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Hillman Wizard 75 Hillman Twenty 70 Hillman Hawk Hillman Seven Seater Hillman 80
Hawk sports tourer body by Martin Walter manufactured 1936
Overview
Manufacturer	Hillman Motor Car Co Ltd
Production	*Wizard 65 & 75 approx 7000 *20/70: approx 4100 *7-seater: approx *Hawk: approx 5000 *80: approx 300
Model years	1931 to 1938
Body and chassis
Class	Executive car
Body style	Wizard 75, 20/70 and Hawk chassis only family saloon de luxe saloon 4-door sports saloon foursome drophead coupé 5-seater open tourer LWB 7-seater and 80 chassis only saloon limousine with division landaulette with division
Layout	FR
Powertrain
Engine	*Wizard 75, 20/70 and 7-seater 2,810 cc (171 cu in) *Hawk and 80: 3,181 cc (194.1 cu in)
Transmission	engine, single dry-plate clutch and 4-speed gearbox with central gear lever (all mounted as a unit); open propellor shaft with metal joints; half-floating spiral bevel driven rear axle with banjo case
Dimensions
Wheelbase	*Wizard 75 111 in (2,819 mm) track 56 in (1,422 mm) *20/70 108.5 in (2,756 mm) track 56 in (1,422 mm) *Hawk 108.5 in (2,756 mm) track F: 58 in (1,473 mm) R: 59.5 in (1,511 mm) *LWB Seven Seater and 80 126 in (3,200 mm) track *Seven seater 56 in (1,422 mm) *80 F: 58 in (1,473 mm) *80 R: 59.5 in (1,511 mm)
Length	*Wizard: 166 in (4,216 mm) grid up Twenty 70 176 in (4,470 mm)
Width	*Wizard: 64 in (1,626 mm)
Kerb weight	*Wizard chassis only: 19½ cwt, 2,184 lb (991 kg) *Wizard sports saloon: 30 cwt, 3,360 lb (1,520 kg) *Twenty 70 sports saloon 29½ cwt 3,304 lb (1,499 kg) *Hawk Wingham 33½ cwt 3,752 lb (1,702 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor	Hillman Vortic
Successor	Humber Snipe

The Hillman Wizard 75, Hillman Twenty 70, Hillman Hawk and their long wheelbase variants Hillman Seven Seater and Hillman 80 models were a series of 20 horsepower (RAC rating) medium priced 5-7 seater executive cars made by Hillman during the 1930s.

Built at a time when body and chassis were quite separate structures Hillman's 20 horsepower chassis was given three different body shapes in five years and a grand total of five different names if the long wheelbase cars are included. The same body shapes and chassis were used for Hillman's 16 horsepower offering though that smaller engine was not offered with their long wheelbase cars.

Towards the end of the 1930s the badges of the current models were changed by the Rootes brothers to Humber Snipe.

Hillman Twenty 70

1934 a revised body

The Wizard did not sell as well as planned and the cost of Pressed Steel's tooling has been spread across to this new model. The Twenty 70 body remains essentially the Wizard's but with new grilles, wings and rear valance.

The Twenty 70 announced in mid-September 1933 remains all-steel and now more streamlined. It has been given an outswept long-skirted tail in place of the former D-shape. There are separate chairs in front except on the Family saloon which has a three-seater single-piece bench seat at the front. Triplex safety glass is now throughout the car. There are dual screenwipers, a roof lamp, a rear blind which may be controlled from the driver's seat, locks on all doors and a driving mirror. A special design of bumpers is standard throughout the range. Deluxe saloons have a sunshine roof, ash trays, cigar lighter, a parcel net on the ceiling and pillar pulls. A luggage grid was also fitted at the back of deluxe saloons.

 

1935 Twenty 70 in Italy

The radiator grille or shell stylishly slopes back to match the new streamlined coachwork and its chromium-plated shutters are thermostatically controlled.

Electric direction indicators are fitted. Built into the body sides they are invisible unless in operation. They are controlled from the steering wheel and they are self-cancelling.

Every saloon has a wireless aerial installed in the saloon's roof. A Philco Transitone wireless set is available as an option. Hillman's small car range now included their Melody Minx.

As before as well as the saloons described above a sports saloon, a foursome drophead coupé and a five-seater (open) tourer are available Again the Seven Seater has a longer wheelbase and may be purchased as a saloon, limousine or landaulette. All three have a pair of occasional seats in the rear compartment, the limousine is an ideal mourning carriage.

While the new car's chassis is little changed from the Wizard the engine now provides Cushioned Power endowed by its new flexible mountings. The engine clutch and gearbox unit is suspended at three points on rubber. The four speed gearbox now has synchromesh between third and top and freewheel except on the cheapest "Family" model. All gears are "silent". The freewheel can be locked by a control on the facia. Startix optional engine starting is now fitted.

The Times tried driving the Seven Seater limousine, a long wheelbase version of the Twenty 70. It is mechanically identical except for the back axle which uses the lower ratio of the smaller engined sixteen. Driving was comfortable and all the controls functioned well, the steering was particularly good. The car was perfectly capable of 70 miles per hour (110 km/h) but the rear springs were too firm without a load in the car and some variable control should be provided. The car "is a remarkable job for the money".

1935

1935 models were distinguished by a radiator shell or grille painted in the body colour, the radiator filler cap moved under the bonnet and a chromium plated motif above the bonnet. A thermostatically controlled cut-out now allows the engine to fully warm before letting water circulate to the radiator.

The Times tried a 1935 model sports saloon. It described the engine as a good performer and one of the car's chief attractions. The car accomplished a good 70 miles per hour (110 km/h). The brakes need light pedal pressure. They tended to grab and affect the steering but this might have been on just this particular car. The synchromesh works well. "The outstanding characteristic in the appearance of this car is compactness". This sports saloon weighed 29½ cwt 3,304 lb (1,499 kg).

The Twenty 70 and 16 cars did not sell well in spite of the best efforts of William Rootes and his sales team. "The public still looked upon them as updated Wizards".