1949 Hillman Minx

This car is offered from outside of the European Union. It has been imported under temporary admission customs bond and is therefore subject to Dutch import tax (9%) on top of the winning bid price. Cars less than 30 years old will pay 10% Dutch import tax plus 21% VAT on the hammer.

The winning bidder will receive a receipt for the final hammer value, as their proof of purchase.

This vehicle has been on static display for a number of years and the documented history available is limited to that displayed in our photography section.

We have not tried to drive the car, and cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality.

It will require recommissioning prior to road use and is sold ‘as seen’.

As CARS Europe BV is the guarantor of all customs duties and taxes for vehicles within Dutch customs bond, the car cannot be released to the buyer or transporter immediately after the sale. For all enquiries relating to Customs, please contact CARS Europe BV.

Purchases will only be released once cleared funds are received. All vehicles must be collected after the payment of funds.

All storage charges must be paid in full prior to the vehicle’s collection or onward transportation. Storage charges payment must be arranged with the storage company. Collection is strictly by appointment only.

Please send a booking email to the storage centre to ensure vehicle(s) are ready at time of collection. Photographic ID will be required at time of collection. If a third party is collecting for you, then written authorisation is required in advance from you and photographic ID of the third party is required at the time of collection.

Collection either by buyer or third party is only possible for vehicles within customs bond if applicable import taxes paid are paid to import into country of bonded storage location.

As soon as The Market by Bonhams receives your payment, the accounts department will send a release note to the manager of the storage facility where your car(s) is stored.

CARS Europe BV will contact you just after the sale to confirm onward transport requirements. Direct contact at CARS for enquiries is as follows; Joanna Herlihy, +31 (0) 252 682 526, +44 7483 433912, joanna@carseurope.net.

STORAGE CHARGES - €30 + local VAT per motor car per day commencing from the sixth day following the auction end.

CUSTOMS CHARGES - €500 per motor car (plus applicable permanent import taxes from bond).

This Hillman Minx Phase II Drophead Coupé is a LHD manual model and came to us described as a 1949 car.

This date is somewhat problematic as it would make this a Phase III car (it isn’t), and it would have a chassis number that starts with 19 (it doesn’t) rather than 18 (it does).

The chassis number of this car is 18813 67 LOX.

So, consequently, we’re inclined to believe that this is a 1948 car.

The car’s odometer reads 36,765 and is calibrated in mph.

In common with many vehicles from the vendor’s collection, the car comes with no history or service records.

We understand that the car entered the vendor’s collection of static display vehicles in 2013.

With the proviso that we haven’t tried to drive this vehicle and can therefore only comment on its aesthetics, we think this Hillman Minx is in reasonable condition but is clearly in need of some attention both inside and outside.

The black paintwork is mostly good, and the bodywork is broadly free of any major crumples and creases, with panel gaps and shut lines that conform to expectations.

The hood is pretty good, too, although it’s a bit baggy at the rear and there are one or two signs of fraying at the edges.

The most obvious flaws are a shallow dent and some scuffs on the boot lid on the passenger side and a rather deeper, sharper dent below the boot lid on the driver’s side.

There is some rust and bubbling at the base of the passenger door and there is rust in evidence along the top of the sills on both sides.

There are some cracks to the paint on the boot lid and streaks from fuel spillage below the filler cap.

There are various spots of apparently superficial rust elsewhere on the car where oxidisation has occupied the space created by paint chips.

The wheels look to be in decent order.

The chrome has held up fairly well on this car, although the slats on the front grille are a little wonky and bent.

The interior has seen better days and needs some attention.

Underneath their fabric covers the front seats have several cracks, tears and holes in the leather and clearly require the services of a skilled upholsterer.

The rear bench seat has a split at the top of the back rest.

The carpets are tired, worn and rather threadbare throughout.

There are rips and scuffs on the door cards.

The simple dashboard and controls look to be in fair condition. However, as we haven’t tried to start or drive this car, we can’t vouch for the functionality of any dials, instruments, toggles, buttons, switches or knobs.

The boot looks to be OK and contains a spare wheel and some tools.

All seems to be present and correct in the rather dusty engine bay. There is some rust in evidence on the undersides, but we don’t know if this might affect the structural integrity of the vehicle.

This car doesn’t come with any history or service records.

It must be registered in the country of your choice and you will need to contact the appropriate vehicle licensing agency for instructions on how to do this.

None of the paperwork shown in the gallery in any way constitutes any kind of licensing or registration certification.

Provided, of course, that the engine, electrics and mechanicals are amenable to recommissioning, we think this charming Minx Drophead Coupé probably has enough underlying quality to make the task of restoring it to its former glory worth the time and effort required.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of €2,000 - €4,000.