Isuzu · 1953–1964

Isuzu Hillman Minx

The Isuzu Hillman Minx was a series of middle-sized family cars produced by Isuzu in Japan under licence from the Rootes Group, between 1953 and 1964. The models were broadly equivalent to the Hillman Minx Mark VI to Mk VIII and Series 1 to Series 3A produced at the same time in the UK, although some notable divergence occurred in the later years as production became localised in Japan.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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Isuzu’s early history

Isuzu traces its history back to the Tokyo Ishikawajima Shipbuilding & Engineering Co., Ltd. which was established in 1893. In 1918, this company entered into an agreement with the British automaker Wolseley Motor Ltd. In 1922, Tokyo Ishikawajima Shipbuilding & Engineering localized production of the Wolseley A9 - the first passenger car ever made in Japan. During the 1930s "Tokyo Automobile Industries" was formed and in 1949 the company name was changed to Isuzu Motors.

The Japanese post-war car industry

After World War 2, car companies from Western countries were anxious to sell vehicles in Japan. By April 1952 six companies – Rootes, Renault, Standard, Opel, Fiat and Chrysler - had conducted Japanese market research studies. In June 1952 the Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) issued a policy regarding the entry of foreign manufacturers. MITI stated that it would allow foreign firms to enter the market only through technical agreements with existing local "chassis makers". They also stated that smaller European cars were more suited to Japan than larger American ones. MITI also controlled the amount of foreign currency that could be spent on auto imports and said they would only allocate enough to allow 1200 cars per manufacturer (per annum). MITI released a further policy statement in October 1952 which provided: Foreign capital for sales operations was not permitted. Foreign capital for production was allowed if it contributed to local industry development. Remittance of royalties and patent fees was guaranteed. Within 5 years of a technology agreement being signed, 90% of parts were to be produced domestically. Manufacturing rights for foreign cars must be transferred to domestic companies. The importation of raw materials not produced in Japan was permitted. MITI were basically forced to develop these policies after both Rootes and Chrysler had applied to set up car manufacturing arrangements earlier in 1952. Rootes' first proposal was to set up their own CKD factory, which was opposed by MITI. Rootes then proposed an agreement with Ikegai Motors by which Rootes would import parts, Ikegai would assemble them and then Rootes would sell the vehicles. MITI rejected this too and finally Rootes entered into an agreement with Isuzu – under term

The Isuzu-Rootes technical agreement

While there were doubtless many fine details, the broad terms of the agreement were: Isuzu received the sole rights to import all types of vehicles made by Rootes. Isuzu acquired the right to build Hillman Minx cars and Commer delivery vans – beginning with CKD assembly and moving to domestic production. Isuzu would pay £25 royalties for each car (after the first 2,000). Isuzu would also pay Rootes £50,000. However, Rootes would not remit this money to Britain but use it (along with a slightly larger sum contributed by Isuzu) to establish a sales and service network in Japan. Profits from that network were also not to be remitted to Britain. After 5 years, the agreement could be terminated with 1 years notice – if not terminated it would remain in force for 25 years.

Local assembly starts – PH10 to PH12 models

On 28 October 1953 the first Isuzu built Hillman Minx rolled off the assembly line at Isuzu's new Ōmori factory. Known in Japan as the PH10 model, these were basically the normal Mk VI Hillman Minx; 1265 cc side-valve motor, column shift manual gearbox etc. They were assembled from knock-down kits. The Isuzu Hillman Minx was sold through the Japanese Yamato Motor Company from 12 November 1953. Rootes UK updated the Hillman Minx every year, usually releasing a new model late in the year. Thus the Mk VI was released in November 1953 to be sold as the 1954 model; then, the Mk VI was revised and became the Mk VII late in 1954. Isuzu followed a similar path, and the PH10 was replaced by the PH11 (Mk VII Minx) model in August 1954. The PH11 was replaced by the PH12 (Mk VIII Minx) in February 1955. Rootes introduced a new 1390 cc overhead valve motor with the Hillman Mk VIII, and this was also used in the Isuzu built PH12. The PH10 to PH12 models were very much sold as Hillmans. The contemporary marketing brochures appear to be Japanese language versions of English ones; the illustrations are of people who are clearly western rather than Japanese in appearance, and terms like ‘Gay Look’ (for two tone colour schemes) were carried over from UK marketing. From contemporary advertising brochures it seems that (at least for the PH11 and 12 models) four body styles were available: a four-door sedan, two-door convertible, the two-door Californian coupé and a two-door estate. It seems probable that only the four-door sedan was built in Japan and that the other types would have been fully imported (if any at all were actually sold).

