59 Hillman Mix Estate Wagon

[OldnEK]

This was a Little Hillman Minx I did for a friend. I started back in 2016, before I opened my shop. I finished it early last year.

1959 Hillman Minx Estate Wagon Here are some Pics of a Very Rusty 1959 Hillman Minx Wagon I'm in the process of doing now. Front Guards are fully welded on these models, and took me 1 and half days to remove from the vehicle. Not a very nice job, especially when over the years many have welded and re-welded the guards to the body, so finding factory spots welds, was like trying to find a needle in haystack. The Guards were totally shot around lower and upper rear sections and along gutter rails, Inner guard stiffener supports are also gone. They are a pain and were time consuming to make. Making a paper pattern. Marking out length datum lines so you can fit your replacement back in the right position. In position and Tigged. Welded up the 1 1/4 inch aerial hole also.

Inner guard supports, absolute pain to remove due to their position and accessibility.









Migged up, then sanded.



Ah! Pigeon Pair..





Bad pigeon pair..



Top inner guard replaced.



Inner Guard support installed.



Original Accident damage, they filled with around 3 sticks of lead.



New piece made,Tricky shape with a bit of reverse in this one.



Left side done. Fully enclosed. primed and sealed on inside, with Sika.







Now Right side.



Done....



Onto the right side sill repair.





Jacking box only being secured by 1 spot weld.



Reinforced Jacking Box supports.





Fabbed sill end closing plate.



Finished Right side sill, Migged in place. Yahoo!
Just need to dress it, until next time.

[dennis]

Hi John
You did some nice work on the minx, They are a very underrated car and very pleasant to drive.
Regards Dennis

[OldnEK]

With this Minx, Due to the way there built, I had to work from outside in to combat the rust.

[OldnEK]

The bonnet weighed a bit so I after I stripped it I found a whole heap of lead in the front of it. WOW



2.2Kgs of lead removed. I had to unpick the inner support panel to repair the massive dent.
You can see how pug nose the old smokey cover is now.
hardest part was redoing the centre swage, trying to make it straight that is.

[OldnEK]

Both left and right rear lower door skin sections made as well as inner lowers.
Drivers door skin was pretty good except for the lower rear corner.

[OldnEK]

Passenger side 3/4 skin made as well as lower inner panel, and inner hinge supports (sorry no image)


Rear lower tailgate was rusty on one side only. must of parked drivers side down all the time.

[OldnEK]

Nearly on the home run...

[OldnEK]

Had to fabricate new window channels, These were folded on the magna bender and I used Motorbike chain in the channel to bend the curves, to suit the shape of the door frames.
Instead of the factory Steel lined bailey channel rubbers I used standard rubber bailey channel, as that was all I could get for her.

[OldnEK]

The steering wheel needed some attention, badly cracked and chucks take out of it possibly from people wearing rings. To rectify and make good, I ground out all the areas that were damaged using a die grinder all the way down to the steel rim, then used Selleys Need-It (2 part Epoxy Resin), filled all the areas and sanded when cured. Re-painted it contrast to dash. Turned out pretty good IMO.


To finish the dash Off I fabricated a Radio surround panel, incorporating the factory ashtray.

[Chazza]

Nice work Reedy!

The Rootes organisation made some nice cars but I am biased as I own an Alpine,

Cheers Charlie