1969 Hillman Minx Deluxe custom
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Highlights
- In single-family ownership from new until 2013
- Stacks of paperwork history including invoices back to the late 1970s
- Customised in an authentic 1970s style, with slot mags, Thrush pipes, Greg of Akron mural, furry interior, jack-up kit and more
- Mechanically standard and running delightfully
The Background
The ultimate incarnation of Hillman’s long-running Minx name was as part of the Rootes ‘Arrow’ range. Launched in 1967 as a replacement for the old ‘Audax’ Minx, it shared its platform with an array of sister models, including the Hillman Hunter, Singer Vogue and Gazelle, Sunbeam Alpine and Rapier, and the Humber Sceptre.
Of them all, the Minx was the entry-level offering but it still provided everything the typical middle-class motorist could want or need. The interiors were spacious and comfortably furnished, and the 1496cc engine would happily let a driver and four passengers cruise along all day at motorway speeds.
Of them all, the Minx was the entry-level offering but it still provided everything the typical middle-class motorist could want or need. The interiors were spacious and comfortably furnished, and the 1496cc engine would happily let a driver and four passengers cruise along all day at motorway speeds.
Mechanically, it relied largely on tried and tested parts, and that was no bad thing because Rootes products of the early ’60s were sturdy and reliable, so customers could purchase an Arrow Minx confident it would satisfy their everyday needs. Sadly, the Rootes Group was suffering from the same kind of industrial unrest that upset the entire British motor industry, so production of some models were short-lived. The New Minx was only built from 1967 to 1970, making survivors today very rare.
However, as the Minx was being phased out, a very different motoring phenomenon was about to burst into life. Custom Car magazine was launched in 1970, bringing American drag-racing and hot-rodding trends to a British audience, and gaining enormous popularity thanks to its irreverent humour.
Interest in customising and cruising grew rapidly, and by the end of the decade seemingly every young car enthusiast in the country was seeking ways to recreate scenes from American Graffiti with their Ford Escorts and Cortinas, Vauxhall Victors, and not a few Hillman Minxes…
Interest in customising and cruising grew rapidly, and by the end of the decade seemingly every young car enthusiast in the country was seeking ways to recreate scenes from American Graffiti with their Ford Escorts and Cortinas, Vauxhall Victors, and not a few Hillman Minxes…
The History
This Hillman was purchased new from Bowmans Garages, a Rootes authorised dealer at 453 Brighton Road, South Croydon, by Leslie C. Griffin of Selsdon, a Croydon subrb. Born in Dorset in 1912, Mr. Griffin spent his early life in Southampton but moved to Selsdon in 1947 to settle into a job as a lecturer and teacher of carpentry, joinery and technical drawing.
He worked first at Stanley Technical Trade School in South Norwood and then at John Newnham Secondary Selective School in Selsdon, where he remained until his retirement. He got through a number of cars during this period, but when he bought the Hillman in 1969 he decided it was the one to keep.
In 1970, after about a year of ownership, the Griffin family fancied a holiday and took the Hillman with them, driving along the border of France and Germany to Interlaken in Switzerland and back, a trip of about 1500 miles in total. Apart from that early exercise, the Minx led quite a relaxed existence, completing mainly local journeys besides the odd trip to see family in Bournemouth and Southampton.
When Mr. Griffin died in 1979, the car was inherited by his son David. Also a teacher in Croydon schools, albeit of history and geography, the young Mr. Griffin continued to drive the car in much the same manner, undertaking occasional local journeys and the odd pleasure trip to places such Brighton, Eastbourne, Westerham and Knole Park in Sevenoaks.
When David Griffin passed away in 2012, care of the Minx transferred to his sister, who sold it the following year. It ended up with an owner in Bournemouth who kept it for several years, but by 2019 it was in the possession of a gentleman from Watford. From studying the invoices on file, we believe it was around this time that the car was turned from a sensible family car into a head-turning 1970s street machine.
When Mr. Griffin died in 1979, the car was inherited by his son David. Also a teacher in Croydon schools, albeit of history and geography, the young Mr. Griffin continued to drive the car in much the same manner, undertaking occasional local journeys and the odd pleasure trip to places such Brighton, Eastbourne, Westerham and Knole Park in Sevenoaks.
