By popular demand, I have now set up a Patreon page! If you enjoy my videos, then please do consider supporting Twin-Cam with a donation. www.patreon.com/twincam
@ianmiller18793 жыл бұрын
been watching you from day one, james may eat your heart out, this man is going to take your crown,amazing videos from such a young lad, tv will be after you soon am sure of it.
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Hahaha thanks Ian :)
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
@Marc Jeffery Actually no. Growing up is realising that James May is both the most entertaining and interesting of those three.
@megapangolin10933 жыл бұрын
Great review of a true classic. So gratifying to see a review that isnt concentrated on going faster and ludicrous handling performance. Well done.
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Thanks mate ☺️
@stephenjcuk75623 жыл бұрын
Good to see. No complaints about what it hasn't got, just acknowledgement of everything it has got and the thought that went into it.
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Stephen ☺️
@Vince_uk3 жыл бұрын
These were a nice car, I remember driving one of these with a friend across the A66 in mid winter and very thick fog in the early 0's on my way to a weekend military training. It was pale green and white.
@danielk703 жыл бұрын
As always, a very good presentation.
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Daniel ☺️
@raephluckins85873 жыл бұрын
Someone get this guy a tv show
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Aww thank you mate ☺️
@john_smith14713 жыл бұрын
@Raeph Luckins: In a way Twin-cam has made this YT channel his tv show, i believe in the last 18 months there have been more than 2 million views.
@warrenny3 жыл бұрын
True! I don't know how he sounds to the British, but to an American ear, his voice sounds modern, yet with classic British notes. Reminds me of a Harry Potter character....a good thing.
@wanderinggentile3 жыл бұрын
@@warrenny I love that there is a pleasant hint of Northern England in Ed's accent. It's more accessible than posh London voices to my American ears.
@hugebartlett1884 Жыл бұрын
I would advise that he stay away from television. Top Gear started well,only to become a ridiculous personality show,bearing little relevance to actual motoring.
@Tawny67022 жыл бұрын
The one good thing I remember about my dads old Hillman Minx was how smooth and quiet it was, the bad part was that as it aged it began to rust and rot like crazy, it wasn’t really that visible on the surface but bits just kept dropping off while being driven%!
@dolken2 Жыл бұрын
A Hillman Minx 1600 was my dad´s first car. I remember it well and that it brought so much joy in my childhood. I still remember the license plate. It was a very good car.
@markthompson503 жыл бұрын
You are a complete natural at this. My father had two of these (later series) in his lifetime, one to use & one for spares. As a kid I used to use the spares car as a den! The Minx brings back so many good memories for me so thank you.
@bonnetlid3 жыл бұрын
I loved my dad’s minx. My parents use to plonk me on the bonnet when they were gardening
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Mark, that's very kind :)
@warrenny3 жыл бұрын
@@TwinCam My guy! Where have you been? We need more Twin Cam videos, please!
@seanhumfrey3 жыл бұрын
Well done again Ed. Writing and research are excellent. Not merely a you tuber but a true and engaging journalist in the making. 👍
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Sean, that's very kind :)
@shankarbalan38133 жыл бұрын
First Class. As always. Lovely history. Great respect shown to these iconic marques. A tip of my hat to you mate!
@seansands4243 жыл бұрын
My dad had one just like that in 1971
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Thanks mate ☺️
@davecooper32383 жыл бұрын
I remember working on these & sister vehicles. The most regular fault was seized rear wheel cylinders. The hand brake would work while the foot brake often would not. I experienced this in the pre rolling road days when the brake checks were carried out during a road test using a Tapley Meter placed in the passenger footwell. It was possible for the footbrake to pass the test without the rear brakes operating. When this came to light the Department of Transport changed the MOT test so that you had to have the rear wheels off the ground. Then check the rear brakes worked by having an assistant operate the brake pedal.
