1959 Hillman Minx Series IIIA 1.5 4 cylinder petrol OHV from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Roomy, nippy, easy to drive and classic not plastic

Faults:

Only things wrong with the car are the fact that it doesn't have an engine number because it was built before 1960, so if you buy one that's unregistered, the authorities try screw you around when you re register it in your own name.

Some spare parts can be hard to come across.

General Comments:

Roomy inside.

Handles good for its age once you put modern tyres on it (and/or polyurethane bushes).

At the moment you can pick good ones up for low low prices.

Slips through traffic easily, narrower than most modern cars.

You never lose one in a car park.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th August, 2006

3rd Nov 2014, 11:53

I drive a Hillman Minx 3A Deluxe Saloon. Built 25 September 1959. It has a chassis number B1016308LLSO. This number is also stamped in the engine. Just above the fuel pump. It drives like a 50s car. Not great of course. What do you expect? I restored it in 2002, 2003 and 2004. Could buy lots of brand new parts, some even old stock. Bought them all over the world thanks to the Internet and eBay.

I have tried to find the original paint. It could not be ordered with the original colour numbers. So I bought (on eBay UK) a Vanguards model in two-tone grey/blue. The paint shop scanned the model and made the paint. It looks great.

I've driven this car for over 10 years now. Together with a little old caravan. I visit classic car shows and events. Just as a hobby. It has a Dutch licence, AL-71-12, it came originally from Tjechie. Drove there around from December 1959 till 1994.