Humber 80
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1 October 1931 |
| Products | Automobiles |
Pre-WWII Minx
The initial Hillman Minx debuted on 1 October 1931 as a traditional mid-sized family automobile, characterized by a pressed-steel body mounted on a separate frame and powered by a 30 bhp 1185 cc engine with vibration-dampening mounts. In 1934, the model was upgraded with a four-speed gearbox and a redesigned V-shaped front grille. By 1935, it became the pioneering mass-produced vehicle equipped with a fully synchromesh transmission, developed under the guidance of Rootes' technical director Captain John Samuel Irving alongside Alfred Herbert Wilde.
In 1936, the car was rebranded as the Minx Magnificent and introduced a rounded body style featuring a reinforced chassis and repositioned engine to enhance interior space. Additionally, an estate version was launched under the Commer brand.
The last pre-war iteration in 1938 offered two trim levels: the entry-level Safety model with rexine upholstery and the more upscale De Luxe featuring leather seats and extra comfort amenities. The 1939 update brought significant mechanical enhancements to the drivetrain—including improvements to the gearbox, differential, half shafts, and steering box—and replaced the earlier composite grille with one made from pressed alloy.
Wartime Minx
Throughout World War II, British manufacturers focused on producing straightforward Utility vehicles such as the Car, Light Utility or "Tilly". Hillman’s contribution was the Hillman 10HP, which utilized the Minx chassis combined with a two-seat cab and an enclosed cargo area. The standard saloon model continued production from 1940 until 1944 to support military operations and essential civilian transportation.
Operators
Minx Mark I to VIII (1945–1957)
The postwar Mark I Minx (1945–47) preserved the prewar 1185 cc side-valve engine and wheelbase but adopted a protruding boot design that reflected the growing popularity of three-box styling. The Mark II (1947–48) brought minor updates.
With the introduction of the Mark III in 1948, a more contemporary appearance was offered across saloon, estate, and drophead coupé variants, while maintaining the same engine displacement and power output of 35 bhp. In 1949, the Mark IV increased engine capacity to 1265 cc, boosting power to 37.5 bhp. A Mark IV saloon tested that year achieved a top speed of 67 mph and fuel efficiency of 32.1 mpg (imperial), priced at £505 including taxes.
The Mark V (1951) added chrome side trim and relocated the handbrake to the floor. The Mark VI (1953) featured a redesigned grille, updated combustion chambers, and a two-spoke steering wheel. This generation also introduced the Hillman Minx Californian—a two-door hardtop coupé distinguished by its wrap-around rear window design. The Mark VII (1953) incorporated extended rear mudguards and an enlarged boot.
In 1954, the Mark VIII debuted with a new overhead valve 1390 cc engine that would later be used in the initial "Audax series" Minxes. During the early 1950s, Hillman briefly marketed Minxes in the United States aimed at buyers prioritizing fuel economy; however, reception was generally tepid.
Between 1953 and 1956, Isuzu manufactured versions of the Mark VI through VIII in Japan under the name Isuzu Hillman Minx, prior to launching their own Bellel model in 1961.
Rootes Australia produced a two-door coupé utility variant known as the Hillman de luxe Utility around 1956.
Audax design Hillman Minx (Series I to Series VI, 1956–1967)
The Audax body design was developed by the Rootes Group with contributions from Raymond Loewy's design studio, famous for the 1953 Studebaker coupés. Introduced in May 1956, the Hillman Minx received yearly updates identified by series numbers rather than traditional marks: 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 increased from 1390 cc in the initial versions to 1725 cc by the time of Series VI. Transmission choices ranged from manual gearboxes with either column or floor-mounted shifters to automatic options: the Lockheed Manumatic semi-automatic on Series I & II, the pioneering Smiths Easidrive dual-clutch system on Series III—the first of its kind in production—and Borg Warner automatics on Series V and VI. The Series VI was equipped with a fully synchromesh transmission.
A 1958 road test of the Series III deLuxe model, powered by a 1494 cc engine, recorded a maximum speed of 76.9 mph and acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 25.4 seconds, while delivering fuel efficiency of 31.8 mpg imperial. The vehicle's price stood at £794, inclusive of £265 tax.
Among the variants were the Singer Gazelle and Sunbeam Rapier throughout all series, with certain models rebadged for overseas markets as Sunbeam or Humber. In New Zealand, Todd Motors rebranded the Humber 80 and Humber 90—based on the Minx and Super Minx respectively—to offer smaller vehicles through Humber dealerships alongside Hawks and Super Snipes; the Humber 80 was distinguished by its unique horizontal bar grille.
In Australia, the Series Va was introduced in 1965 featuring a more robust 1592 cc engine paired with an all-synchromesh gearbox, preceding the launch of Series VI.
From September 1956 to June 1964, Isuzu manufactured the Audax Minx under license in Japan, including an exclusive estate model named the Isuzu Hillman Express produced between 1958 and 1964.
Super Minx (1961–1967)
Debuting late in 1961, the Hillman Super Minx was originally planned as a successor to the Minx Series III. Nevertheless, the Series III was superseded by Series V in 1963, while the Super Minx entered production as a distinct yet related vehicle.
New Minx (1967–1970)
The model known as the New Minx replaced Series VI in 1967. Essentially a lower-specification variant of the Hillman Hunter, it was available in both saloon and estate configurations. Initially equipped with a 54 bhp 1496 cc four-cylinder engine, a more powerful 61 bhp 1725 cc unit became available in 1968. The New Minx was phased out in favor of the Hillman Hunter De Luxe model by 1970.
Models
... (Additional model entries continue similarly with condensed notes) Hunter New Minx| Type | Year | Engine | Approx. production | Body types | Wheelbase[1] | 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) | Equipped with a 3-speed gearbox, Bendix brakes, wire-spoked wheels |
| 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) | Upgraded to 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; introduced pressed steel wheels |
| New Minx | 1938–39 | 1185 cc 4-cylinder side-valve | n/a | saloon, drophead coupé, estate | 93 in (2,362 mm) | 62 mph (100 km/h) | Updated styling features |
| 1966–79 | 1725 cc 4-cylinder overhead-valve | 470,000[2] | saloon, estate | 98 in (2,489 mm) | 90 mph (140 km/h) | "Arrow" series design; overdrive available as an option | |
| 1967–70 | 1496 cc and optional 1725 cc (estate) | saloon, estate | 98[convert: needs unit name] | [convert: needs a number] | Basic "Arrow" Hunter derivative; succeeded by Hunter De Luxe in 1970 |
Scale Models
- Meccano Dinky Toys; model No. 154 (produced 1954–58), representing the Minx Mark I through VIII in roughly O scale (1:44).
- Meccano Dinky Toys; model No. 175 (manufactured 1958–61), depicting the Hillman Minx Series I at an approximate O scale (1:44).
- Triang Spot-On model of the Hillman Minx Series V, crafted in 1:42 scale.