@philipsudron Жыл бұрын
For two years we (my dad) had the exact same model and colour scheme. This was in South Arabia during the early to mid-sixties. During the hot season the upholstery would be extremely hot. There were no windscreen wipers because the rubber would have melted and it only rained twice while we were there. It was beautiful and completely trouble free car. A few years later, back in England we had an Arrow type Minx with automatic transmission.
@MyTROLLEYBUS3 жыл бұрын
Charming informative video by a young man too young to have been around when the car was. Well done. Brought back happy memories of my fathers 1958 Minx VRU 604 purchased second-hand from George Hartwell Bournemouth. I still have my fathers logs of many European trips taken in the '58 Minx & his earlier 1953 Minx MLJ 608. Many an Alpine pass was stormed including I think an un-paved Stelvio! Dad really wanted a Rapier & I did buy a used 1959 Alpine. In the 1980's I campaigned a concours winning Series 11 Alpine so my family were well Rooted in such cars.
@boggy76653 жыл бұрын
I do see a similarity in styling to the Studebakers of the era. The grille and the reverse-slant rear door glass, most obviously. I like the horn, sounds like my Buick Apollo which was mostly a Chevrolet Nova but had a proper Buick horn.
@TheHorsebox23 жыл бұрын
I have one identical to this, and couldn't believe the horn tone. Lovely sound. Very American.
@justinforrest16133 жыл бұрын
Where have you been? Hope all is well mate
@NYKgjl103 жыл бұрын
I remember seeing an Audax at a local car show over 25' years ago and I must say for being a 50's auto, it looks like something from the 70's of Its exterior style. I live in California and every once in a blue moon, I still see the Hillman Minx in action. Once again, excellent bio vid.
@mrbennetts3 жыл бұрын
I’d never even wondered where the name Hillman came from. Now I know, thank you Ed. Lovely car and review.
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Sam ☺️
@bcfairlie13 жыл бұрын
I have fond memories of these. As a little kid in the 1970s I had a great aunt that owned a green and white one. At the same time a great uncle who owned a red and white one.. both were column change. Here in New Zealand we got the same car but called the Humber 80. I love this styling. I would kill for a Sunbeam Rapier of the same period.
@malcolmmason59333 жыл бұрын
P
@jetsons1013 жыл бұрын
Long time no hear.... Hope all is well
@silvereith3 жыл бұрын
Nice review, genuine car with bubbles in the appropriate places. My father had a Glen Green and Foam White 111C 1592 model in 1963. My mother looked at the size of the boot and gave it her seal of approval. After that came two Super Minxes and two Arrow Sceptres. Rootes fanaticism spread to yours truly as I have owned six Sunbeam Alpines and a Tiger!
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Jack
@seantaylor97583 жыл бұрын
Used to get picked up from school in one of these in the mid 70's so I guess the Minx was getting on a it then as pre A reg. I've managed to keep a few of my Dad's cars including the Austin 1300 and his Triumph2.5PI estate
@johnfaulkner67763 жыл бұрын
I took my driving test in a Hillman Minx with a column change. Half way down Watfords only hill third gear abruptly jumped out. I recovered the situation and having assured the examiner it had never happened before ( wasn't a practised manoevre) returned to Clarenden Road and a pass!
@derekstocker66613 жыл бұрын
Similar thing happened to me on my test in a Ford Consul Mk I, (1956 mod, column change as well) the clutch started to give up but I managed to keep it going and explained to tester that I had a problem and he passed me too! Wonder if it would happen now.
@johnfaulkner67763 жыл бұрын
@@derekstocker6661 my dad had a green mk I Consul (633APU) amazing to recall. As you say three speed column change. The Minx was 4 speed, much more complicated! He then had 2 Zephyr mk 2's , an Austin 1800 land landcrab, a mk1 then a mk 2 Triumph 2000 lastly a Peugot 504 and then he died.
@derekstocker66613 жыл бұрын
@@johnfaulkner6776 RIP dad, John thanks for reply, some super cars there no doubt!
