Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Rootes75 · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2025 10:33 am Post subject: 1947 Hillman Minx

So, back in 2005 I purchased a rather unloved Hillman Minx, we used her for a number of years but then she was parked in the shed while other projects took over.

I've been very much spurred on now in her 20th year of ownership to do all those small jobs required to get her back on the road. I'm not bothered about bodywork, she is tidy enough, presentable.

Currently going through her electrics and then she'll have a good mechanical service. She's a lovely car with a lot of sentiment attached.

And yesterday at Beaulieu autojumble we managed to find 4 NOS hub caps for her, she's always been fitted with later model caps...as many keyboard Warriors have pointed out...
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Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7087 Location: Derby

Is that SFF 386 the lovely grey one?

Rootes75 · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2025 1:25 pm Post subject:

The very one.
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Rootes75 · Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2025 6:42 pm Post subject:

Well, that's the oil, and water done. I cleaned out the header tank too while I had the chance.

New plugs and points fitted, it was good as I've now shown my 13 year old son how to properly set the gaps etc.

The tyres are all checked and pumped up and last night with a little choke and a couple of turns she fired into life. We now plan to drive her out of the garage tomorrow and carry on checking her over before taking her out for a little run around the village.

I did also remember to phone my insurance and add her to our multicar policy today. I will take her off SORN in the morning now too.
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Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22782 Location: UK

Excellent, funnily enough I've seen a few late 30s/late 40s Minxes for sale of late.

RJ
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alastairq · Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 2118 Location: East Yorkshire

Rootes75 · Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2025 8:15 pm Post subject:

Well, after some more fettling this morning, we made it out in the old girl. A decade after she was last on the road!!!!!

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Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7087 Location: Derby

NOT wishing to be critical about your delightful Hillman ...but the sidelights seem to need some adjustment.?

Rootes75 · Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2025 8:32 pm Post subject:

Not critical at all Ray, we took this shot before we drove off and my Son noticed the same thing... Wink

So he adjusted them.
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Various Rootes Vehicles.

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7087 Location: Derby

Keith D · Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2025 4:26 am Post subject:

I love those Hillmans, Rootes75.
Dad bought a wartime Commer utility (ex-RAF) in about 1950. Based on a '39 Minx of course. We had it for years and travelled all over the UK in it. I used to sit under the canvas cover, (like a full size army truck) on one rear wheel box and my brother grabbed the other. Happy days!
Keith
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badhuis · Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 1467 Location: Netherlands

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7087 Location: Derby

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7213 Location: Edinburgh

Very nice old car.

Peter.
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Rootes75 · Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2025 4:53 pm Post subject:

Well, the intention was to take a half day at work yesterday due to it being my Son's 14th Birthday. His request being that I pick him up from school in the Hillman....

She started first time and I drove her out the garage, she sat ticking over nicely on the driveway so I closed the door up and proceeded to drive off out the village the 4 miles or so to Glastonbury.

I got to the other end of the village and she suddenly cut out and I coasted to a stop...I tried to start her but she wouldn't fire at all. I left her a few minutes, full choke and finally she fired only to fade out as soon as I started to move...

This happened for the next say 100 yards until I got to a side road that would get me out of traffics way. Once up there I had to pushed her to turn her round as that was it, she completely packed up. I had to leave her there while I then went and got my modern to pick boy up from school, he wasn't bothered at all, just more excited that he was getting to help out try and fix her!!!

Long story short, we pushed her as far as we could but ended up towing her home. She's now back in the garage ready for us to investigate the fuel lines and fuel pump this coming weekend. We did get as far as checking the carb and she was dry, and yes, she has fuel in her, half a tank.
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Various Rootes Vehicles.