HILLMAN CAR CLUB
OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC

Evan & Brian's
HillmanCars Email Discussion Group
(not a HCCSA function)
HILLMAN CAR CLUB
OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC



Want to chat with Hillman car fans all over the world?  Then subscribe to the HillmanCars discussion group.
Enjoy a bit of good-natured humour occasionally? (click here for a sample )  Then subscribe to the HillmanCars discussion group.
Improved your Hillman?  Then subscribe to the HillmanCars discussion group and tell us about it.
Want disc brakes on your Minx Series IIIB?  Yes, the front end of a Minx series V can be fitted, but there are some things to beware of.  Subscribe to the HillmanCars discussion group and ask about it.
Got stuck while reassembling your Hillman, and need experienced advice?  Collectively, the guys in the HillmanCars discussion group have done everything you can do to a car.

Quite often, parts from "cousin" cars within the Rootes Group (Sunbeams, Singers etc.) will fit your Hillman.  The chances are that somebody else has already tried what you're thinking of doing.  Therefore, we don't mind a bit of discussion about those brands (or anything else which happens to fit).  We also enjoy a comparative view of what the Rootes engineers made a bit different all those years ago.

Here's how to subscribe to the HillmanCars group:
Go to the HillmanCars group homepage and click on the "Apply For Membership In This Group" button.  It's a moderated process, so you might need to wait a few hours for approval.
Similarly, posting your first message is moderated.  That's how we weed spammers out of the process.

When you want to post a new message:
Members can send e-mail to HillmanCars@groups.io .
Choose the Subject field thoughtfully.  Don't leave it blank.
In the body of your message, don't forget to mention where you live – especially if you are requesting parts etc.  Be aware that your fellow members are all over the world – Australia, New Zealand, the Americas, Great Britain, Asia, Scandanavia, ....
When replying to a message, this address will be inserted automatically by your email client or app.  Don't fiddle with the Subject field – this is important to everybody who wants to follow this discussion as a "thread."
On the other hand, if your reply is a significant diversion from the original topic, please choose a new Subject field thoughtfully – e.g. Re: More Pertronix (was: Re: "Hillman - " Anyone out there?).
There's a message archive which goes back to late December 2019.  Before the former Yahoo Groups facility (see below) was withdrawn at that time, its message archive spanning back to November 2004 was saved into a single flat file.  Allegedly, there's a hugely tedious process capable of uploading the messages into the current group – the task is a long way down the "to do" list.

Extra features of the group website:
From the left column of the homepage, members can store & retrieve items such as files, photos & databases.  Our group is on the free Basic plan, so the aggregate of our storage use must fit within the 1 GB limit.  Therefore, all photos (including email attachments) will be size-resticted before being stored.

Netiquette (network etiquette):
Please understand that when you post a message, it's like standing on a stage and speaking to a crowd of people.  Here's a website with the rules of Netiquette.  These core rules of decency are generally accepted by the vast majority of internet users worldwide.
After you get to know a few of the prominent contributors, you'll understand that we're a good-natured bunch of people who don't mind stirring each other up a bit – especially friends Evan & Doug in the USA.

To suspend receiving messages or change to a different delivery format:
Go to the HillmanCars group homepage and click on "Subscription" in the left column.  For short term absences, this is simpler than Unsubscribing, re-Subscribing, and waiting for the usual approval processes.

When you want to leave the group, here's how to unsubscribe:
It's your job to unsubscribe from the HillmanCars discussion group when you no longer want to be involved – other members aren't able to remove you, so please don't annoy them by asking.
Go to the HillmanCars group homepage, click on your name in the top right corner, click on "Account" in the drop-down list, and click on the "Delete My Account" in the bottom right corner of the next screen.
Alternatively, send e-mail to HillmanCars+unsubscribe@groups.io .
Don't worry about the Subject field and message text – they're ignored.  The message server program will remove you (the sender's e-mail address) from its list of subscribers.
As a last resort, if you can't get anything to work properly and need human intervention, you can get assistance from the group owners