The path to full local production

Under the terms of the technical agreement, Isuzu had to move from assembly of imported parts towards local production. At the start (October 1953) only about 6% of the car's value was Japanese - tyres, tubes and batteries were local and the cars were painted locally. By October 1954 about 18% of the car was produced locally. In 1955 MITI began to think that Isuzu was not moving quickly enough to localise production, apparently suspecting that Rootes was deliberately causing delays. This may have been unfair – Rootes were planning two major changes to the Minx (a new engine, then a completely new body) and it would have made no sense for Isuzu to tool up for local production of the old engine and body. However, MITI controlled the amount of foreign currency (needed by Isuzu to pay for the CKD parts). With Isuzu, MITI developed a schedule for moving to complete local production. By November 1955 local production had risen to 30%. In August 1956, when the engine and gearbox joined the list of parts locally produced, it had risen to 50%. During 1957 the major body components were built locally taking the percentage to 100. On 28 October 1957, four years to the day after the first Isuzu-Hillman rolled off the CKD line, the first completely Japanese made Hillman was completed.

The Audax Isuzu-Hillmans

In 1956, Rootes UK released the new Audax series Minx – a completely new body which carried over a few mechanical components, such as the OHV motor, from the previous Mk VIII. This new model was also built by Isuzu – as the PH100, released on 19 September 1956. In January 1958 Isuzu introduced a new model, the "Super Deluxe", at a higher price than the Minx. Then in March 1958 they introduced a more basic "Standard" model (designated PH50), at a lower price. The Standard model replaced the ‘mid-range’ Minx, leaving Isuzu with Standard and Super Deluxe Models. Then in August 1958 the range was face-lifted to resemble the Series 2 Hillman Minx (this model was designated the PH200. At the same time, power was increased from 46–50 bhp (34–37 kW; 47–51 PS) in the Minx and to 55 bhp (41 kW; 56 PS) in the Super Deluxe. The car was also now rated to carry six passengers instead of five. In October 1959 the Isuzu Minx was face-lifted again to resemble the UK Series 3 Hillman Minx (model designation PH300). At this same time it gained the enlarged (1494 cc) motor. There were now two versions of the engine; the Standard with 60 bhp (45 kW; 61 PS) (7.5:1 compression ratio) and the Super Deluxe (62 bhp (46 kW; 63 PS), 8.5:1 CR). They were face-lifted again in October 1960 (model PH 400) to resemble the Minx Series 3A - except that the Japanese models retained the smaller windshield from the earlier Minx. There were further minor revisions in October 1961 and October 1962. In April 1963 another minor revision was made in which power was lifted to 68 bhp (51 kW; 69 PS) (Standard) and 70 bhp (52 kW; 71 PS) (Super DeLuxe). Revisions after October 1960 were not given new model designations and continued to be called PH400. Isuzu phased out the Hillman Minx in June 1964 at which time 57,7

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Isuzu Hillman Minx

Manufacturer

Isuzu

Production

1953–1964

Assembly

Japan: Kawasaki, Kanagawa (Kawasaki Plant)

Successor

Isuzu Bellett

Body style

4 door sedan

Engine

4 cyl sidevalve 1265 cc

Transmission

4 speed column shift

Related

Hillman Minx

Top speed

103 km/h

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16254881CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isuzu_Hillman_MinxCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1356909296 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1953_Isuzu_Hillman-Minx_01.jpgCC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: Mytho88 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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