@barryjohnson1272 жыл бұрын
Passed my test in Watford matey.1970 .born and bred.they were better time's not the shithole it's today.loved my minxy the starting handle got me out of the shit many times.just out of interest do you remember top rank on Saturday nights they were good days., and football at vicarage road ,up the HORNETS.
@johnfaulkner67762 жыл бұрын
@@barryjohnson127 my parents lived in Leverstock Green, so Hemel and St Albans were nearer for social fun but Watford was the test center.
@brendonrutherford51183 жыл бұрын
Absolutely superb motoring video enabling us to look back at motoring as it was some years ago!! Very professionally done indeed, easy to look at & so obviously narrated by a young Englishman whom I can surely understand what he is talking about!! Actually faultless!! What's next please???
@philwardle73692 жыл бұрын
My father bought the same year model (with a column shift) second hand in about 1965 and we drove it all over the east coast of Australia on our holidays; it never let us down. I even learned to drive in it in 1969. It had a dodgy front seat slider by then and when I took off on one drive the seat shot backwards and I lost my grip on the steering wheel... exciting times, lol.
@tom0kiely3 жыл бұрын
My Dad's first car in 1966. I do recall the front bench seat in red vinyl with the hand brake on the right. The curves and bronze paintwork made it look similar to my James Bond Aston Martin toy car - I was only 6 at the time.
@dmmcharrie26983 жыл бұрын
Another great presentation! My Dad had a similar colour schemed Super Minx ‘62 hastily purchased as the parents needed something bigger than a Mini to cart yours truly around in 1967, but they had gone via an Austin 1300 first without a great deal of success. I do vaguely remember the Super Minx. To me it was huge. It was written off, when a new Escort came out of a side road and was confused! Right into the path of my Dad, and the Super Minx. That was summer 1972, the Escort was a mess, thankfully no one was actually hurt. The Super Minx near side wing and headlight. Insurance wrote it off, Dad bought it back put a wing and headlight on it and it plodded on for a little longer! To be replaced by a couple of mini’s a van & car.
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Thanks mate ☺️
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Rootes cars certainly had thicker steel than their competitors!
@davebicker86183 жыл бұрын
Yet another excellent review of a fine motor. I had a '66 Series 6 car, and loved it to pieces. The steel on these cars (and the Super Minx) was of a far heavier gauge than most of their rivals. One thing you couldn't convey on the vid was the smell... the whiff of the interior on a hot day was exquisite. Very impressed by the car and your presenting skills.
@TheHorsebox23 жыл бұрын
It's all about the interior smell. Heady indeed!
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Dave :)
@simprove2 жыл бұрын
Our first family car was a 1962 Series IIIC Minx 1600 deluxe (I think deluxe meant you got a heater). Very comfortable to ride in and I loved the styling, especially the wrap around front and rear screens. It was the first car I ever drove too (at the age of 15). We were on holiday in the New Forest and came across a disused airfield. Out of the blue my Dad asked me if I wanted to have a go at driving it since we weren't on public roads. An unforgettable experience for me in a wonderful and much loved car. One detail I remember was the headlamp dip switch being in the footwell. Not unusual back then but it was new to me and I was fascinated by it. The other thing that sticks in my mind were the hefty springs that assisted opening the bootlid and the noise they made as the boot was opened and closed.
@dennisrobinson75873 жыл бұрын
I used to own a 1957 Minx, and out of all the cars I’ve owned that was one of the cheapest.Other than a new exhaust it never gave me any problems.I Also owned a1962 Rapier
@davesalmon24922 жыл бұрын
My Freind had a column change which took us everywhere he fitted a beer barrel with a pump on the parcel shelf. Out in the morning picked up a French bread stick pate and a few friends and off we went into the Worcestershire countryside. Lovely simple memories of a great car. 👍
@markchandler903 жыл бұрын
These were common sights in Southern California during the 1960s when I was growing up.
@paulk99853 жыл бұрын
Yes... I remember a classmate's father drove one into the late 70s. Other than that, I didn't see many So Cal (OC).
