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1947 Hillman Minx Steel Sunroof
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Pistolboogie



Joined: 15 May 2013
Posts: 9

PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2013 11:40 am    Post subject: 1947 Hillman Minx Steel Sunroof Reply with quote

I have just bought a 1947 Hillman Minx phase 1 which has a sliding steel sunroof. The car is in unrestored but remarkably solid condition with 23,00 genuine miles on the clock. It has a sliding sunroof whic is siezed closed and any form of weatherproofing has long since turned to dust. Could anyone offer advice or other sites where i might obtain information on bringing it back into service and making it waterproof! Thanks, Phil.
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Rick
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Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22429
Location: UK

PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2013 11:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sounds interesting, coincidentally I just received an email to say a friend of mine has just bought something similar (not sure on year, but shortly after WW2).

RJ
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peter scott



Joined: 18 Dec 2007
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Location: Edinburgh

PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2013 12:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Phil,

Welcome to the forum.

Take a look at http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/forum/phpbb/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=13302&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15

Unfortunately you do need to lower the rear of the panel before you can slide it back. Stripping back the head cloth at the front of the roof panel might allow you to squirt release oil at the mechanism.

You will normally find that the tray will have a drain at each corner. These are either led away by rubber drain tubes down the insides of the A and C posts or they exit through little ports directly onto the roof gutters. You need to undo the corners of the headlining to access the rubber tubes.

HTH

Peter
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Rootes75



Joined: 30 Apr 2013
Posts: 3788
Location: The Somerset Levels

PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2013 1:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Great, sounds like a good find. I have a 1947 Minx, she is fitted with the steel sliding sunroof. Its very difficult to open so I generally leave it closed. The last time I did open it, it didn't lower enough into the recess and scratched the external paint. Do you have any photo's? There are a couple of Minx's on ebay at the moment, a 1940 and 1947.
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ChrisD



Joined: 03 Dec 2012
Posts: 78
Location: South Wales

PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2013 11:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I too have an unrestored (1939) Minx. Incredibly the sunroof is in full working order due to the car being dry stored almost all its life. I can take some pics if you let me know which specific parts of the roof you want to see.
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Pistolboogie



Joined: 15 May 2013
Posts: 9

PostPosted: Tue May 21, 2013 4:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Rootes75 wrote:
Great, sounds like a good find. I have a 1947 Minx, she is fitted with the steel sliding sunroof. Its very difficult to open so I generally leave it closed. The last time I did open it, it didn't lower enough into the recess and scratched the external paint. Do you have any photo's? There are a couple of Minx's on ebay at the moment, a 1940 and 1947.


Hi, thanks for the reply. You may have seen it then, here is the link. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLASSIC-RAT-ROD-OILY-RAG-HOT-ROD-PROJECT-1947-HILLMAN-MINX-GREY-BARN-FIND-/271203105715?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&nma=true&si=79C%252Fwn6qfPTR%252BfwfpJmloeQ3Y0U%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
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Rick
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Joined: 27 Apr 2005
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PostPosted: Tue May 21, 2013 4:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looks really nice. Is the plan to fully restore it, or get it on the road as-is for now?

RJ
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Pistolboogie



Joined: 15 May 2013
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PostPosted: Wed May 22, 2013 9:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Rick wrote:
Looks really nice. Is the plan to fully restore it, or get it on the road as-is for now?

RJ


I intend to use it as is. It would be a very easy restoration as there is no structural rust which is incredible on a vehicle this age. Ive got 6 Austins from the 50s and 60s and my Somerset is as solid but sadly has had a cheap respray. I would like to order all ignition consumables , tyres etc and get it on the road to see what else comes to light! The sunroof MUST work..... shame the previous owner rammed it shut just before i arrived to view it.
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Pistolboogie



Joined: 15 May 2013
Posts: 9

PostPosted: Wed May 22, 2013 9:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

peter scott wrote:
Hi Phil,

Welcome to the forum.

Take a look at http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/forum/phpbb/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=13302&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15

Unfortunately you do need to lower the rear of the panel before you can slide it back. Stripping back the head cloth at the front of the roof panel might allow you to squirt release oil at the mechanism.

You will normally find that the tray will have a drain at each corner. These are either led away by rubber drain tubes down the insides of the A and C posts or they exit through little ports directly onto the roof gutters. You need to undo the corners of the headlining to access the rubber tubes.

HTH

Peter


Thanks for the advice Peter, the headlining is less than perfect so will investigate at the weekend.
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Pistolboogie



Joined: 15 May 2013
Posts: 9

PostPosted: Wed May 22, 2013 9:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

ChrisD wrote:
I too have an unrestored (1939) Minx. Incredibly the sunroof is in full working order due to the car being dry stored almost all its life. I can take some pics if you let me know which specific parts of the roof you want to see.


Hi Chris, any photos would be welcome. As it doesn't open i have no idea of the mechanism so any info is better than none!
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Rootes75



Joined: 30 Apr 2013
Posts: 3788
Location: The Somerset Levels

PostPosted: Wed May 22, 2013 3:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thought it may have been that one. She looks really nice, the more original the better I always think. Take a look at the link below to see my 47 Minx. Smile

http://www.flickr.com/photos/52197579@N07/5111482070/
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Rick
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Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22429
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PostPosted: Wed May 22, 2013 3:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Rootes75 wrote:
Thought it may have been that one. She looks really nice, the more original the better I always think. Take a look at the link below to see my 47 Minx. Smile

http://www.flickr.com/photos/52197579@N07/5111482070/


Very trim - it warrants its own thread really Wink

RJ
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Pistolboogie



Joined: 15 May 2013
Posts: 9

PostPosted: Thu May 23, 2013 1:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Rootes75 wrote:
Thought it may have been that one. She looks really nice, the more original the better I always think. Take a look at the link below to see my 47 Minx. Smile

http://www.flickr.com/photos/52197579@N07/5111482070/


Looks very nice. Would like to see it in the flesh one day!
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Rootes75



Joined: 30 Apr 2013
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Location: The Somerset Levels

PostPosted: Sat May 25, 2013 1:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Whereabouts are you? We are down in Somerset Wink
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ChrisD



Joined: 03 Dec 2012
Posts: 78
Location: South Wales

PostPosted: Sun May 26, 2013 2:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sorry for the delay. Here are the pics I promised. You can't see the mechanism as such but its almost certain its never been dismantled. The roof drops down about an inch (compare 4th & 6th pics) when opened into a box section in the rear of the roof. As far as I can see it runs on a sort of lip (see last pic). This car was purchased new in early 1939.











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