Team-BHP - Hillman Minx

In case anyone comes across Hillman spares, please let me know. Looking to pick up any part I can for my 1951 Hillman Minx. Specifically, any idea where I can find an original side-valve engine for Minx? I got cheated because I was told everything was original and I did not notice that the engine was changed to overhead valve until I committed to buy. One savior is that the replaced engine is also a slightly later (1955 I guess) 1592cc overhead valve Hillman engine. I am also looking for the original Solex / Zenith carb for this car. It currently runs on Indian made Solex. Any help on these?

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Originally Posted by wasif (Post 1518355)

I love stories.....please do tell.:)

Hi! Two yrs. ago I was taken to huge compound full of little little workshops, in Hyderabad, to see a '54 De'soto convertible, which never materialised, but there was this car, which had more rust than anything else, that caught my eye. Only after getting all the junk piled on it of, did I realise she was a Hillman convertible. Well the usual yes I'm selling, no I'm not went on and 2 months later I was able to click the deal.
Anyways my Hyderabad connections insisted I let them restore this 'one' car in Hyderabad, which I agreed to!!!!!!!!!! And 6 mths. later on, a surprise visit I discovered what 'craftsman' the Hyderabadi's are! Champions in the art of using m-seal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had to have it all stripped change the tinmaker and do the work all over again! The paint job is good, the chrome disgusting and overall short cuts galore. In short, I will in time, restore this car again!!!!!!!!

Maybe I just came across the wrong guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But still very happy with the car.

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Originally Posted by hillram (Post 1534893)

Lovely Hillman,though its a first time im seeing a convertible.

Hai hillram this car was in hydrabad it was behind the congress bhavan in a garage green in colour sold couple of years back to some guy in pune

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Originally Posted by anjan_c2007 (Post 1190892)

This is the very, very original car.More pictures to follow soon.
Attachment 105556

That phrase "will follow soon" :)was posted by me nearly a year back. Here they are now for all Minx fans!

Hey Anjan, good one, thanks. I had been searching, but had just not got such clear close-up shots as reference pictures. I see that my car is completely original except for those rear indicators and sidelights (just reflector pieces though) and the ambassador parking lights. I will remove the first two and have already ordered a pair of L594 lamps for parking lights. Will also pick up this L489 lamps. That will almost complete the picture. If I can somehow find those vertical attachments to the bumper, that will complete the picture! Thanks and will keep you posted.

Does anybody knows any Hillman Minx of 1930-1940 still survive any where in India. Seen some Hillmans in B/W movies lot of them in Bombay some are in taxi's also.

Would love to see pics if any survive now pre-war models.

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Originally Posted by karlosdeville (Post 1946079)

Here is a Hillman Minx cabrio spotted by a friend yesterday. I cannot say for certain, but it may just be a genuine cabrio, subject to correction.

Attachment 371943

Attachment 371944

Attachment 371945

Attachment 371946

Looks like it is a genuine convertible.....where is the car now

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amartya (Post 1946103)

Not completely related to this car, but I think it is interesting to note that the car has 3-wheel nuts (a-la the Nano, rather the other way round).

Yes true the Minx's were known for their 3 wheel disc nuts/bolts.Even the earlier series Minx's of the 1940's preceding the 1950's Minx, had the same wheel nut/bolt configuration.

Quote:

Originally Posted by karlosdeville (Post 1946079)

Here is a Hillman Minx cabrio spotted by a friend yesterday. I cannot say for certain, but it may just be a genuine cabrio, subject to correction.

Soothing to see the Minx Karl.The owner has tried to construct some thin roll over cages or is it a hood frame.It spoils the classic look but the damage is within decent limits.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wasif (Post 1946337)

Looks like it is a genuine convertible.....where is the car now

Spotted in Bombay.

Quote:

Originally Posted by anjan_c2007 (Post 1947153)

Soothing to see the Minx Karl.The owner has tried to construct some thin roll over cages or is it a hood frame.It spoils the classic look but the damage is within decent limits.

I think that is just the hood frame without the covering.

Quote:

Originally Posted by karlosdeville (Post 1947858)

Spotted in Bombay.
I think that is just the hood frame without the covering.

This car apparently belongs to Nitin Dossa. Here is a picture of the car when she was still in Delhi, where he got her from. Original convertible.

Cheers harit