Hillman was among the many British car brands that had captivated the hearts and fascination of car owners and buyers. The car brand had been among the United Kingdom's source of pride. The company and its cars might not be currently distributed in the market anymore, but for sure, its legacy would always remain and would be kept forever embossed in the global car history.
Originally, Hillman as a car company was called Hillman-Coatalen, following the namesakes of founders William Hillman, a businessman, and Breton Louis Coatalen, who was a chief engineer and car designer. Originally, the car firm was developing and making bicycles. It was in 1907 when the company ceased to manufacture two-wheeled autos and started focusing on cars.
But the concentration on car making was facilitated by the merger of the company with giant car assembly group Rootes Group. Under the wing of Rootes, Hillman-Coatalen was renamed Hillman to symbolise the renewed focus in car assembly. Hillman was based in Ryton-on-Dunsmore, in England. Different car models bearing the trade name Hillman has been rolled out and patronised in the global car market from 1907 until 1976.
There is one distinct and notable feature of the Hillman car brand. The car was huge in size. Bulkiness was the symbol of comfort and quality in the past or during the times when Hillman cars were out in the market, not unlike now when smaller and leaner cars are sold more expensively. Thus, you would notice that all the 22 car models Hillman introduced in its entire existence are all bulky.
In fact, one of the brand's biggest sellers is the large car launched in 1925. The engine was 14 hp and has a huge cylinder for greater gasoline storage capacity. Big end cars were the in thing those days, and Hillman was well known to underpin the trend. However, as years pass by towards modernisation, big end problems started being realised by car owners and users.
Until 1976, Hillman was active in creating cars. However, that year, the company had to fold up and cease operations due to plummeting sales, higher operations costs, intensifying competition and declining appreciation and patronage for large-bodied cars. When the company folded up operations, there were so many Hillman cars in use all over the world.
Now, Hillman cars will still have a function and that is as a collector's item. Car collectors and aficionados would see Hillman cars as a good collectable material. That is because despite the fact that Hillman cars would not be useful in these times anymore, they can still serve as winning pieces in museums and collections. Seeing Hillman cars is like seeing the vogue car models of the past.
The problem of big ends and huge bodies is now resolved by other car brands. But some car analysts approve Hillman's ceasing as a car maker. According to them, hugeness is Hillman's identity. If a Hillman car is not bulky, it will not be right to call the car a Hillman. Hillman cars are things of the past and collectable items for the present generation.
Original Authors: Manny
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 10/06/2008
