Skip to main content

LOT 6

1960 Hillman Minx IIIA Convertible Chassis no. B 1005701H LCX

Sold for US$16,800 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 6

'From the Maine Classic Car Museum Collection'
1960 Hillman Minx IIIA Convertible

1960 Hillman Minx IIIA Convertible
Chassis no. B 1005701H LCX


1,494cc OHV 4-Cylinder Inline Engine
Single Zenith Carburetor
57bhp at 4,400rpm
3-Speed Manual Transmission with Extra Low Gear
Front Suspension by Coil Spring, Leaf Spring Rear Suspension
4-Wheel Drum Brakes

*Believed to be one of three dozen surviving cars in the USA
*Attractive color scheme
*Formerly in a prominent mid-Western Collection


THE CAR OFFERED

First used by Hillman in 1932, the Minx name continued on the company's medium-sized saloon in the post-war era. All post-war Minxes featured unitary construction bodies and by the mid-1950s the old side-valve engine had been phased out in favor of a new 1,390cc overhead-valve power unit. The latter was enlarged to 1,494cc on the Minx Series III of 1958, the latter gaining distinctive tail fins for 1959 when it became the IIIA. Those 1959-60 Series IIIA Hillmans sported a new split grille, larger windshield and at the rear vertical tail lamps and light fins were added.

The 1950s/60s generation of Hillmans drew influence from the Sunbeam Rapier, and with its origins coming from the pen of none other than Raymond Loewy, it is perhaps surprising that the cars struggled to gain sales traction. Ultimately, they were deemed to be a little too austere in their appointments and by American standards underpowered, rather than appropriately powered. Priced in close parity to a Corvette for a Deluxe version, in retrospect it is not too surprising which option the vast majority of buyers chose.

Today, thanks to the modern age of the internet, the modest number of cars that are known to survive in the U.S. are charted and is believed to be around three dozen, making them exceptionally rare. Owing to its left-hand drive configuration and odometer in miles this would almost certainly be one of those rare derivatives of the model.

The car was acquired for the collection in late 2020 at a dispersal sale of the Mid-West based collector Najeeb Khan. It is not known where he acquired the car, but it had clearly been the subject of a sympathetic restoration in relatively recent years to judge from how it presents today. The exterior appears to be finished in Rootes' Lake Blue paintwork, which is blended with a sky-blue interior and royal blue fabric top.

An appealing and fun 1960s convertible, this Minx lays on the charm.

Additional information

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our Cars specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

Specialist section

Auction Viewings

  • 23 January 2024, 09:00 - 18:00 MST
  • 24 January 2024, 09:00 - 18:00 MST
  • 25 January 2024, 09:00 - 10:00 MST

Bid now on these items

1914 Sunbeam 3½hp
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1914 Sunbeam 3½hp

£8,000 - £12,000
1933 Velocette 349cc KTT MkIV
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1933 Velocette 349cc KTT MkIV

£14,000 - £18,000
1975 Ducati 750 GT
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1975 Ducati 750 GT

£8,000 - £10,000
Yamaha Banshee 350. Custom Made Le Mans Edition, 2004.
Denmark

Yamaha Banshee 350. Custom Made Le Mans Edition, 2004.

DKK80,000 - DKK100,000
2011 Bugatti Type 52 by Authentic Models
Denmark

2011 Bugatti Type 52 by Authentic Models

DKK100,000 - DKK150,000
1989 Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9
Denmark

1989 Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9

DKK120,000 - DKK180,000
A Singer 'Xtraordinary' lever-driven 'Safety bicycle', circa 1882,
United Kingdom

A Singer 'Xtraordinary' lever-driven 'Safety bicycle', circa 1882,

£8,000 - £12,000
Offered from the 'Somerset Hoard', barn stored since circa 1939 1913 Belsize 10/12hp Open Tourer
United Kingdom

Offered from the 'Somerset Hoard', barn stored since circa 1939
1913 Belsize 10/12hp Open Tourer

£10,000 - £15,000