Hillman Audax Minx Series III

Manufacturer	Rootes Group
Class	Motor Car
Production	1956 to 1967
Assembly	United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, New Zealand
Body style	4-door saloon 2-door convertible 4-door estate
Engine	1,592 cc I4

The Hillman Minx Audax Series III was a British car built from 1958 until 1963.

History

The Hillman Minx Audax Series III was built as the Series III first in 1958, the Series IIIA in 1959, the Series IIIB in 1960, and Series IIIC in 1961 until 1963.

The Audax body was designed by the Rootes Group, but helped by the Raymond Loewy design organisation, who were involved in the design of Studebaker coupés in 1953.The Hillman is a four-seater saloon weighing some 21-cwt. powered by an engine of 56 b.h.p. with a maximum speed of about 80 m.p.h. Now with improved larger brakes which increase the lining area from 92 sq. in. to 121 sq. in. with A pedal pressure of 120 lb.,

The car went through a series of annual face lifts each given a Series number, replacing the Mark number used on the previous Minxes; there was no Series IV.A variety of manual transmissions, with column or floor change, and automatic transmissions were offered. For the automatic version the Mark III used a Smiths Easidrive.The automatic gear-changing automatic clutches and manual gear selection. Made by Smiths and developed for a
number of years as the "Easidrive," is quite different from the normal, fluid-drive automatic transmissions by use of electro-magnetic clutches and automatic selection of three forward gear ratios. From the driver's seat the selector lever and its indicator panel on the steering column the lever can be moved to Drive, Second or Neutral and, by lifting it over a safety spring-loaded catch, to Reverse, which should not be engaged before the car has come completely to rest. Changes into second and top gears are governed automatically by a control box matching road speed and throttle response.

The separate front seats are well-padded and comfortable over a long journey. Visibility, is helped by a new, deeper windscreen. a heating system with the ability to blow warm air on to the floor and cool air on to the windscreen level. Both standard and deluxe come with parcel shelf running the full width of the car has taken the place of a lockable glove box there is ample capacity for luggage at the rear. Instruments: Speedometer with non-decimal,
total distance recorder, fuel gauge, water thermometer, Warning lights; Dynamo charge, oil pressure, indicator, headlamp main beam, Locks: With ignition key Ignition, both front doors. Ashtrays One under facia, one behind front seat Interior lights One with courtesy switches and Interior heater.

Optional, Smiths Optional Extras Heater, radio, oil pressure gauge, ammeter (standard with Easidrive transmission), bumper over-riders. separate
front seats. Upholstery material Floor covering Rubber and carpet

Exterior colours standardized 6 single, Alternative body styles 6 two-tone.

Some models were re-badged in certain markets, with the Sunbeam and Humber marques used for some exports. The New Zealand importer/assembler Todd Motors created the Humber 80 and Humber 90, badge-engineered models based respectively on the Minx and Super Minx, as a way to secure scarce additional import licences for CKD assembly kits. Although the 90 was identical to the Super Minx, the cheaper 80 could be spotted by a horizontal bar grille design. The Audax Minx was also built in Japan by Isuzu Motors as the Isuzu Hillman Minx under licence from Rootes between September 1956 and June 1964 Isuzu produced their own unique estate car version, the Isuzu Hillman Express, from 1958 to 1964.

Series III 1494 cc engine

• Top speed of 76.9 mph (123.8 km/h)
• Accelerate from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 25.4 seconds.
• Fuel consumption of 31.8 miles per imperial gallon (8.9 L/100 km; 26.5 mpg_‑US)

Hillman Audax Minx in Heartbeat tv series