Background to the HillmanCars group :
The current group was created by Brian Vogt in December 2019 to replace a similar group at Yahoo Groups (a facility that was about to be withdrawn by Yahoo).  It is currently administered by Brian & Evan.
The HillmanCars group at Yahoo Groups was created by Evan Hillman in April 2000, primarily for the purpose of gaining attention to refer people to the already-successful  hillman@can-inc.com  discussion list established by Craig Burlingame late in 1995 and hosted free of charge by Gary Moore from 1997 to 2004.
During the first week of November 2004, the can-inc.com server ceased responding to any requests, so it was decided by the leading participants (including Evan) to encourage all known subscribers to transfer to the HillmanCars group at Yahoo Groups.  We sincerely thank Gary Moore for his generous contribution to the community of Hillman car fans during those early 7 years.
Click here for a brief history of the original Hillman List.


Abbreviations and technical terms

Common abbreviations :
ADL – Australian De Luxe (Australian edition of Hillman Minx series IIIC).
For a fine example, see Brian Vogt's former car.
Alger – (Sunbeam) Alpine modified to look like the highly sought-after Tiger, and fraudulently sold as such.
CKD – "Completely Knocked Down" – disassembled car kits, assembled in their destination country.
Under govt. policy, this local component of manufacture served to reduce the import duty.
DPO – Dumb Previous Owner / Dreaded Previous Owner.  This is the idiot who made your car a restorer's nightmare by fitting Whitworth nuts on SAE studs, and by welding on parts that need to be removed for routine maintenance.
HSC – "Husky Sports Convertible."  Light-hearted reference to the Sunbeam Alpine (a sports convertible) whose original floorpan design was derived directly from that of the Hillman Husky.
LBC – Little British Car, such as the Hillman Minx or Hillman Imp.
LRP – Lead Replacement Petrol.  When the sale of leaded petrol was withdrawn in the early 2000s, the various oil companies mixed their preferred substitute for tetra-ethyl lead with ULP.  Some car owners experienced overheating, even to the point of serious engine damage.  A popular alternative was to simply fill up with ULP (or premium unleaded) and add a lead substitute concentrate or
Morey's Upper Cylinder Lubricant.
NOS – New Old Stock (old spare parts which have never been used).
PCV – Positive Crankcase Ventilation
ULP – Unleaded Petrol.  Since 1985, all motor vehicles sold new in Australia are legally required to run correctly without the use of tetra-ethyl lead.
Ute  – Australian term – abbreviation for Utility, a type of vehicle invented in 1933 by "Lew" (Lewis) Bandt who was the designer at Ford Australia.  In 1935 Henry Ford invited him to Detroit, where Lew designed a "pickup truck" for the USA market (especially Texas).  Here are pictures of a Mk VIII Hillman ute previously in our club.
VSR – Valve Seat Recession.  Refer to www.faqs.org/faqs/autos/gasoline-faq/part4/preamble.html

Off-topic abbreviations :
MPV – Multi Purpose Vehicle – "anything large and shed-like" (according to one member).
SHO – Super High Output (engine).
SUV – Sport Utility Vehicle (an American term for a 4WD wagon, nothing to do with sports cars or utes).
SWMBO – She Who Must Be Obeyed – (wife or equivalent person with whom you negotiate the acquisition of more Hillman cars or use of the lounge room for an engine overhaul).

General internet abbreviations :
http://www.loganact.com/tips/afaik.html

Technical terms :
Sometimes you will see automotive engineering terms used.  For example, Hillman cars have what's called recirculating-ball steering.

"Prince of Darkness" – modern description of Joseph Lucas, due to the ineffectiveness of 1930s Lucas lighting systems, and the (alleged) poor performance of 1960s Lucas electrics in general.   Some loyalists claim that this is unfair criticism, as all 1960s electrical systems were suspect.
Click here to see the Prince of Darkness jokes.

Parts suppliers :
Some group members occasionally mention particular company names.
You might find those suppliers in the Parts section of our links page.


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