@martentrudeau69482 жыл бұрын
The Minx looks very classic 1950's, and a nicely designed practical family car. Raymond Loewy styling is good as he did with Studebakers in USA. I like the interior head room and the proper horn!!! All in all, the Minx is a winner for me. Thanks Twin-Cam.
@Mancozeb1003 жыл бұрын
Great... lovely review, Ed. Top notch research and presentation. 👍🏻 And also, appreciated your including shots of those lovely buildings too. Thanks, man.
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Thanks mate, that’s very kind ☺️
@franka25073 жыл бұрын
Glad to see one in such pristine condition , I do remember British Guyana had ton of British cars working as taxis !
@keithbrowning38992 жыл бұрын
My father loved Rootes cars. Two Minx and a Singer Gazelle - 1959-65.
@martindoe60993 жыл бұрын
Another quality video. Back in the early 1980's my girlfriend had two. A 3C with floor change and then a 3A with column change. Thanks for bringing back a lot of memories.
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Martin ☺️
@dezmondwhitney12083 жыл бұрын
My father liked his, which he had in 1964/65 if I remember correctly. It took him, my mother and 3 children in comfort. A great car, my Father really rated it a lot. Many Thanks.
@unclekevin50943 жыл бұрын
My dad had one of these when I was a child of 5 or si6, but i still remember it vividly. It was two tone with white or cream and light brown. His previous car, as with almost everyone else on the street , had been a jet black Ford of some sort, of second world war vintage, and everyone wanted to come and try out this new shaped and multi-colored car. He only kept it for a few years and then moved on to a "Humber Hawk" which I believe was also made by the Roots Group. I would love to get hold of a Minx now and have it electrified. I know that sounds like sacrilege but it would provide modern performance with old school style. Great video which really brought back the good old days.
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Thanks mate, I've also done a video on a Hawk, you'll be able to see it on my channel :)
@PGPyramid12 жыл бұрын
Reminds me of the two spinster ladies who lived across the back from me when I was a nipper. They had one, and really objected to footballs and other small boy toys coming anywhere near it. Great video, thanks!
@TwinCam2 жыл бұрын
Thanks mate :)
@paulcuthbert83532 жыл бұрын
My parents owned a 1960 Hillman Minx just like the one previewed except it was cream & beige in colour! They owned it until it failed the MoT in 1980 & learned to drive in it before I passed my test in the late 1970’s! Lovely car, nippy & good handling for the era! Also, you didn’t mention that it had a hole in the middle of the front bumper for the starter handle even though it had a starter motor? Handy for flat battery starts in the winter! And that first gear whine is a classic sound from the 1950’s, 60’s & 70’s! Great video BTW that brought back great memories! Thank you!
@stephenphillip56563 жыл бұрын
My parents got their 1st car (a 1959 Hillman Minx {YWW 854}) in 1966 when a family friend bought a new Triumph 1300. Mobility at last! At 11 years old, it was wonderful to see a bit more of the world through the back windows. Great memories- thank you for your interesting and informative look at this piece of motoring history.
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Stephen :)
@hrxy13 жыл бұрын
I had a 1956 mk7 husky, side valve. I changed the engine for mk8 ohv. What a job, I used to cry over problems encountered but eventually I did it
@MrBongoagogo Жыл бұрын
Iam impressed with your knowledge of old classic British cars .good to see a young man taking interest in British cars.keep it up Ed.
@aslc25477 ай бұрын
Friends of my parents had an almost identical 60/61 Minx , same shade of blue in 66/67 . Many happy rides in that car . They replaced it with an Arrow range Minx around 1969.
@rydermike332 жыл бұрын
What a lovely example. My kind of motor car. Thank you.
@drakevevo37103 жыл бұрын
my grandad had one of these and drove it around the family farm in rainford when he was 16, it was a scrap car theyd bought cheap but sitting down and listening to my grandads stories is always interesting and he recalls very fond memories of him and his sister ragging it around the farm haha love your channel man, absolutely one of the best car channels out there!