When David Griffin passed away in 2012, care of the Minx transferred to his sister, who sold it the following year. It ended up with an owner in Bournemouth who kept it for several years, but by 2019 it was in the possession of a gentleman from Watford. From studying the invoices on file, we believe it was around this time that the car was turned from a sensible family car into a head-turning 1970s street machine.
The present owner bought the car in the first week of 2022 but has several other cars competing for his time, so he has regretfully decided to let it go.
The Paperwork
Besides the current V5, the Hillman’s paperwork file includes three separate folders and some original Hillman sales and owner’s literature. The period literature consists of the Owner’s Instructions book (also containing the service record), a Rootes Sales-Service-Parts booklet and a Rootes Quality Accessories booklet. The original Manufacturer’s Warranty and Accessories Price List are also present.
The folders contain documents mainly consisting of old invoices and M.o.T. certificates. The collection of invoices is enormous and goes back to 1979, offering an interesting look at some of Croydon’s car garages during the 1980s. More recent owners have also diligently kept their invoices and there are several from well-known Rootes parts specialist Speedy Spares.
The earliest MoT certificate dates from 2003. A current MoT showing no advisories is valid until 15th July. The car also retains its very first tax disc, but you won’t find it in a folder – you’ll have to check the windscreen for that.
The Interior
What’s left of the original interior in this car is in outstanding condition although the general aesthetic has been altered considerably. The seats and instrument panel are clearly as per the original specification, and both look fantastic. The black vinyl upholstery barely shows any signs of wear and looks almost as good as new, even where the driver’s seat is concerned.
The fascia is very good but, unfortunately, a small section of the plastic dash has broken in the square recess where the choke cable sits.
The fascia is very good but, unfortunately, a small section of the plastic dash has broken in the square recess where the choke cable sits.
Everything else is unusually good for its age. The heater certainly works well. Bidders will note that the radio and cassette player, while period-correct, were not fitted to the car during the Griffins’ ownership.
Now let us turn to the eleph-, sorry, gorilla in the room - that fantastic furry carpet. It covers not only the floor, but also the door cards, ceiling, centre console, parcel shelf and the top of the dash. Anyone too young to remember the 1970s might have to be reminded that this was the height of coolness back then, but it’s still an extremely cool touch now. The pool ball gear knob and the ‘Custom Car’ floor mats are more custom accessories, with the mats being genuine late ’70s or early ’80s items. Just for good measure, the vendor has even promised to throw in a pair of red furry dice…
Finally, we come to the boot, which also happens to be in great condition. It retains its original mat, and contains a set of spare carpets should you fancy changing the look of the interior. These carpets are brown, and also sport a very ’70s pattern.
The Exterior
As you’d expect from a car which has been cared for so well, the Hillman’s paint and bodywork is largely excellent. It was originally painted Sand Gold Metallic but has since been repainted in a colour very similar but not quite identical to it. The original paint is still visible in some places, such as the edges of the doors and the underside of the bonnet. The new coat of paint is very good, although it does display a few very minor blemishes.
The vendor does advise that care be taken around potholes, speed bumps and dropped kerbs, as the spoiler can scrape the ground. Having obtained some damage during a countryside tour of Wiltshire, the spoiler has been repaired and strengthened by a well-known hot-rodder and looks superb.
Both front and rear bumpers may have taken a knock at some stage as they rest at a slightly peculiar angle, and the rear bumper has a twist which is visible from certain viewpoints. There are also a few little dents in the stainless side trim. The chrome, however, is in great condition for its age, with only a light patina which a quick valet could probably take away. The only other cosmetic flaw is the visibly lopsided shut of the bonnet, but you can rest assured that it does shut securely.
We now come to the multitude of custom accessories, which is as follows:
- Wolfrace 5.50 x 13 x 50in slot mags
- Thrush Outsider side pipes
- Greg of Akron stick-on bonnet mural
- Sebring-style wing mirrors
- Plastic front spoiler
- Pedestal-style rear spoiler
- Assorted historic customising magazine stickers
- Tinted window film
- Rear suspension jack-up kit with red cruising light.
For anyone not au fait with 1970s customising, Wolfrace was the brand of choice for aftermarket mag wheels, likewise Thrush for side-exit exhaust pipes. Original items can be very hard to find today, with Thrush pipes in particular commanding a lot of money, and these are the genuine articles.
