The Argus, Melbourne  15 June 1937

 

MOTORING by Accelerator

 

Hillman Hawk in "The Argus” Road Test

 

Strong, powerful, and fast the latest Hillman Hawk refutes the argument that Britain cannot make a medium-priced car suitable for work in the Dominions. Yet this Hawk possesses an elegance of line and fine imported coachwork which give it a distinction of which any owner would be proud.

 

If proof were needed, in addition to the steady rise in overseas sales, of the stamina and top-gear performance of the Hawk, it is to be found in the results of the recent Cape-Rand-Cape trial in South Africa. In this trial a Hillman Hawk was the winner in the big car class and won first prize for the best performance irrespective of class. More than 20 British, American, and German cars started, and 17 finished, after having covered a course of nearly 2,000 miles through an extra-ordinary variety of weather conditions and over all sorts of road surfaces. A Hillman Minx saloon won first prize in the light car class and was runner-up to, the Hawk in the premier award. Last year the same Minx gained the premier award and the first prize in its class.

 

Still further proof of Hillman performance is given by the repeat orders for these cars from Scotland Yard, which uses them for patrol work, and from the War Office, the Royal Air Force, and county constabulary units.

 

During a very thorough road test last week-end of a Hillman Hawk lent by the Victorian distributers, Overseas Motors Pty Ltd., of Exhibition street. I drove over the Dandenong Ranges and through a series of by-roads which had obviously not received the attention of the Country Roads Board. Pot-holes, deep ruts, cross gutters, and thick mud proved no obstacle to top-gear travel, however. Even when several extra passengers were taken onboard in a heavy shower of rain-making a total of seven adults in the car-top gear pulled us up every hill we came to and the car rode even better than before.

 

The Hawk has a low, box-section frame, which effectively withstands twisting strains, "Evenkeel" independent front suspension (employing a strong and simple transverse leaf-spring assembly with only two lubrication points), and a cleanly designed six-cylinder side-valve engine which, though rated at only 20.9 h.p., delivers a smooth and silent surge of power, giving, the impression of a much larger engine.

 

Propped up by a very comfortable seat which can be adjusted independently, the driver finds all the controls within easy reach. The gear lever - mounted centrally - operates a four-speed synchronised gearbox; the steering wheel comes nicely into the lap and is pleasantly light on the road, though in the car tested it proved a little stiff for manoeuvring at very low speeds, and the brakes of the Duo Servo Safety Bendix type are efficient.

 

Data for the Driver

 

Price, with imported de luxe coachwork and sliding roof, £468 plus tax,

Registration (V),  £8:  weight, 31cwt

Engine, 6-cyl., side-valve, rated at 20.9 h. p.

Petrol consumption, 20 to 22 m.p.g.

Speed In the gears. - First, 17 m.p.h.; second, 30 m.p.h.; third, 50 m.p.h.; top, 78 m.p.h.

Mile (flying start), av. 76 m.p.h.

Mile (standing start), av. 60 m.p.h.

Acceleration, 0 to 50 m.p.h. in 14 secs

Braking,  30 m.p.h. to rest in 22ft.

Turning circle -Right lock, 43 ft. , left lock, 29 ft.

 

In an acceleration test a speed of 50 m.p.h. was attained from rest in only 14 sec - an excellent result for a car of the size and weight of the Hawk. The mile from a flying start was covered smoothly and quietly at an average of 76 m.p.h., and the car was brought to rest in only 22ft after applying the footbrake at a speed of 30 m.p. h.

 

 Although Australians can be proud of the excellent local coachwork being produced now there is no doubt that some of the overseas builders can still teach us points in finish and design of details. The body fitted to the Hawk consists of imported components assembled locally. It is a first-class production, having a sun-shine sliding roof, arm rests, cigarette lighter, traffic direction indicators worked from the steering column, and many other thoughtful details which add to the pleasure of motoring

 

Taken all round the Hawk is a car with plenty of character and a first-rate performance With de luxe imported saloon coachwork it is priced in Melbourne at£468 plus tax and being capable of averaging from 20 to 22 miles a gallon and costing approximately £8 to register it is not an expensive car to buy or to run.