@michaelguerin562 жыл бұрын
Thank you. Good info. My father’s car when he got married in 1961 was a Hillman ‘Audax’ Minx. It apparently worked very well driving up from Levin to the THC Chateau for ski weekends at Whakapapa ski field. That was back in the days when SH1 over the Mangawekas was a winding gravel on papa rock route.
@valandilelfstone2 жыл бұрын
Beautiful cars remember them well and fondly and its still looking good
@andrewpreston41273 жыл бұрын
A 1961 Minx like this one was my family's car in the mid '60's. Colour was 2 tone, light green with cream. As a 12 year old, I really liked this car. It was definitely a step up from the utilitarian Ford Escort/Squire estate that it replaced as the family car. I've never previously heard it referred to as 'Audax', and it certainly wasn't known as such to the general public back then. I remember the Minx as being a comfortable ride, decent amount of go for the time. The short throw gearshift was definitely a better experience than the many long wand renditions that were common at the time. Liked the front bench seat. ( Something that could do with a comeback, in my opinion ). Front grill very Studebaker ( see the Hawk ). A couple of years ago, I checked the DVLA database for the number plate. 810 SP now adorns a Chelsea Tractor. Yes, a *&*&**ing big black Range Rover. Thoroughly disgusted.
@garytarr82163 жыл бұрын
This was my 4th car . A 1960 model bought in 1974 for 60 quid . Ran it for 8 months and 10,000 miles . Never needed any oil . Sold it for 80 quid
@gabbymadsen72602 жыл бұрын
That care is super cute! I'd drive a Minx today if I could find one.
@judethaddaeus97423 жыл бұрын
Lovely video, as usual. As an American, I know less about the overlooked Rootes cars than I do the marques that came together under BL, even though I’ve long been more interested in Rootes. So I genuinely appreciate your efforts here. Knowing that they were high-quality cars with sensible luxuries often missing on competitors, just reaffirms my interest in and admiration for Rootes. Sweet styling and lovely interior? What’s not to like? Here in Portland, Oregon, I see an eggshell white Sunbeam-badged Minx VI saloon slipping through traffic on occasion, and I always glance admiringly at it. Still running and still looking proud and sweet. Thank you for using your platform to bring to light overlooked cars like these. It’s time very well spent.
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Jude :) It's lovely to hear things like this.
@judethaddaeus97423 жыл бұрын
@@TwinCam As an American, I don’t fully understand how Brits like you might receive or feel about compliments. But I hope you take them to heart, Ed. You do good work. You clearly care about it and enjoy it. So it only makes sense that it would resonate with folks like me who care, too. You are a proud Metro owner and care about and see the value in a lot of cars that most enthusiasts - much less the general public - overlook or even denigrate. At about your age, I was a proud AMC Gremlin owner attracted to similar stuff, and caught plenty of flak for it. So I hope you know how appreciated your work and your perspective are. Cheers. :)
@21stcenturyozman203 жыл бұрын
Thanks, Ed, for another excellent vid! There were a few Minxes in my youth, including Pater’s 1948 model and an aunt’s 1956 Audax. (The ’48 Minx conformed to the stereotype of many British cars of that era: its 35 hp side-valve mill wouldn’t pull the skin off a cold custard, and with 24 seconds to attain 50 mph it was no rocket, even for its time.) I learned something new from today’s piece: that Raymond Loewy influenced its design (obvious, once you mentioned it, in the C-pillar style and also the bonnet/nose). As a big fan of 1950s Studebakers (among the few Yank tanks I ever liked - a ’53 Stude Champion was the first car I drove on a public road) I am an admirer of Loewy’s work. Thanks for making that connection. @ 10:42 - “Rootes cars have proper horns.” Indeed they did! I like a proper horn. Most of my old British cars, from the humble to the great, had proper horns, not the pathetic pipsqueaks of today. Keep up the great work, Ed! :-)
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Thanks again mate :)
@SQLRYAN3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for memories. My uncle had a Minx back in mid 60's, used to look forward for his visit so I can get a ride in the Minx. I've been putting together a 59 Husky for a while. Hunting for parts in U.S. is a challenge but fun in a weird way.
