Description
1934 Hillman Aero Minx 4 seat Tourer
Superbly presented in Old English White with a Blood Red Hide interior.
Expansive restoration completed four years ago with little use since.
Totally stripped to a bare chassis in readiness for marque experts to play their part.
New wooden tub by Carrosserie Coachbuilders, one of the UK's leading restorers of classic and heritage marques and models.
New alloy wings, front and rear, body reskinned and painted by Carl Watson of Malton.
Reupholstered by Martin Dawson.
Engine rebuild by Park Engineering of Malton.
Full braking system overhaul and new springs fitted alongside a replacement wiring loom and of course a mandatory rechrome to put the icing on the cake.
A large amount of invoices, job sheets and restoration details accompany the Minx as well as period road tests, letters and magazine articles.
With little use since completion, a period of running in and recommissioning may be required A wonderful example of this now rare and sought-after pre-war sports tourer.
Based in Ryton-On-Dunsmore, the Hillman Motor Company was founded in 1907 by William Hillman and although the company started out building bicycles, by 1932 their first car had rolled off the production line, cheekily named the 'Minx'. It featured a modest 1185cc engine and was available in a choice of body styles before production ceased at the end of the Second World War. Manufactured between 1933 -1935, the Aero-Minx was a bit more 'sporty' and with a number of chassis and mechanical modifications allied with stylish and appealing bodywork was designed to cater for a rather more selective market. The differences from the '33 Minx consisted of a lowered chassis underslung at the rear, a shorter wheelbase, a slightly raised compression ratio, downdraught carburettor, stronger valve springs and a higher back axle ratio. An aluminium head was available and all Aero models had a remote controlled gearbox with a short stubby lever.
The 1933 Aero Minx became available in a number of body styles and two-seat 'Tourers' were offered by several prominent coachbuilders including Kevill-Davies and March. Chassis No #AM18292 is confirmed by the Aero Minx Register as having been produced in 1933 and was purchased by the previous custodian some years ago in need of a full and extensive rebuild. Being an obsessive restorer the task ahead, although daunting, was just another day at the office and a comprehensive restoration followed with assistance from some of the UK’s leading authorities and restoration businesses.
Once stripped to a bare chassis the task ahead was quickly unfolding, all woodwork required replacement before the new body, entrusted to The Carrosserie Company could be remanufactured and the replacement alloy wings fitted, the engine was safe in the care of Park Engineering of Malton, the braking system was completed overhauled and a new wiring loom manufactured and installed. The superb paint finish was applied by Carl Watson, also of Malton, with re-upholstery by Martin Dawson. Once fully re chromed the Aero was once again ready for the road but as other projects loomed, into storage it went with the intention being to retain this beautiful pre-war Tourer. However, further projects arrived and space became a premium resulting in this rare opportunity to acquire, what has often been described as, ‘The Forgotten Sportscar’.
Looking very stylish with its 'swoopy' Aero bodywork finished in gleaming Old English White, immaculate red leather interior, red-painted wire wheels, folding windscreen and sloping radiator, this little Minx is a bit of a head turner with most people trying to work out exactly what it is.
This Hillman is presented with a comprehensive history file containing invoices, magazine articles, restoration time sheets and photographs amongst lots of other interesting ephemera. Delightful. The JB Plates has been retained & we are awaiting an age related plate from Swansea.
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