Hillman · 1931–1938

Hillman "Sixteen", "Hawk" and "80"

The Hillman Wizard 75, Hillman Twenty 70, Hillman Hawk and their long wheelbase variants Hillman Seven Seater and Hillman 80 models were a series of 20 horsepower (RAC rating) medium priced 5-7 seater executive cars made by Hillman during the 1930s. Built at a time when body and chassis were quite separate structures Hillman's 20 horsepower chassis was given three different body shapes in five years and a grand total of five different names if the long wheelbase cars are included. The same body shapes and chassis were used for Hillman's 16 horsepower offering though that smaller engine was not offered with their long wheelbase cars. Towards the end of the 1930s the badges of the current models were changed by the Rootes brothers to Humber Snipe.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Hillman Twenty-70 & 16 h.p. · Successor: Hillman 14

All Hillman "Sixteen", "Hawk" and "80" data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

Hillman Wizard 75

=== 1931 a completely new Hillman === "The Hillman Wizard, The car for the roads of the world" was designed by the Rootes brothers to capture new export markets and to continue their Super Snipe's challenge to "the American type of car". They were freshly in control of Humber as well as Hillman and Britain exported comparatively few cars. The chassis frame has five cross members and the frame is deep and as rigid as possible. The front axle has an H section with rectangular ends for torsional stress. Duo-Servo 4-wheel brakes are Bendix design operating, after two primary rods, by enclosed cables on 11 in (279 mm) drums. The springing is half-elliptical on both axles and they are controlled by double-acting hydraulic shock absorbers. The rear under-hung springs are 50 in (1,270 mm) long. Steering is by a worm and nut design. The cars are supplied with artillery wheels and a fixed roof, wire wheels and a sunshine roof are optional extras. Headlamps are dip-and-switch. A road test of the family saloon by The Times motoring correspondent published at the end of June 1931 noted that the seating for five passengers is comfortable and there is a wide view right round. The forward side windows can be wound right down but the large rear windows only as much as a third of the way. The opening windscreen is safety glass with one electric wiper and a reflecting mirror is provided. There are no ashtrays and there were slight squeaks in the body. A stoplight is fitted and a luggage grid. A spare artillery wheel and tyre are fitted in a well on the front wing. The always smooth and quiet engine pushed the car to a highest speed of about 65 miles per hour (105 km/h) after easily running up to 55 miles per hour (89 km/h). The brakes were very effective except when backing the car. Stee

Hillman Twenty 70

=== 1934 a revised body === The Wizard did not sell as well as planned and the cost of Pressed Steel's tooling has been spread across to this new model. The Twenty 70 body remains essentially the Wizard's but with new grilles, wings and rear valance. The Twenty 70 announced in mid-September 1933 remains all-steel and now more streamlined. It has been given an outswept long-skirted tail in place of the former D-shape. There are separate chairs in front except on the Family saloon which has a three-seater single-piece bench seat at the front. Triplex safety glass is now throughout the car. There are dual screenwipers, a roof lamp, a rear blind which may be controlled from the driver's seat, locks on all doors and a driving mirror. A special design of bumpers is standard throughout the range. De luxe saloons have a sunshine roof, ash trays, cigar lighter, a parcel net on the ceiling and pillar pulls. A luggage grid was also fitted at the back of de luxe saloons. The radiator grille or shell stylishly slopes back to match the new streamlined coachwork and its chromium-plated shutters are thermostatically controlled. Electric direction indicators are fitted. Built into the body sides they are invisible unless in operation. They are controlled from the steering wheel and they are self-cancelling. Every saloon has a wireless aerial installed in the saloon's roof. A Philco Transitone wireless set is available as an option. Hillman's small car range now included their Melody Minx. As before as well as the saloons described above a sports saloon, a foursome drophead coupé and a five-seater (open) tourer are available Again the Seven Seater has a longer wheelbase and may be purchased as a saloon, limousine or landaulette. All three have a pair of occasional seats in the rear comp

Hillman Hawk

=== 1936 a new body and bigger 20 horsepower engine === A new streamlined body was announced in October 1935 with a new name for the 20, Hawk. Chassis design was by William Haynes assisted by Alec Issigonis. The modern all-steel semi-monocoque style body was designed by Thrupp & Maberly, London coachbuilders also owned by Rootes Group. The new body houses the spare wheel in the tail. Its new lines "are planned to flow smoothly from the radiator". . . "to the trunk at the rear with the streamlined well-valanced wings merging harmoniously into the whole". As before the sloping single-piece windscreen may be opened to give better vision in fog. The new model's Superpower engine is enlarged 13 per cent achieved by lengthening its stroke by 14 mm. Although the cubic capacity rose from 2810 cc to 3181 cc this did not affect the car's tax rating because the RAC formula takes no account of an engine's stroke. The only other changes from the engine of the Twenty 70 were the introduction of replaceable hardened steel valve seats and improved steel-backed main bearings for the crankshaft. The instrument panel now has a rheostat switch to vary the lighting at will. 1937. There is no change to the cars but there are significant price reductions all round and a new Safety saloon with Triplex safety glass all round is listed in place of last season's Family saloon. The cars are heavily advertised with the statements "Tested approved and ordered by His Majesty's War Office, the Royal Air Force, the Metropolitan and Provincial Police and other great public services at home and overseas." The Times tried the 80 enclosed limousine from the driving seat and reported the engine is well balanced, smooth in operation because of its rubber mounts and lively, "quiet as well as silky". 70 miles

Production

About 700 Hillman "16"s were built between 1936-37 whereas around 5000 Hillman "Hawk"s were built during the same period and an estimated 300 Hillman "80"s were constructed between 1936-38. These models were produced as standard saloons and deluxe saloons, some of which were used by the military, police and government departments, with a small number of each model being produced as sports tourers, cabriolets and coupes, the bodywork being converted by coachbuilders Thrupp & Maberly and Wingham (Martin Walter). Survivors. Only a few examples of each model still exist in the UK today. Some of these vehicles were exported throughout the world, especially to Australia and New Zealand where a number of "Hawk"s and "80"'s also still survive.

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

Specifications

name: Hillman Wizard 75, Hillman Twenty 70, Hillman Hawk, Hillman Seven Seater, Hillman 80
Manufacturer: Hillman Motor Car Co Ltd
Production: 1931–1938
Class: Executive car
Body style: Wizard 75, 20/70 and Hawk: chassis only, family saloon, de luxe saloon, 4-door sports saloon, foursome drophead coupé, 5-seater open tourerLWB 7-seater and 80:chassis only, saloon, limousine with division, landaulette with division
Layout: FR
Engine: Wizard 75, 20/70 and 7-seater:, 2810 cc, Hawk and 80:, 3181 cc
Transmission: engine, single dry-plate clutch and 4-speed gearbox with central gear lever (all mounted as a unit); open propeller shaft with metal joints; half-floating spiral bevel driven rear axle with banjo case
Wheelbase: Wizard 75, 111 in, track 56 in, 20/70, 108.5 in, track 56 in, Hawk, 108.5 in, track, F: 58 in, R: 59.5 in, LWB Seven Seater and 80, 126 in, track, Seven seater 56 in, 80 F: 58 in, 80 R: 59.5 in
Length: Wizard: 166 in grid up, Twenty 70 176 in
Width: Wizard: 64 in
Kerb weight: Wizard chassis only: 19½ cwt, 2184 lb, Wizard sports saloon: 30 cwt, 3360 lb, Twenty 70 sports saloon 29½ cwt 3304 lb, Hawk Wingham 33½ cwt 3752 lb
Predecessor: Hillman Vortic
Successor: Humber Snipe
sp: uk