Hillman Husky
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hillman Husky can refer to several different vehicles produced by British car manufacturer, the Rootes group, under their Hillman marque.
Contents |
[edit] Original Hillman Husky ("Mark 1")
| Hillman Husky (Minx based) | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Manufacturer | Rootes Group |
| Production | 1954-1957 |
| Successor | Hillman Husky (Audax based) |
| Body style(s) | three door estate |
| Engine(s) | 1265 cc straight-4 |
| Wheelbase | 84 in (2134 mm) [1] |
| Length | 148 in (3759 mm) [2] |
| Width | 63.25 in (1607 mm) [2] |
| Height | 61 in (1549 mm) [2] |
| Curb weight | 1904 lb (864 kg) |
| Related | Hillman Minx |
The first (or "Mark 1") Hillman Husky, introduced in 1954, was a small estate based on the contemporary "Mark VIII" Hillman Minx. The two-door Husky entered the range alongside an existing Minx estate car, which had a 9-inch (230 mm) longer wheelbase. The Husky was not a hatchback, having instead a single side-hinged rear door. While the new Mark VIII Minx DeLuxe saloon, convertible and "Californian" hardtop used a new OHV 1390 cc engine, the Husky continued to use the older 1265 cc 35 bhp (26 kW) sidevalve engine with single Zenith carburettor which it shared with the Minx "Special" saloon and estate. Unlike the Minx with its column change, the gear lever for the Husky was floor mounted.
There were individual seats in front and a bench seat in the rear which would fold flat to increase load area. The trim material was leathercloth. Both the heater and radio were optional extras. The car was available in blue, grey, green or sand paint (1954 colours).
The Husky was badge engineered and slightly modified to form the Commer Cob – basically the same vehicle but with the rear side windows removed to create a panel van.
42,000 of this Husky were sold until the model was replaced in 1958 (a year after the "parent" Minx was itself replaced).
159,960 produced.[3]
The Motor magazine tested a Husky in 1954 and found it to have a top speed of 65 mph (105 km/h) and acceleration from 0-50 mph (80 km/h) in 24.3 seconds. A fuel consumption of 33.4 miles per imperial gallon (8.46 L/100 km/27.8 mpg US) was recorded. The test car cost £564 including taxes. [2]
[edit] "Audax Series" Hillman Husky
| Hillman Husky (Minx "Audax" based) | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Rootes Group |
| Production | 1958-1965 |
| Predecessor | Hillman Husky (Minx based) |
| Successor | Hillman Husky (Imp based) |
| Body style(s) | three door estate |
| Engine(s) | 1390 cc straight-4 |
| Wheelbase | 86 in (2184 mm) [1] |
| Length | 149.5 in (3797 mm) |
| Width | 60.5 in (1537 mm) |
| Curb weight | 2072 lb (940 kg) (Ser I & III) (2100 lb (953 kg) (Ser II) |
| Related | Hillman Minx |
[edit] Series I
In 1958 the new "Series I" Husky appeared. It followed the same formula as its predecessor, but was based on the new "Audax" or "Series" Hillman Minx. This time the engine was the new Minx’s 1390 cc overhead valve unit. As before, there was also a four-door "Minx estate", and the Husky had two doors (plus the side-hinged rear door) and a shorter wheelbase (by 8 inches (200 mm)). It was, however 2 inches (51 mm) longer than its predecessor.
Again Commer sold a panel van version of the same vehicle as the Commer Cob.
[edit] Series II
A "Series II" Husky followed in 1960 with a slightly lowered roof, a deeper windscreen, and altered seats.
[edit] Series III
The final iteration of the "Audax" Hillman Husky, the "Series III", made its debut in 1963, along with a face-lift for the whole Minx range (and its badge-engineered derivatives). The face-lift bodywork changes were applied to the Husky, but the reduction in wheel size from 15-inch (380 mm) to 13-inch (330 mm), which was applied to the saloons, was not applied to the Husky in order to maintain its ground clearance. In addition, whilst the contemporary Series V Minx got front disc brakes, the Husky continued with four-wheel drum brakes. While the 1390 cc engine continued to be used in most markets, for the USA the Husky adopted the the 1592 cc engine used in the contemporary Minx Series V.
From 1964 the Husky gained an all-synchromesh gearbox and changes to the clutch and suspension. Production of the Series III ended in 1965.
[edit] Hillman Imp van derivative
| Hillman Husky (Imp based) | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Rootes Group |
| Production | 1967-1970 |
| Predecessor | Hillman Husky |
| Body style(s) | three door estate |
| Engine(s) | 875 cc straight-4 |
| Wheelbase | 82 in (2083 mm) [1] |
| Length | 141 in (3581 mm) |
| Width | 60.25 in (1530 mm) |
| Curb weight | 1652 lb (749 kg) |
| Related | Hillman Imp |
No further Huskies were made until a new model based on the Hillman Imp appeared in 1967. This new Husky shared the Imp's rear-mounted 875 cc overhead camshaft engine, and had slightly better performance than the Imp.[4] This was also the engine adopted by the Bond 875.
Like the earlier van version, the "imp estate" was based on the two-door car, with the roof raised by 4 inches (100 mm) to provide a large carrying space above the engine bay, giving the car a square boxy look. Loading access was by a vertical top-hinged rear tailgate with the bottom of the opening level with the floor, making it easy to load without stooping down. Sliding windows gave ventilation and a view out from the rear bench seat. The top part of the back seat squab folded forward forming a useful horizontal loading platform with a ribbed rubber surface, and 50 cubic feet (1.4 m³) of capacity. To take the increased load, this was the first Hillman derivative to have radial-ply tyres. It also had uprated rear shock absorbers and rear springs were fitted along with a strengthened rear suspension. These gave the Husky more sporty handling that the standard Imp, and looked surprising when this tall vehicle went quickly round a corner with very little roll.[5]
Once more Commer sold a commercial version of the same car, the van version which was launched in 1965[6] and had the engine in low-compression form.[5]
The last Husky was built in 1970, at which point Chrysler Europe, new owners of Rootes, engaged in a major rationalisation of their products.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Culshaw; Horrobin (1974). Complete Catalogue of British Cars. London: Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-16689-2.
- ^ a b c d "The Hillman Husky" (December 29 1954). The Motor.
- ^ Robson, G. (2006). A-Z of British Cars 1945-1980. Devon, UK: Herridge Books. ISBN 1-9541063-9-3.
- ^ Hillman Husky, Autocar 1967 - The Imp Site
- ^ a b Hillman Husky 1967-'70 - The Imp Site
- ^ Development of the Hillman Imp cars
