Hillmans Are Forever

One of the things that I love to see is a nice happy story about cars in the papers.  Too often you get some sulky journalist whinging about how vehicles are killing they environment, killing children or just generally being the scourge of the Earth.  However, these same people probably climb into their 20MPG Aston Martin at the end of each day.  It is, therefore, a pleasure to read a good ‘happy’ story about motors.

Bill Silver was in The Daily Mirror a few days ago due to him having a motor that’s been around some time.  When I say some time, I mean a REALLY long time.  His Hillman 14 is a bit special.  Not only is it really old (made in 1939), it has managed 240,000 miles in Bill’s 45 years of ownership.  This is, as the paper has pointed out, enough to get Mr Silver all the way to the moon (though not back).

Perhaps the greatest achievement of this wonderful mechanical creation is the fact that it has been utterly, utterly reliable.  This Hillman 14 has managed to be a trouble-free motor; never braking down and passing MOT’s (including its’ latest one) with flying colours.  A classic in two senses of the word then.

Unfortunately, Bill has had to sell the car due to ill health.  He’s not asking much either mind, only a mere £1,800 at auction.  Given the car has some wonderful history and an impeccable record for not braking down; I’d quite like to be in the queue for this one.  However, you might want to change the interior – it has something akin to what I’d describe ‘dogs bed pattern’.

What does this story tell us though?  Well, aside from cars being made just prior to the war being invincible, it poses some interesting questions.  If I buy a car today, it theoretically should last for 240,000.  However, this is only what ‘some’ engines are capable of.  Is this the truth though, or simply that people get rid of cars too early?

I have a sneaking suspicion that Bill isn’t quite telling the whole story.  You see, Bill looks like he knows his stuff in the picture.  I think that although modern motors are far more complicated, they don’t get looked after.  Mr Silvers, I’d wager, is a man who would know exactly how to change a tyre, as well as check oil levels, know what knocking sounds like etc etc.  Basically, all of the things that the modern driver apparently has great difficulty with.

Whatever your car is, I dare you to try to make it a success story (rather than changing it every few years).  Take Bill’s example here and look after your motor.  Clean it, care for it and check your fluid levels.  Get to understand the basics.  Follow the instructions to change your tyre, so if you ever have to do it for real you’ll know what exactly you have to do and in which order.  Perhaps then you’ll have a motor to be proud of too.

The Hillman 14 is a medium sized car that was produced back in 1925 by the Hillman Motor Car Co Ltd.  It has a large stroke monobloc side valve 1954cc four cylinder engine.  It has a four speed gearbox and drum brakes.  Top speed is 55MPH flat out and it can manage around 25MPG – not bad for a car that’s as old as your granny.