at £794, inclusive of £265 tax.

Models under the Singer Gazelle and Sunbeam Rapier brands mirrored these specifications within the Rootes Arrow platform. Certain export versions were rebranded as Sunbeam or Humber vehicles.

In New Zealand, Todd Motors marketed badge-engineered versions named Humber 80 and Humber 90—based respectively on the Minx and Super Minx—to provide Humber dealerships with compact alternatives alongside larger Hawks and Super Snipes assembled locally. The Humber 80 was distinguished by its unique horizontal bar grille.

In Australia, the Series Va launched in 1965 featured an upgraded 1592 cc engine paired with the all-synchromesh gearbox later standard on the Series VI.

From 1956 until 1964, Isuzu Motors manufactured the Audax Minx under license in Japan as the Isuzu Hillman Minx. During this timeframe, Isuzu also developed a distinctive estate model known as the Hillman Express.

Super Minx (1961–1967)

Debuting in late 1961, the Hillman Super Minx was originally planned as a successor to the Minx Series III. Nevertheless, the Series III was replaced by the Series V in 1963, while the Super Minx was launched as an independent yet related variant.

New Minx (1967–1970)

The New Minx took over from the Series VI in 1967, serving as a lower-specification version of the Hillman Hunter. Offered in both saloon and estate formats, it initially came equipped with a 54 bhp 1496 cc four-cylinder engine. In 1968, a more potent 61 bhp 1725 cc engine became available. This model was eventually succeeded by the Hillman Hunter De Luxe in 1970.

Models

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Type	Year	Engine	Approx. production	Body types	Wheelbase	Max speed	Notes
Minx	1932–33	1185 cc 4-cylinder side-valve	n/a	tourer, sports tourer, 4 light saloon, 6 light saloon, drophead coupé	92 in (2,337 mm)	62 mph (100 km/h)	Bendix brakes, wire wheels, 3-speed gearbox
Minx	1934	1185 cc 4-cylinder side-valve	n/a	tourer, sports tourer, 4 light saloon, 6 light saloon, drophead coupé	92 in (2,337 mm)	62 mph (100 km/h)	Equipped with a 4-speed gearbox
Minx Magnificent	1936–37	1185 cc 4-cylinder side-valve	n/a	tourer, sports tourer, saloon, drophead coupé, estate (1937)	93 in (2,362 mm)	62 mph (100 km/h)	New chassis design with forward-shifted engine; pressed steel wheels
Hunter	1966–79	1725 cc 4-cylinder overhead-valve	470,000	saloon, estate	98 inches (2,500 mm)	90 miles per hour (140 km/h)	"Arrow" series styling; optional overdrive available
New Minx	1967–70	1496 cc and optional 1725 cc I4 (estate)			saloon, estate	98 inches (2,500 mm)	83 miles per hour (134 km/h)	Entry-level "Arrow" Hunter derivative; lower specification model

Scale Models

• Meccano produced the Dinky Toys No. 154 (1954–58), representing the Minx Mark I to VIII in roughly O scale (1:44).
• The Meccano Dinky Toys No. 175 (1958–61) featured the Hillman Minx Series I at about O scale (1:44).
• Triang Spot-On released the Hillman Minx Series V in a 1:42 scale.

External links

• Original 1939 Hillman sales brochure
• Isuzu’s initial Minx Mark VI fresh from production
• Dedicated Hillman Minx website
• Official Rootes-Chrysler website