Hillman
Founded in 1906 by William Hillman at Coventry. Originally Louis Coatalen was a partner but sold out to Hillman in 1909.
There were several conventional models in the 9 to 12 hp range which rubbed shoulders with some very large six cylinder cars which were occasionally produced.
By 1925 the company was struggling in post First World War Britain and was acquired by Rootes. Soon common designs involving Humber and Sunbeam-Talbot appeared, and by 1930 the Hillman Wizard was in production. The Motor Show of 1931 saw the introduction of the Minx which through its various marks continued until the end of Hillman.
There was limited production during the war under the control of the Ministry of Supply. Like their Humber cousins Hillman helped the war effort with its own scout car called the "Gnat".
The sixties saw the introduction of the Hillman Imp, built in a new purpose built factory at Linwood, near Glasgow. The concept was as a rival to the Mini built by Austin-Morris, and these were fairly successful having a production total of around the half million mark.
Commercial production was limited to vans, perhaps the most successful being the Husky estate car which was bought in fairly large numbers by the British Army.
