Note: This is a sub-section of Hillman
1910 The original company name Hillman-Coatalen Motor Car Co was changed to Hillman Motor Car Co when Louis Coatalen left to join Sunbeam.
1910 July. Details of the 12-15hp car.[1]
1913-1917 For a list of the models and prices see the 1917 Red Book
1913 A smaller car, the 9-hp with a 1,357cc side valve four cylinder, was the first to sell in significant numbers and was re-introduced after World War 1 as the 11-hp having grown to 1,600cc.
1913 June. Details of the 9-hp car.[2]
1913 October. Details of the new six-cylinder car. Also make the 9hp model.[3]
1914 October. The 9hp is successful and remains in production for next year.[4]
1925 The big seller was the 14-hp introduced in 1925, and the only model made until 1928.
1928 Following the fashion of the time, a Straight Eight of 2.6 litres, and Hillman's first use of overhead valves, came in 1928, but soon gained a reputation for big end problems.
The 1930's saw a return to side valves with first the 2.1 (later 2.6) litre 6 cylinder Wizard.
1932 The first car to carry the Minx name. This had a 1,185cc four cylinder and went through a series of updates in body style and construction until the end of World War 2.
In 1934, the Wizard was replaced by the 20/70, which lasted until 1936, when the Hawk with a 2,576 cc (later 3,181 cc) side valve straight six. This car was later re-bodied and sold as a Humber.
1947 After the war, the Minx was reintroduced with the same 1,185cc engine. It went through a series of models given Phase numbers.
By 1950 the final assembly was concentrated at the 80-acre Ryton-on-Dunsmore factory where they are produced alongside Humber and Sunbeam-Talbot. [5]
1951 Exhibitor at the 1951 Motor Show in the Car Section.
1954 A smaller car, the Husky, with van like body and using the old side valve engine, was also new for 1954. The floor pan of this model was later to form the basis for the Sunbeam Alpine, Sunbeam also being part of the Rootes empire.
1954. The Minx Phase VIII saw the arrival of an overhead valve engine.
1963 Motor Show exhibitor. Showed Super Minx, Imp and Husky. [6]
1963 A complete departure in 1963 was the Hillman Imp, using a Coventry Climax all alloy, 875cc rear engine and built in a brand new factory in Linwood, Scotland. The location was chosen under government influence to bring employment to a depressed area. A fastback version, the Californian, and an estate re-using the Husky name were also made.
1966 A new car called the Hunter was introduced.
1967 A smaller-engined standard version using the old Minx name. These are frequently given their factory code of Arrow but this name was never officially used in marketing.
1970 The first new Hillman model, whose development was financed by the American giant, would be the Avenger.
The Avenger and Hunter ranges were re-badged as Chryslers until 1979, when Chrysler sold its European division to Peugeot. At this point, Hunter production was shelved and the Avenger was re-badged as a Talbot until it was finally withdrawn from sale at the end of 1981.
Hillman's Ryton factory exists to the present day, assembling various Peugeot models for the European market, but it was announced in April 2006 that Peugeot would end production there, the last car leaving the factory in December 2006. The plant formally closed in January 2007.
The French company still owns the rights to the Hillman name.
List of Models
- Hillman: Fourteen
- Hillman: Sporting Model 11 h.p
- Hillman: Minx
- Hillman: Husky 1954-70
- Hillman: Hunter 1966-77
- Hillman: Imp 1963-76
- Hillman: Avenger / Tiger 1970-76
- Hillman: Super Minx
- Hillman: Wizard
See Also
Sources of Information
- [1] Wikipedia
- [2] MICMA Web Site
- Spennell's Annual Directory of Coventry and District, 1912-13