Hillman Husky

The first (or "Mark 1") Hillman Husky, introduced in 1954, was a small estate car 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 1,390 cc (85 cu in) engine, the Husky continued to use the older 1,265 cc (77.2 cu in) 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.^{[citation needed]}

There were individual seats in front and a bench seat in the rear which would fold flat to increase the 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).^{[citation needed]}

42,000 of this Husky were sold until the model was replaced in 1958 (a year after the "parent" Minx was itself replaced).^[4]

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 (8.5 L/100 km; 27.8 mpg_‑US) was recorded. The test car cost £564 including taxes.^[3]

Hillman Husky (Minx "Audax" based)
Hillman Husky Series I
Overview
Manufacturer	Hillman (Rootes Group)
Production	1958–1965
Body and chassis
Body style	Three-door estate
Related	Hillman Minx Commer Cob
Powertrain
Engine	1,390 cc (85 cu in) straight-4
Dimensions
Wheelbase	86 in (2,184 mm)[2]49 in (1,245 mm)
Length	149.5 in (3,797 mm)
Width	60.5 in (1,537 mm)
Height	60 in (1,524 mm) [5]
Curb weight	2,072 lb (940 kg) (Ser I & III) (2,100 lb (953 kg) (Ser II)
Chronology
Predecessor	Hillman Husky (Minx based)
Successor	Hillman Husky (Imp based)

In 1958 the new "Series I" Husky was introduced. 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 but de-rated to an output of 51 hp (38 kW; 52 PS).^[5] 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.

• 
  side-opening rear door
• 
  Hillman Husky Series II
• 
  Series II rear
• 
  Series III

A "Series II" Husky followed in 1960 with a four-speed gearbox, slightly lowered roof, a deeper windscreen, and altered seats. The engine compression ratio was raised to 8:1 and the carburettor changed to a Zenith 30 VIG type.

Testing the Husky in 1960, The Motor magazine recorded a top speed of 73.4 mph (118.1 km/h), acceleration from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) of 26.9 seconds and a fuel consumption of 30.8 miles per imperial gallon (9.2 L/100 km; 25.6 mpg_‑US). The test car cost £674 including taxes.^[5]

The final iteration of the "Audax" Hillman Husky, the "Series III", made its debut in 1963, along with a facelift for the whole Minx range (and its badge-engineered derivatives). The facelift 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 1,592 cc (97.1 cu in) 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.^[4]