1. Hillman Series IIIC 1961 onwards.
I managed to buy a batch of car photographs from the 1960s, all taken in the UK featuring cars that were everywhere in their day, but very rarely seen nowadays. Below is just such a car, in the shape of a Series III Minx. The Series III was introduced in 1959, latest in a long line of Minx models that can be traced right back to the 1930s. The car shown here I think is a Series IIIC, which was the last gasp of the S3 Minx shape before the revised Series IV came along. The IIIC was brought in at the same time as the new Super Minx hit the streets, but priced some way below its new brother. It was very similar to the outgoing Series 3s but lost some of the chrome detailing of its forerunner, pitching the Minx at the more affordable end of the new Rootes' product range. Did this 3C Minx, registration 9821 KD survive? given their enthusiasm for rusting (as with most British cars of the day) I think it is unlikely that this Hillman is still around.
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Parked outside the Littlewoods store behind the Minx are some other interesting vehicles, all now considered 'classics'. From the right then, and first up is a Ford 100E Escort or Squire, which were both estate versions of the 100E saloon. Various old bicycles are propped up against the shop's wall. Next car is a Vauxhall PA Cresta (registration I think is MMF 366), an early-ish example as it has the wraparound rear screen that was replaced with a flat example on later Crestas. Partially hidden by the Minx's roof, and alongside a motorcycle, is a 105E Anglia. The only other car I can make out is to the left of this photo, parked facing away from the camera. It looks like the back of a Standard 8 or 10 to me. Perhaps its owner had popped into the Littlewoods' cafeteria on the other side of the road? Next up from the cafeteria I think is an office for the BSM driving school, although I need a better magnifying glass to be sure on that! I think this Minx also features in the background of another photograph, which shows an FB Series Vauxhall Victor parked up.
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2. Another Series III Minx.
Had the owner of this next Series III Minx simply pulled over to stretch his legs, or was he in the process of pressing his AA membership into use? We'll never know the answer. This Minx was registered in Bradford during 1959/1960 and, in addition to the AA member's badge, has also been fitted with wing mirrors and a single spotlamp. A radio aerial is also just visible ahead of the screen to the offside, so evidently this smartly-dressed gent enjoyed music or conversation while he propelled his Minx around the lanes of Yorkshire.
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Shortly after publishing the above photo of the Hillman registered as RAK 704, another three photos turned up of the exact same car. Although they aren't of the best quality, it seemed like a shame not to include them here. The first of the three is a front 3/4 view of the Series III Hillman Minx, with a lady sat in the passenger seat and the shadowy outline of a gent sat in the back. I think all of these photos were taken on the same trip to the countryside, as in each shot the car has a dirty offside front hubcap, and a cleaner offside rear 'cap. The only difference is that the first of these extra shots sees the Hillman parked in a field, with the front wheels at a jaunty angle, while photos two and three show it parked in close proximity to a hedge.
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Next, a photo of the same car, with the contents of the passengers' picnic laid out on the ground - note the upturned OXO tin. The lady's warm clothing suggest a day that, perhaps, wasn't overly balmy. Both of the Hillman's offside doors are open, revealing a radio - or wireless as it should really be known - mounted beneath the dashboard.
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Lastly, a view of a gent sat behind the Hillman's steering wheel, tuning in the radio to his favourite station or programme - maybe for the latest episode of The Archers?
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3. Exiting the Hillman.
Coincidentally, the next photo also sees a Minx with a door open - this time the offside rear. A youth, sporting a smart stripey top, is in the process of clambering out of the well-laden car. The roof rack has been put to very good use. Given how low the car is on its springs, I'd bet that the boot is also packed to the top with stuff. Unlike the car shown above, this one has its shiny rear window seal finisher in place. In the background are examples of the Triumph Herald, and Ford Anglia 105E. Peer through the Minx's interior and another car - a Vauxhall Viva HA - can be seen parked alongside the two-tone Hillman.
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4. A travel-weary Series IIIC Minx.
Thanks to Keith McGovern for the next colour photo of a grey Series IIIC Minx, probably captured on film in the late 1960s. It certainly wears its age on its sleeve, or in this case bodywork. 877 LBP was first registered in West Sussex in 1963 (the car could be a 1962 example), and is shown here looking less-than factory-fresh, ie quite tired. The front passenger door and sill are both dented, and rust can be seen breaking out in places, which was a common occurrence on cars of the era once they'd been in use for a few years. The faded paintwork just adds to the overall impression of hard use. Great to see the old Minx, thanks for the photo Keith.
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The location of this scene isn't known to me. The block of flats in the background bears the name "JANEHURST", which may ring a bell with somebody perhaps?
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5. A Series IIIC Minx used as a mobile advertisement.
David provided this next photo of a Minx Series IIIC, in this case used as an advertisement (mobile?) in Oslo, capital city of Norway. I ran a few of the handwritten
phrases shown on the Hillman through a translation tool, but I'm still not much the wiser about what's being promoted here. The phrase scrawled across the bootlid
loosely translates to "He who fishes in another man's water shall lose his gear", while that on the passenger front door refers to a photographic processing
business. Broadly speaking, the text on the front wing reads as follows: "we are such boys that the mothers want us not to be with".
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Whatever the story is with the Minx, it's clearly not in its first flush of youth, and has fallen on hard times compared to when it was new, glistening in a Norwegian Rootes Group dealership. The V4-engined SAAB 96 in front of it hasn't succumbed to the same fate.
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Return to Old Photographs of Cars - Page 4.
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