@bonnetlid3 жыл бұрын
Omg what a beautiful car and classic shape. I love this car so much
@cluricaun783 жыл бұрын
Love your natural presentation skills! :) Really looking forward to your next episode.
@dougnolan55673 жыл бұрын
Excellent..love these cars..👍👍
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Doug
@bobatwell75052 жыл бұрын
Learned to drive in my fathers Hillman Minx . The handbrake was on the right and the floor was prone to rot where it was situated !! Interesting video .
@johnjephcote76362 жыл бұрын
In the mid fifties we had the earlier Minx, about the size of an A35. I never knew what series it was as there was a pre-war Minx. I learned to drive on a Husky. I liked that very much and it was useful. I picked up a cl.5 loco chimney in back of the Husky weighing 3.5 cwt. My neigbour had this larger Minx and I drove it once or twice. I think it had steering wheel shift.
@bignaughtydog2 жыл бұрын
Beautiful. Thank you. Steve Cornwall UK.
@railtrolley3 жыл бұрын
My grandfather had a red series V into the 1970's. I recently saw a series IIIB survivor, daily driver, in similar colours to the review vehicle. Possibly Windsor Blue and Moonstone. Brisbane, Australia. Some detail differences on this Australian assembled variant: bumper over-riders, eyebrows over the head lights, and 3 stacked round tail lights. The roof was the blue grey body colour. The 2nd colour was a side flash the length of the car, on the belt line. Bordered with chrome strips.
@juanjodrax12093 жыл бұрын
To an American observer the grill and front end lines are very similar to the Ford Anglia 105E. Love your videos on quirky little cars we don't have many of across the pond!
@stevedickson58533 жыл бұрын
..both look cute
@ijg44272 жыл бұрын
I had a new one each year as my employer provided them to travel in England and Wales. I especially liked the short gear lever I remember that the only motorway was just from Hendon to near Leicester. I lived about halfway near Leighton Buzzard. The top speed was just 80. There was no speed limit and very few vehicles on the Motorway
@billtuckwell13993 жыл бұрын
Passed my driving test in one of these. Then drove my father's 1963 Hillman Super Minx for a number of years. Both were built like tanks compared to th Arrow range. This is when they lost their way. Thanks for a great honest review.
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Bill. I can't vouch for the later Rootes stuff, but the Hawk and Minx of this era have such an aura of quality that BMC and Ford equivalents just lack.
@asa19731003 жыл бұрын
I can’t wait for you be able to drive these cars... that is where you will really exhale . Fabulous review again
@john_smith14713 жыл бұрын
# excel #
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Neither can I!
@stevenlawrie78193 жыл бұрын
Brilliant as always Ed . Always loved the Minx. My father's neighbour still has a Husky estate :-)
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Thanks mate :)
@gryfandjane3 жыл бұрын
Very enjoyable review! I recall seeing the various Rootes models here in Missouri USA as a kid in the 60s, and I loved their styling even then. Until you mentioned it, I didn’t realize that Raymond Leowy was behind their design, and yes... you can easily see many design cues that also distinguished Studebakers of the era. Thanks as always!
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Thanks mate ☺️
@markgatland9773 жыл бұрын
The first family car I remember us having when I was very young, (before we had our fantastic MK3 Cortina GXL), was a 'D' reg ('66?), blue Hillman Minx 😊
@rogerallen98422 жыл бұрын
How cute and so is the Minx
@georgec7899 Жыл бұрын
Thank you great post . i had one exactly same colour and remember decoke the top end on the engine that was in 1964 REG 860 NBH Wish i had kept it so simple to use not like the electronic complex vehicles now.Drove it all over Scotland never let me down bought second hand from a dealer in Edinburgh
@marcusmaddenov24512 жыл бұрын
When my parents were stationed in the United Kingdom my mother had one, she loved that car!
