Always wanted one for a project to practice my wares on. This one is out of SoCal, I believe its whole life spent here. Super straight,very little overall rust. It sat out at a Riverside airport for sometime. I'm sure some on the site may help fill in its past, if anyone recognizes it.
these things are cool! straight axle v8 gasser style. had a buddy in the 70's that had one done small block four speed nine inch had a roll bar in it would pull the front wheels in second what a rush lol you have a fun project.. getr done!!!
That must be about the only rust-free Hillman panel van outside the UK. It should also get all the "I don't care what it is, I just want to have something that's different - not good or better, just different" guys all hot and sweaty. Enjoy.
Sorry, its a '63, my bad on the type. Amazingly, only three rust spots on the entire car. The lower fenders back corner (you can see this in one pic, and passenger side lowere, another spot. Three... Thats pretty much it. Here are some more pictures::: http://public.fotki.com/teddisnoke/hillman-heaven/
Here's the cars name: ""All Mixed Up"". Ford engine, God knows what rearend (maybe someone can cough one up that will not twist the car apart!), bowling alley seats, Chrysler springs, maybe a Dodge A-100 or Chevy van axle, and wahtever cool stuff me and the boys have laying around...
I've got to say the most fun I ever had was in a Hillman Husky. My best friends dad had a sports car center. They use the Hillman as a parts car. Just for fun they put a Lotus coventry engine in it. No s$%t this thing would go over a 100 MPH. We went all over the NW Washington hauling ass. It was a hoot. Have fun with that little car. PS We had a wash tub alway full of ice and beer in the back. very cool car
Looks like a possibility would be to install the 289 out of my 64 Comet, as it will eventually get a new mill sometime late next year. Up in the air?? Did someone say up in the air. You know, the only real reason why I build my cars that way is they are easier to lay on my back and work on...
Dale, I have a good friend in Glendora who has a Hillman sleeper just like that. Has a 289 tucked in it. Car is bitchen. Let me know if you would like to see it?
Cross Rodder, that would be great to see. I just picked up a '59 Hillman from Yucaipa, and I'm trying to decide what to do with it.
Finally, a bit of free space and time to start the marriage of the old race chassis to the Hillman body. The Hillman is quite a stout little ride. I cut the entire front suspension away, using floor jack for support, and went to lower the supports, and the front did not flex one millimeter. Astounding. Built for cobblestone streets and dirt roads.
By removing ten inches from the Datsun truck wheelbase, I now have the next altered wheelbase Hillman!!