The now rare Hillman Minx Californian was conceived for the American market and was particularly significant in forming part of Britain’s export drive in the 1950s. Based on the Hillman Minx, it blended a mix of British and American styling motifs, but sales of the car in America were less than anticipated. The pillarless coupé body, with its wind-down quarter-circle rear windows and two-tone paintwork, was styled by French-American designer Raymond Loewy who had worked with US car manufacturer Studebaker from 1936.

The Californian was built in Britain with the Pressed Steel bodies first sent to Thrupp and Maberly in London for painting and trimming, then to the Rootes factory at Ryton-On-Dunsmore near Coventry for assembly. This particular car was sent to the Rootes flagship showroom Devonshire House in Piccadilly for display and is now part of the renowned “Devonshire House” group of cars.

David and Eileen Welsh acquired this car in 1999, affectionately naming it “Hyme”, and travelled many happy miles in the Californian together. In 2024, Mr Welsh donated the car to the Museum in memory of his late wife.