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Details
1936 HILLMAN AERO MINX
Registration No. YS 1149
Chassis No. AM/19025
Engine No. RM/19080
Beige with tan leather interior.
Engine: four cylinders in-line, sidevalve 1185cc; Gearbox: four speed manual; Suspension: semi-elliptic leaf front and rear, beam front axle, live rear; Brakes: four wheel mechanically operated drum. Right hand drive.
The Rootes brothers were canny operators. In the 1930's they built a thriving motor industry by recognising they had neither the financial nor factory resources to compete head-on with the "Big Three" British mass production car makers. Instead they focused upon those markets that today are identified as "niche markets". Their Hillman Minx was a perfect example. It was a trim family saloon that fitted neatly into the 10hp tax bracket, very conventional with its smooth sidevalve engine and leaf road springs all round. But it was just a little bit better equipped and finished than its mass-produced competitors, and could be sold at a modest premium.
The Minx and the Rootes empire thrived. In 1932 they targeted a sector of the market that nobody else had exploited, and at the London Motor Show that year the Aero Minx was introduced. The basic Hillman Minx chassis was given a mildly tuned version of the 1185cc engine with a higher compression ratio for the special aluminium cylinder head and a more sporting rear axle ratio. A neat remote lever controlled the four speed gearbox and there were spoked wheels with centre-lock spinners to underline the sporting theme. There was a rakish new radiator shell set off by a lowered bonnet line and the resulting confection was offered with a selection of specially commissioned sporting bodies from leading Midlands coachbuilders. With a top speed of over 72mph recorded on test, the Aero Minx was rather faster than its standard elder sister. Good-looking, smartly turned out, the Aero was excellent value for money and a popular, successful mount for amateurs in the long distance road trials and rallies of the 1930's.
From new this car has had just two owners having been with the same family since 1939 and it retains its original Glasgow registration recorded with the DVLC. The car has been stored on axle stands since 1992 and has been started regularly. The tan interior has been professionally reupholstered at some time and is described as being in fine condition. Bodily the car appears good though not in the original paint. The radiator surround needs re-chroming. A comprehensive history file is presented with the car.
Registration No. YS 1149
Chassis No. AM/19025
Engine No. RM/19080
Beige with tan leather interior.
Engine: four cylinders in-line, sidevalve 1185cc; Gearbox: four speed manual; Suspension: semi-elliptic leaf front and rear, beam front axle, live rear; Brakes: four wheel mechanically operated drum. Right hand drive.
The Rootes brothers were canny operators. In the 1930's they built a thriving motor industry by recognising they had neither the financial nor factory resources to compete head-on with the "Big Three" British mass production car makers. Instead they focused upon those markets that today are identified as "niche markets". Their Hillman Minx was a perfect example. It was a trim family saloon that fitted neatly into the 10hp tax bracket, very conventional with its smooth sidevalve engine and leaf road springs all round. But it was just a little bit better equipped and finished than its mass-produced competitors, and could be sold at a modest premium.
The Minx and the Rootes empire thrived. In 1932 they targeted a sector of the market that nobody else had exploited, and at the London Motor Show that year the Aero Minx was introduced. The basic Hillman Minx chassis was given a mildly tuned version of the 1185cc engine with a higher compression ratio for the special aluminium cylinder head and a more sporting rear axle ratio. A neat remote lever controlled the four speed gearbox and there were spoked wheels with centre-lock spinners to underline the sporting theme. There was a rakish new radiator shell set off by a lowered bonnet line and the resulting confection was offered with a selection of specially commissioned sporting bodies from leading Midlands coachbuilders. With a top speed of over 72mph recorded on test, the Aero Minx was rather faster than its standard elder sister. Good-looking, smartly turned out, the Aero was excellent value for money and a popular, successful mount for amateurs in the long distance road trials and rallies of the 1930's.
From new this car has had just two owners having been with the same family since 1939 and it retains its original Glasgow registration recorded with the DVLC. The car has been stored on axle stands since 1992 and has been started regularly. The tan interior has been professionally reupholstered at some time and is described as being in fine condition. Bodily the car appears good though not in the original paint. The radiator surround needs re-chroming. A comprehensive history file is presented with the car.