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A friend for everyday use - Hillman Minx with Easidrive in (historical) test

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Created on May 1, 1960

Text:

Olaf von Fersen

Photos:

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24

Archiv

24

The brochure image gives the impression of imposing dimensions. But the Hillman Minx also has a lot of interesting things to offer in a smaller space...

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Hillman Minx (1957) - at the IAA in Frankfurt 1957

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Hillman Minx Saloon (1957) - new edition of the popular limousine

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Hillman Minx de-Luxe Saloon (1958) - a compact limousine

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Hillman Minx de-luxe Saloon (1959) - compact four-door car

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The Minx, here a de luxe saloon from 1959, stands out with its generous amount of space and low fuel consumption.

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Hillman Minx de-Luxe Saloon (1959) - rear view

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The Rootes product looks rather conservative, but is full of innovations.

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Hillman Minx de-Luxe Saloon (1959) - redesigned front end

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Hillman Minx de-Luxe (1960) - emphasized elegance and solidity

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Hillman Minx (1960) - Dashboard

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Hillman Minx (1958) - redesigned dashboard for 58 version

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The workmanship of the seats is just as pleasing as their upholstery. In general, the Minx is a well thought-out and solid car.

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In the Minx, driving is very relaxed, especially with Easidrive. The 1957 model can be recognized by the one-piece radiator grille and the absence of side trim strips, among other things.

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Hillman Minx Convertible (1957) - new interior for the convertible

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Hillman Minx Convertible (1959) - open version

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Easy to drive thanks to the automatic transmission and also available as a convertible - the Series IIIa Minx.

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Hillman Estate Car (1960) - the estate car variant

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Hillman Minx (1957) - the engine is said to be as smooth as a sea lion - Geneva Motor Show 1957

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Here you can see the Rootes engine and behind it a Sunbeam Alpine at the 1960 Geneva Motor Show.

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The Easidrive gearbox from Smith & Sons on display.

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The power flow in the three gears of the Easidrive automatic transmission is shown here.

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Sunbeam Rapier Convertible (1958) - with 1.5-liter engine and optional overdrive

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This Swiss Hillman advertisement from 1959 promises perfect motoring, without even mentioning the Easidrive automatic transmission...

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Summary

The third series Hillman Minx, built by the British Rootes Group between 1959 and 1963, was actually a fairly average vehicle. Powered by a well-behaved 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, the functionally equipped and rock-solid mid-range saloon should hardly have caused a stir. But the Minx took control of the gearbox away from the driver and caused a minor revolution. The original report from 1960, which is also illustrated with historical pictures and three sales brochures from the time, describes how the Hillman Minx Easidrive fared in the road test.

This article contains the following chapters

Does the effect justify the price?
Design and mode of operation
Automatic not = stubborn
The "Minx" is a friendly car
From the female perspective
Technical data and test results

Estimated reading time: 15min

Preview (beginning of the article)

The English are often said to be conservative. This is true as far as their aversion to the "fashionable" is concerned, to new clothes and anything that could appear dandyish. This also applies to English cars, which have adopted the modern body style, but here too have avoided all extremes. The Hillman Minx is a typical representative of the new direction in British automobile construction: outwardly inconspicuous, but technically as advanced as the latest from the automobile factories of the continents. Like its beautiful sister "Alpine", which we looked at recently, the Minx is a rational modular design. It has the same robust 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine as the Alpine, Rapier and Gazelle and resembles these other models of the Rootes Group in some other components of its chassis and body.

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