1935 Hillman 20/70 De Luxe Saloon

For just a year from 1934, Hillman produced their Twenty-70 in tandem with its sibling, the Sixteen.  These luxurious grand saloons were Hillman’s attempt to reach out into the more prestigious car market. They succeeded the ‘Wizzard’ of the early Thirties and inherited snippets of designs details from those predecessors, as well as Humber models of the era, such as the Snipe, 12 and Pullman. The 20/70 was equipped with a fulsome 2810cc 20.9hp engine that produced ample power for the well-appointed model and body styles on offer included the saloon, together with longer wheel-based limousines and landaulettes. A small number were also passed to Thrupp & Maberly for desirable conversions. Because of the short production run, only a handful of these sought-after models are still in existence today.

First registered in Dorset on the 18th of October 1935, this 20/70 was supplied new by Hillman Distributors Merchants Garage of Dorchester, whose supplier’s plaque still remains on the dashboard eighty years later. It is likely that JT 3610 was held in stock as a demonstrator, as it was subsequently sold the following year on the 4th of July by the same garage, for the sum of £240, less an allowance of £40 for an Essex Saloon (another Dorset motor car registered as TK 3111). Since then, the Hillman has remained in Dorset for its entire life; during the Second World War, it is understood that it served as a taxi in the Piddle Valley, and road tax discs dating from 1953 to 1961 confirm that the motor car was registered as both private and Hackney. Throughout the Seventies and Eighties, the 20/70 resided in a private motor museum collection, before passing into the current family ownership for the last thirty years. The Hillman has been well maintained by its late motor engineer custodian, who carried out a sympathetic restoration. It was then enjoyed at shows, rallies and runs, as well as being called into service for the occasional wedding. The De Luxe model is equipped with the original sunroof and opening windscreen, rear blind, rear foot rests, and a cigar lighter with ashtray in the rear compartment. The original ‘mature’ interior and upholstery have been sensibly retained and adds to the sense of history pervading the vehicle.

The ample history file includes the V5C registration certificate, photographs, Hillman Owner Club and Chrysler correspondence, a photocopy handbook, wiring diagrams, and an incomplete run of tax discs from 1953 to 1992, together with an interesting 1933 Hillman booklet for their salesmen: “Data for the Salesman, Covering the 1934 Series Hillman Models”.

A rare opportunity to acquire a delightful and interesting Dorset motor car.

Auction Date: 2 June 2016