@campingramen18413 жыл бұрын
As an American, I have always been intrigued by the British car industry and your videos certainly help (and your videos are entertaining, so good combination)
@chrispenn7153 жыл бұрын
They did consider bringing out a posher version of the Commer Cob for Italy; the Commer Ciabbata :-)
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Quality Comment.
@simonhodgetts65303 жыл бұрын
I believe in parts of the UK it was known as the Commer Bap.
@chrispenn7153 жыл бұрын
When I was a kid, my grandad had a '59 Minx and my dad had a '60 Minx - both in two tone like this one, but with a turquoise rather than blue/gray. Good solid cars in their day. That bench seat was perfect for 6-year old me to sit between my grandparents.... Enjoyed the review thanks
@johnvanstone53363 жыл бұрын
Excellent informative video, well worth watching 🇬🇧
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Thanks John ☺️
@georgechecker49412 жыл бұрын
Excellent commentary, recommend watching this guy, well done.
@heronimousbrapson8633 жыл бұрын
I remember these here in Canada (with left-hand drive, of course).
@Geoffroxx2 жыл бұрын
I had a Black one as a paddock car from 1975 - 1979, it came to grief that year when it hit a table drain and bent front sub frame.
@garygreen75522 жыл бұрын
One of my uncles here in Pasadena, Calif., USA, had at one time a Minx. It was unusual in that it had a fabric roof section that when opened made the front seat open-air, a half convertible. The car was a mid to late 50's model and had left-hand drive.
@alejandrayalanbowman3673 жыл бұрын
I had a 1956 Hillman Minx that was known as the 'Gayline' with the full width grill. Prior to that I had a 1952 Minx Mk 5, both of there were excellent cars.
@davidhynd44353 жыл бұрын
Enjoyed the video. I learned to drive in my mum's 1960 Series IIIB Minx with a column shift. I don't think synchromesh was available until about the Series V or VI cars, so if this example has synchromesh on first it must be fitted with a later gearbox. The paintwork on this example is not original. The upper colour on two tone cars should extend down to the boot and down as far as the chrome strip on the rear wings. My mum's car was Moonstone over Windsor Blue, a popular colour combination. All Minxes of this era had white painted wheels, which, if memory serves correctly, was the same as the upper colour on my mum's car, Moonstone. Rootes cars commonly had either red or blue upholstery which was very hard wearing. Hillman Minxes were solid, dependable cars with, as you mentioned, splashes of Raymond Loewy styling flair. Popular enough here in Australia that they were assembled from CKD kits at the Port Melbourne factory. One of the biggest issues with them was rust. The Audax Minx was Rootes' first real foray into fully monocoque construction. They hedged their bets a bit, however, and if you look underneath the front of the car you can see large chassis rails that run from the front of the engine bay to about where the firewall is. Rust was common at the base of door panels and wings because Rootes, apparently nervous about monocoque construction, built the Minx with inner, outer AND centre panels. It made for sturdy construction, but created very narrow gaps at the bottom of doors and wings where the three panels came together meaning that moisture tended to remain trapped there, leading to rust. The little Minx. Largely forgotten, perhaps, but there are those of us who do remember them as well built, endearing little cars.
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Thanks David. I’m just taking my information from the sources I find. Every one of them states that one of the changes for the 3B was synchros all through the box.
@The-Rectifier3 жыл бұрын
Great vid (and a very ingenious solution for keeping the tailgate closed🤣🤣)
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Haha thanks mate
@Tobadaddy3 жыл бұрын
Very good overview of the Minx. I appreciated the creative camera angle when you opened the trunk. Looking forward to your upcoming efforts.
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Thanks mate :) Though I haven't uploaded anything since this, I'll be back in a few weeks.
@warrenny3 жыл бұрын
Oh yeah!! This is such a cool car!
