The Minix Range - history

A brief history * (to be expanded upon in due course)

* The following is my understanding of the production history of MINIX. If you know better or have anthing to add - please let me know!

The MINIX range was introduced in 1964 and the cars were used initially as loads for certain rolling stock (eg the R342 car carrier).

The potential of MINIX as a range in its own right was then apparently realised and they were marketed as:

"THE GREATEST little CARS IN THE WORLD"

I like to think of the production of MINIX as falling into 5 phases:

1 SILVER BASES (1964-1972)

During this period the models were made with chomed bases, bumpers and grille, and aluminium wheels. These are the "Classic" MINIX which are the most sought-after, the most loved, the most valuable and, of course, the best!

2 TRANSITIONAL PERIOD (1972-1974)

The "transition" was from a model range produced in hard plastic with chromed bases and aluminium wheels to a range with fewer models made with white bases and black wheels, produced in a softer plastic in a new range of colours.

During this period, various permutations occurred whilst stocks of components were used up. The "wheel-making" machine which had produced the aluminium wheels had broken down and economic considerations meant that the wheels were then produced in black plastic. Furthermore new bases were not chromed but produced in plain white.

During this period, therefore, cars can be found with black wheels and white base, black wheels and chrome base and in various combinations of the old hard plastic colours and the new softer plastic colors.

3 WHITE BASES (1974-1981)

The cars were produced with white bases and black (or grey) plastic wheels and it is thought that only the following models were produced:

RC1    Ford Anglia

RC2    Morris 1100

RC3    Vauxhall Viva

RC4    Triumph 2000

RC6    Ford Corsair

RC8    Hillman Minx

RC12 Austin 1800

4 BLACK BASES (1982-1990)

The cars were made with black bases and wheels, and by this time it is thought that only the Triumph 2000 was being produced.

5 GREY BASES (1990- )

The Sunbeam Alpine was resurrected for one year only in 1990 and was produced with a grey base and black wheels. It had blacked-out windows and was made in 4 colours only: red, yellow, blue and green.

The Ford Sierra - a new model! - was introduced.

NOTES:

The letters "RC" (standing for "Rovex Cars") refer to the Company's production coding system. Model no 1, the Ford Anglia, being RC1 and so on with models 2 to 17 inclusive.

Much of the above information has been gleaned from Pat Hammond's book The Story of Rovex volume 2. Well worth a read and copies are available directly from the author, who will sign it for you if you wish! In writing his book Pat was able to access factory records and Richard Lines himself to assist in providing comprehensive information.

For more info or to swap/sell MINIX, e-mail George Wells at: minixcars@yahoo.co.uk