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Old and IN The Way

chris roop

Jedi Hopeful
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I saw where you owned a Hillman Minx. Neat cars! Did you ever see the National Geo article many years back about racing Hillmans, etc., on the river banks at low tide in England?
 
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Old and In the Way:
...given the power to weight ratio, I can't stop laughing at the idea of racing them.<hr></blockquote>

Hold on there! My first car (shared with my best friend, actually) was a "racing Hillman".
We got the car in '66 from a local fellow who'd given up racing (he said it couldn't keep up with the Simcas). It was used as a Mini-Stocker at places like New Egypt Speedway and Wall Stadium (local roundy-round tracks here in NJ). Car had a full-cage (from old plumbing pipes), one seat, welded doors, no exhaust manifold (flames directly out of the engine!), and suspension that was chained on one side (to cant it over for the turns). It was a '51 Minx flathead. We drove it as a "woodscar" around the NJ Pine Barrens trails for several months before frying the clutch (because we kept messing up the 4-speed, column shifter). My Dad eventually took the motor out and put it in a clamboat! We went for a hike in the woods behind my parent's house last Summer and found some of the rusted remains of the old "Hilly".
 
Originally posted by aeronca65t:
[QB]

Hold on there! My first car (shared with my best friend, actually) was a "racing Hillman".
We got the car in '66 from a local fellow who'd given up racing (he said it couldn't keep up with the Simcas). -----

I had a Simca once and it couldn't keep up with anything. When you pushed on the gas there wasn't a sound of power. Sounded more like it was throwing up. I can't immagine anything that wouldn't keep up with that. I thought it exploded one day but then I turned around and went back and picked up the mufler.

Bob
 
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr> Aeronca65t said: We went for a hike in the woods behind my parent's house last Summer and found some of the rusted remains of the old "Hilly".
<hr></blockquote>
So is that your next project car?
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And I suppose you forgot to take your camera along... Would it be the ultimate award winning "rust in peace" car?
 
Beg your pardon, Chris. My apologies. I can see where the Minx would be a decent rally car. It was tough as nails. Several years later, I had a Sunbeam wagon (Avenger series, I guess). It was a strong runner and required very little maintenance.
 
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by chris roop:
....More like mud races without 4x4. Looked like fun!....<hr></blockquote>

You are likely talking about "Sporting Trials", a popular motorsport in the UK. It's been around since the '20s and there are many vintage trials events these days (such as The Lands End Trials). They are always run on dirt paths, meadows or beaches. A passenger is required and is often called upon to jump out and push!
Some of SCCA regions in mid-west USA run similar events called "Rallycross".

Info:

https://www.actc.org.uk/photos/photos%202002/02cotswold.htm


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