New Zealand Classic Car – September 2019

I was first produced in 1956, and the
regular Minx was discontinued after the
Series VI in 1965. Both the Singer Gazelles
and Sunbeam Rapiers were variants of this
Minx design.
Grunt — if that’s not too strong a word
— was supplied by a smooth four-cylinder
engine that grew from 1.4 litres to 1.8
during the Minx’s lifetime. The Super
Minx was originally designed to replace
the regular Minx, but its bigger body put
it in a different category so it was built
alongside the regular Minx; it was also
badged as the Humber 90 and the Singer
Vogue. This was by far the most popular
of the Minx family, with many cropping
up all over the country.
The Singer Vogue is much rarer, so if
you can get your hands on one for a good
price, then do it. However, the biggest
challenge is finding one for sale locally.
A few years back, Minxes, Super Minxes,
and Hillman Hunters were virtually
being given away. Looking through the
classifieds today, you will seldom find
anything under $5000 unless you are
prepared for a challenging project.
Keep an eye out for rusty A-pillars and
front wings, as they can be expensive to
replace. However, if you play your cards
right and get the advice of any Rootes
fanatic, you could have a well-sorted,
simple, and comfortable humble classic
that will put a smile on a lot of faces —
and, if the market is anything to go by, will
make you money in the near future.
One car I have always had a soft spot for
is that glorious rear-engine peppy oddity,

the Hillman Imp. Launched in 1963

amidst a tidal wave of publicity, it was the

Rootes Group’s answer to the original giant

killer, BMC’s Mini.

Todd Motors, which had the rights to

import and build Rootes cars, saw many

Imps turning a wheel for the first time in

Aotearoa. Designed by Michael Parks —

who would go on to race in Formula One

and sports car events — the Imp stayed

in production till 1976, during which

time the Rootes Group was taken over

by Chrysler. Chrysler’s involvement with

Rootes lasted until 1978.

With a snip under half a million built,

the Imp was produced under a number

of guises, including the Sunbeam Imp,

which is easily the most sought-after.

One Sunbeam recently went up for sale at

Turners Classic Auction in Christchurch,

with a starting bid of $10,000. This was

a very tidy, lightly modified example.

However, the average price for a run of the

mill Imp is around $6000 — providing

you can find a good one.

With its racing pedigree, that 875cc

or 998cc aluminium Coventry Climax

four-pot burbling behind you, and that

feeling of being a little bit different, the

Imp is still a proper giggle factory, and it’s

worth getting one now before they become

unattainable.

As the ’70s dawned, the Rootes Group

was approaching its twilight years under the

stern control of Chrysler Europe, and one

car that epitomized this was the Hillman/

Chrysler Avenger. As Rootes’ answer to the

Vauxhall Viva, and an intended replacement

for the Minx, it also took cues from Ford’s

mightily successful Cortina.

Avengers were popular on our roads,

so are another contender for a classic

makeover today. One only needs to see

Craig Pidgeon helming his race-prepared

Avenger around Ruapuna to this day to

realize that there was more to them than

you might think. Available as a four-door

1967 Sunbeam Alpine Series V Sports sedan, five-door wagon, and even a two-

1952 Sunbeam Talbot

1968 Commer FC

Fetch a quote now:

starinsure.co.nz

Call us:

0800 250 600