Shawnw
Well-Known Member
So its been a while since I've had a new old car to play with and I was growing kind of restless.
When my Accent got hit on the highway and looked as it was going to be totalled I started searching the classifieds with renewed vigor. It turns out that ICBC decided to fix the Accent, so I didn't have as much money to play with.
I looked at a number of Volvo 240s, Lada Nivas and a few other oddballs, but nothing really seemed to strike the right chord. Either too much money for what I'd get in return, or stupid issues that I'd rather not deal with.
I broadened my search into proper project car territory, figuring if I'm going to be putting all sorts of effort into a car, it might as well be a little more unique.
Then, long story short I saw the ad for this car, drove the 250km down to look at it, said "why not?" and signed the papers.
Heres what I ended up with.
1961 Hillman Minx
1.5L engine
Manual transmission
Front disc brake conversion
Rear wheel drive, solid axle with leaf springs
Very poor paint and some rust.
Its not much to look at, but come March I'm going back to school for Autobody/Paint and plan on making it my school project, and eventually a well documented "rolling resume" when job searching.
It runs, drives, brakes and shifts. Mechanically it needs TLC and some new bushings in the steering.
As of right now it will be staying at the previous owners property until november when I'm moving to the mainland. At that point I'll bring the car over and keep it at a friends until I can give it a quick clean up and spray so that it will be more presentable (read: less likely to be pulled over)
At that point I plan on using it for puttering around town until school starts and I can properly pull it apart and refurbish it.
I didn't take a proof pic but heres a picture from inside the Dakota about to climb the Hillman owners driveway. The driveway was 500' long, just wide enough for the tires of the truck, had a switchback and was about 15% grade.
When my Accent got hit on the highway and looked as it was going to be totalled I started searching the classifieds with renewed vigor. It turns out that ICBC decided to fix the Accent, so I didn't have as much money to play with.
I looked at a number of Volvo 240s, Lada Nivas and a few other oddballs, but nothing really seemed to strike the right chord. Either too much money for what I'd get in return, or stupid issues that I'd rather not deal with.
I broadened my search into proper project car territory, figuring if I'm going to be putting all sorts of effort into a car, it might as well be a little more unique.
Then, long story short I saw the ad for this car, drove the 250km down to look at it, said "why not?" and signed the papers.
Heres what I ended up with.
1961 Hillman Minx
1.5L engine
Manual transmission
Front disc brake conversion
Rear wheel drive, solid axle with leaf springs
Very poor paint and some rust.
Its not much to look at, but come March I'm going back to school for Autobody/Paint and plan on making it my school project, and eventually a well documented "rolling resume" when job searching.
It runs, drives, brakes and shifts. Mechanically it needs TLC and some new bushings in the steering.
As of right now it will be staying at the previous owners property until november when I'm moving to the mainland. At that point I'll bring the car over and keep it at a friends until I can give it a quick clean up and spray so that it will be more presentable (read: less likely to be pulled over)
At that point I plan on using it for puttering around town until school starts and I can properly pull it apart and refurbish it.
I didn't take a proof pic but heres a picture from inside the Dakota about to climb the Hillman owners driveway. The driveway was 500' long, just wide enough for the tires of the truck, had a switchback and was about 15% grade.
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