The Pick of the Day is a 1957 Hillman Minx Series II saloon, a term we use because this is, after all, a British car, a compact 4-door sedan. And it is a rarity, imported into the US only from 1953-1957, according to the dealer in Palmetto, Florida, offering a car calls it “cool and quirky.”
“The paint is an artistic delight with the Hillman painted in Aqua Marine Metallic and Bright White,” the dealer adds. “A single exhaust exits the rear and gives this classic a cute popping noise unique to the Hillman.”
That sound emanates from a 1,390cc inline 4-cylinder engine that was introduced in 1956, according to The Standard Catalog of Imported Cars.
“It is mated to a 4-speed manual on the column transmission which makes this Hillman an absolute blast to cruise around,” the dealer continues.
“Front and rear drum brakes bring this little sedan to a stop in a hurry! With a lot of life left to give to the new owner, this fun and quirky Hillman will bring a smile to many faces. There is a very good chance you will be the only Hillman at the car shows, given the small production run that made it to the United States.”
Driving the car to those shows puts you in what the dealer terms an interior that is “a combination of stock and refreshed goodies. With a comfortable reupholster bench seat in Turquois vinyl will keep your ride comfortable. An AM/FM/CD player has been added to crank your favorite tunes on the late-night cruises.
“The door panels, rear panels and even the window cranks are all stock Hillman. The dash is in great shape with no cracks and original to this Hillman. The trunk is in great shape and offers storage for the spare tire and luggage for you next trip. This is one little vehicle with room to spare and very ergonomically correct.”
Hillman traces its history to William Hillman and the bicycles he started producing in England in the 1870s. In 1907, he partnered with French designer Louis Coatalen to produce his first touring car.
In 1931, while Hillman was under the control of the Rootes brothers, the Minx was introduced and became the company’s best-known car, according to The Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile, which noted the Minx was “a reasonably priced family saloon.”
Chrysler absorbed the Hillman brand in the mid-1970s, and soon Hillman disappeared.
The ’57 Minx on offer in Florida is priced at $16,995. To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
very reasonable for a rare car!
VERY KOOL
there are still lots of affordable collector cars–This reminds me of the early 60s Vauxhalls or mid 60s Angola’s — All Very Different than most things on the road-
Look very closely, not quite a gem!
Hillman’s remind me of Nash’s.
Oh my God! I raced one of these in the early 60s .”Flying Kiwi”
I remember looking at these at a Dealership in Detroit with my Dad when I was a kid..