Hillman Aero Minx Tourer.
Roy has owned his rare Hillman Aero Minx since 1962, and sent over the following three photographs, all of which feature Aero Minxes used by the Police. His Tourer, JC 2002, is seen in the first of these photographs (second car from the left), along with sister cars JC 2001, JC 2003 and JC 2004, all of which were used by Caernarfonshire Constabulary (hence the JC registration letters). This photo was taken outside Hillman's offices in Humber Road, Coventry in 1934. Note the Hillman sign above the office doors.
|
| (Please click the thumbnail to view full-size image.) |
|
|
|
A very similar photo to the one shown above features in a book titled "British Cars of the Early Thirties", although in that image the Police drivers are stood alongside their steeds, rather than sat in them. It looks to have been a very warm day, judging by how all the office windows are wide open. The same book also advises that several different body styles were offered in the Aero Minx range, including an enclosed coupe - not unlike the contemporary Singer 9 Coupe to look at - known as the Foursome Coupe. Both tourer and Foursome Coupe were sold for 225 GBP.
|
|
A bare chassis was also offered, designed to be clothed by a coachbuilder chosen by the customer, as was a streamlined Sports Saloon (245 GBP in 1933), the March Special, and the Burlington Coupe of 1934.
|
|
Photograph number two from Roy's collection features JC 2004 on its own now, with a tall officer of the law stood beside his Aero Minx.
|
|
|
|
The last photo in this set is of Roy's well-travelled Hillman, photographed on an overseas jaunt.
|
|
|
|
The chassis used on the Aero Minx was very similar to that used on the standard Minx saloons of the day, although it was "underslung" and had a wheelbase of 7ft 4ins, as opposed to 7ft 8ins on the basic Minx.
|
|
Return to Page 13 in the classic & vintage car photo gallery.
|