Greg of Akron was a mural artist in Ohio who shot to fame for his airbrushed artwork on custom cars and vans. His success was such that he was able to produce a number of designs to be sold as stick-on murals, and they were as popular over here as they were in the States. The fashion for airbrushed murals disappeared almost overnight in the early ’80s, though, and many Greg decals were removed from their cars and lost forever. Today, a Greg decal in good condition is so rare as to be almost mythical, so make sure you look after this one. The magazine stickers are also genuine ’70s or early ’80s items and similarly scarce. They account for all the major customising magazines of the period, namely Custom Car, Hot Car, Street Machine and Hot Rod & Custom UK.
All the other bits and pieces are in good order, although the tinted window film is beginning to peel away from the driver’s window. The glass is in good condition all round and we are satisfied that the underside is very solid. The only thing missing is a set of BFGoodrich white-letter tyres to really complete the ’70s custom look.
The Mechanics
Like everything else, the mechanical parts on this car are in great condition. With the choke out, the engine starts very easily on cold mornings and runs beautifully. It motors along very keenly, the gear changes are extremely smooth and the brakes very efficient. We might also comment on the lightness of the steering, too, compared to the Hillmans of the early ’60s. The raised rear suspension does not appear to have harmed ride quality.
The only deviation from standard is the side-exit exhaust, only one of which is connected. Since the car is otherwise mechanically standard, it is not going to cause any problems with insurers or the D.V.L.A. Having a valid MoT with no advisories, there should be a lot of happy motoring ahead.
The only deviation from standard is the side-exit exhaust, only one of which is connected. Since the car is otherwise mechanically standard, it is not going to cause any problems with insurers or the D.V.L.A. Having a valid MoT with no advisories, there should be a lot of happy motoring ahead.
The vendor has used a 1962 Hillman as his everyday car for five years and, having driven it all over the country, professes his faith in the reliability and pleasant behaviour of Rootes engineering. Earlier in May, he drove this Minx from London to Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire and back, a journey of several hundred miles, and reports that it drove beautifully.
We have no doubt that it could be used every day if you were so inclined, but we are aware of some minor faults. The lower suspension arm bushes are perished and may need to be replaced in the future. The other pertains to the choke cable, a result of the damaged fascia. The present starting procedure when cold involves lifting the bonnet and operating the choke manually while reaching inside the cabin and turning the key.
The Appeal
We realise this may be a Marmite car, but whether you prefer your Minxes customised or standard, there’s no reason why this shouldn’t be the car for you. Obviously, if you like the ’70s custom look, you couldn’t ask for anything better. It’s not often that an authentic 1970s-style custom comes up for sale, and you’d not find it easy to build one yourself given the cost and scarcity of parts like the Thrush pipes and Greg of Akron mural.
The fact it’s mechanically standard also means it’ll be easy to insure and it won’t drink petrol like there’s no tomorrow. If you’ve not owned a custom car before, this would be an ideal starting point.
The fact it’s mechanically standard also means it’ll be easy to insure and it won’t drink petrol like there’s no tomorrow. If you’ve not owned a custom car before, this would be an ideal starting point.
On the other hand, if you’d rather have something nice and standard, you’re looking at probably the world’s easiest restoration project. Most of the custom parts just unbolt, and then you’ve only got to find some original wheels and a new exhaust system in order to have a car just like Mr. Griffin was driving around in.
Whichever way you want to go, here is a solid, mechanically sound car in excellent all-round condition which will look great as it is or restored to standard. The choice is yours.
Whichever way you want to go, here is a solid, mechanically sound car in excellent all-round condition which will look great as it is or restored to standard. The choice is yours.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
Consulta le nostre FAQ qui e i nostri Termini e condizioni qui
Specifiche del veicolo
- Anno 1969
- Marca Hillman
- Modello Minx Deluxe Custom
- Colore Gold
- Chilometraggio 88,545 Miglia
- Cilindrata 1497
Dettagli d'asta
- Tipo di venditore Privato
- Città Croydon
- Posizione Kent
- Paese Regno Unito
8
offerte
da 6
offerenti
- du•••• £2,800 03/06/22
- st•••• £2,700 03/06/22
- jo•••• £2,600 03/06/22
- st•••• £2,500 30/05/22
- pe•••• £2,100 30/05/22
- st•••• £2,000 30/05/22
- an•••• £1,500 29/05/22
- Tr•••• £500 27/05/22
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