@kenthompson65393 жыл бұрын
Thanks for all the info, I used to drive a Humber scepter. But it's long gone, but what I liked about it was overdrive in every gear, almost like 8 gears. I'm from N. Ireland
@stevenleek12543 жыл бұрын
Raymond Lowry is a kind of Hero in the U.S.. To me he ranks high among the best designer/stylists of the 1930s, 40s and 50s. The supercharged Golden Hawk is my "Made here" dream car
@jakekaywell59723 жыл бұрын
Raymond Loewy is most prominently known for the Avanti and the '53 coupe at Studebaker, but Bob Bourke also contributed significantly to the latter design. The mid-to-late 1950s Golden Hawks and 1960s GT Hawks were not designed by Loewy in any capacity. They were designed by Studebaker's in-house design team and Brooks Stevens respectively.
@paulmcaleer27363 жыл бұрын
Another great review - you’re always very relaxing to listen to Ed! Please remember me when you make it big in TV!
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Haha thanks Paul :)
@bokhans2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for another nice presentation from a subscriber in Scandinavia.
@andrewthompsonuk12 жыл бұрын
I remember sitting in the middle at the front many times. These cars were called Humber 80s in New Zealand. As far as I remember they were all column shift with 4 gears.
@generatorjohn45373 жыл бұрын
I'm from the states. My grandfather bought a Hillman Minx wagon, believe year 1959. It had the shifter on the column. Your featured car's instrument panel looks very similar to my grandfather's dash. Nice job on the video.
@FredPilcher3 жыл бұрын
We had a Hillman Gazelle. It was a very classy car with its beautiful wallnut dash and door caping, a Borg-Warner 4 speed auto, and even dimable blinker repeaters and high beam indicators. :-) It had the Sunbeam Alpine engine, so it had adequate power. It was replaced by the Chrysler offering, which was absollute crap by comparison.
@riotagus3 жыл бұрын
Another great video, thank you.
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Thanks mate ☺️
@jetsons1013 жыл бұрын
Hi Ed, since finding your channel I have learned more about British cars than I thought possible as when I was a kid in the U.S. the only British cars I remember were Jaguar, MG Triumph and a few Mini's here and there, my dad did have a 67 XKE 4.2 fix head coupe--"great car." Raymond Loewy also did the Studebaker Avanti, a design way ahead of it's time. I appreciate the respect you have for your viewers and the variety of your content. Where you recorded this is a great location, the shots of those red brick buildings and random equipment really add to the video, anywhere near Manchester? Your quality shines again....
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Thanks again Mike :)
@jetsons1013 жыл бұрын
@@TwinCam Where have you been??? Lots of school work??? Really missed your videos. Anything new coming up? Did you get the pic's we sent?? Stay safe.......
@ianvicedomini26483 жыл бұрын
A very professional presentation mate. Great video
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Ian ☺️
@mikeenglish64013 жыл бұрын
Hi Ed But it’s not Sunday morning....... Great to see your vlogs back and this one is an excellent one! Mike
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Mike, I’m switching to Saturdays! This is the second one to have moved over.
@humphreygokart21352 жыл бұрын
Thanks, mate. Love your videos, relaxing, knowledgable, intelligent and well put together with no smartarse Clarkson pretentiousness. And your feel for the period - well, clearly you've been here before.
@TheHorsebox23 жыл бұрын
Wow. I'm currently restoring one of these. 1959, in those exact colours. Thanks for another excellent presentation. And the encouragement to keep going!
@TwinCam3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Sean :)
@davidtaylor3513 жыл бұрын
In New Zealand the local builder and distributor of Rootes Group and Chrysler vehicles Todd Motors. Sold both the Hillman Minx and a re badged version called the Humber 80. And also later, alongside the Hillman Super Minx, a version called the Humber 90. These cars had different trim details and grille designs etc, from their Hillman stablemates. Todds did this because, in those days in NZ. There was an import licensing scheme applied to vehicle imports. (Long since gone). So by effectively creating new and separate models, from the same car. It meant, they could import twice as many (ckd) assembly kits and components. And therefore produce and sell twice as many - of essentially the same car.