Hillman Minx Question

[Rosanne]

My daughter who is 17 and learning to drive would like a Hillman Minx or Super Minx convertible when she passes her test. I'd be grateful for any for or against feedback of this idea.
I'd be especially grateful for comments regarding insuring a 17 year old.
Does anybody know what insurance group Minxes fall into?

Many thanks
Rosanne

[SV8Predator]

I don't know if they would be in any insurance group as most on the road will be insured under a classic policy.

But you may struggle to get a classic policy for a 17 year old.

[singlecoil]

Has she actually driven one? I fear that she might find the steering a bit heavy compared to a modern car. You should also bear in mind that they weren't built with safety in mind the way modern cars are.

[mikey77]

Many decades ago my 1961 Minx 3C had such a heavy gearchange I ended up getting physiotherapy for a frozen shoulder! The post-1964 ones with all-synchro gearboxes were much lighter.

[Skyedriver]

Good on your daughter for not going with the crowd and a Minx if you can find one could be a good option but, my last experience of the Minx was back in 1970 though. Two actually. My dad had a Series 4 1725cc and it was a great car for him but rusted badly, particularly top of the front wings near to the bulkhead and sils too IIRC. Don't remember as a 17 year old the steering bein gthat heavy, there again didn't know any different. Took my test in an Avenger (one of the first on the road, but started learning with BSM in a Hillman Minx, the Arrow series that became the Hunter. Quite underrated I think looking back.
If she wants a car of that era though and finds the steering heavy. Try an HB Viva, I took my bosses car one day and thought there was something wrong, the steering was so light, as was the gear change an everything else.
to be honest though and possibly brutal, I wonder if she will be able to get insurance for the car. From what I've heard, Classic insurance is generally only for the over 21 or 25 year olds, and you need another (modern) car isured too.
But best of luck to her, I really hope she succeeds.
Oh and please don't go down the route of insuring it in your name with her as named driver (fronting) because if found out it can go very sour I believe.
Tony H
(keep on building that rocket ship)