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.  However, for detailed discussion about those other brands, you'll possibly get more detailed help from their respective discussion groups (see below).

Here's how to subscribe to the HillmanCars group:
Subscribers receive copies of all distributed messages (as separate e-mail items), and are able to post messages for automatic distribution.  If you are content with the simplicity of this, you don't need a Yahoo id and you don't need to join a Yahoo Group.  Subscribing and joining are not the same thing.  Leave joining for later (see "Extra Features" section below), or not at all.

Send e-mail to HillmanCars-subscribe@yahoogroups.com .
Don't worry about the Subject field and message text – they're ignored.  The message server program will eventually add you (the sender's e-mail address) to its list of subscribers.
It will quickly send you a messsage titled "Please confirm your request to join HillmanCars" – you need to respond in one of the specified ways to complete the subscription.  (It really means "subscribe" – not "join").
To minimise the chances of spammers getting in, the group moderator will then evaluate your request to subscribe.  This might take several hours, so please be patient.
After approval is given, you will receive a "Welcome to HillmanCars" message, and copies of messages from other subscribers will start arriving.

When you want to post a new message:
Send e-mail to HillmanCars@yahoogroups.com .
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 subscribers are all over the world – Australia, New Zealand, the Americas, Great Britain, Asia, Scandanavia, ....

When you want to reply to someone else's message:
Simply click on "Reply to All" (if your e-mail program has that option).  At least one of the addresses in the "To" field will be "HillmanCars@yahoogroups.com" (or a pseudonym for it) – delete all of the others, because the Yahoo Groups server will send the message to them (as subscribers) anyway.
Don't fiddle with the Subject field – this is important to everybody who wants to follow this discussion as a "thread."  If your e-mail program doesn't automatically propagate the Subject field, please copy and paste it from the message you are replying to.
Be aware that some of us receive dozens of messages (from various sources) each day, so it is an absolute necessity for us to sort the inbox by Subject.  If your message is out of sequence, it's effectively wasted.
On the other hand, if your contribution 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?) .

Netiquette (network etiquette):
Please understand that when you post a message, it's like standing on a stage and speaking to a crowd of 200 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.  However, for some reason I don't understand, the Kiwis (people from New Zealand) are sensitive to Australians referring to their strange accent. (I'll probably get spammed for saying that ;-)

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 messages – other subscribers aren't able to remove you, so please don't annoy them by asking.
Send e-mail to HillmanCars-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com .
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.

If you can't get anything to work properly, and need human intervention, you can get assistance from HillmanCars-owner@yahoogroups.com . 

Extra features of the HillmanCars group :
In order to access any extra features, you will need to join the Yahoo Groups scheme.  This is in addition to subscribing to the e-mail distribution scheme as described above.
(You can subscribe as a part of this joining process, but it's more complicated to the first-timer).

Go to http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/HillmanCars and click on the button near the top right – "Join This Group."  On the next screen, go to the area "Don't have a Yahoo! ID? and click on "Sign Up.  Then fill in the data form.
Note: You can opt not to have a new e-mail address @yahoo.com created during this process of joining.  Just un-check the "Yahoo! Mail:" box if you don't want it.
After sending off the data form, you will very soon receive a fancy e-mail from Yahoo saying "Important! Click here to activate your new account."  (Yes, you must do that).  Then a browser window will open for you to "Verify Your Email Address" – click on Get Web Access, which will take you to the "Edit Membership" screen.  After clicking on "Save Changes" you will have access to all of the extra features, four of which are likely to be useful –

1. "Edit Membership" (in small letters, near the top) –  has special e-mail options, e.g. to receive a daily Digest instead.
2. "Messages" (in the left column) –  gives an index to individual messages in the archive.
   From there, "Expand Messages" gives the full text of every message within that page.
   If you find the adverts to be overly aggressive, I recommend the following technique:
   a. Use Netscape instead of Microsoft Internet Explorer.
   b. Disable images (Netscape v7:  Edit –> Preferences –> Privacy & Security –> Images).
       Netscape v8 is more complicated and unreliable in this area.
   c. Disable Macromedia Flash Player by referring to this Macromedia web page and following the instructions to "manually uninstall" (halfway down the page).  Instead of deleting the specified files, rename them by inserting "$" at the front of the name (so you can put things back together if desired).
3. "Photos" (in the left column).  This doesn't work unless your browser is set to accept images.
   You are doomed to receiving all of the pesky advert images except the Flash ones.
4. "Leave Group" –  to cleanup the special settings established when you Joined this group.

Now that you've Joined the Yahoo Groups scheme, you can at any time come back via the home page
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/HillmanCars.

Background to the HillmanCars group :
The group 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 hosted & sponsored by Gary Moore since 1997.

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.

We sincerely thank Gary Moore for his enormous and generous contribution to the community of Hillman car fans.
Click here for a brief history of the original Hillman List.

Other discussion groups, lists & fora :

Most Hillman Imps discussion occurs at The Imp Club forum –
      www.theimpclub.co.uk/index.php?page=2

A once very active Imps discussion group, now largely faded away –
      groups.yahoo.com/group/Imps/
For subscribers to the above Imps group, they have a separate off-topic discussion group –
      groups.yahoo.com/group/Imps-OT/

A Hillman Imp discussion group, where the activity level is extremely low –
      groups.yahoo.com/group/hillman_imps/

The Hillman Hunters discussion group –
      au.groups.yahoo.com/group/Hillmanhunters/

The myHillman.com forum (very inactive), members' photos (several), links (very few) –
      http://myhillman.com/

The post-war Hillmans, Singers, Sunbeams & Humbers discussion group –
      groups.yahoo.com/group/hillman-sunbeam-singers/

The Hillman/Chrysler Avengers or Chrysler/Talbot Sunbeams discussion group –
      autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/asoc1/

Discussion group in lieu of a club, for Rootes vehicle owners in Canberra, Australia –
      autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/RootesCanberra/

The Rootes, Simca, Matra, Chrysler & Talbot discussion group –
      groups.yahoo.com/group/rootes-chrysler/

The Commer Vehicles discussion group –
      groups.yahoo.com/group/commer-vehicles/

Mailing list for the preservation and enjoyment of Sunbeam Talbot and Mk Alpines
      sunbeamtalbot.info/mailman/listinfo/staowners_sunbeamtalbot.info

The main Sunbeam Alpine forum –
      www.saoca.org/sforum

The Sunbeam Sports Cars discussion group seems to be hibernating –
      groups.yahoo.com/group/SunbeamSportsCars

The Tigers East/Alpines East forum –
      www.teae.org/forum

A Sunbeam Tiger discussion group with very little discussion –
      groups.yahoo.com/group/Sunbeam_Tiger

The Texas Tigers discussion group has very little discussion –
      groups.yahoo.com/group/TexasTigers

The Texas Sunbeams discussion group fails to register a pulse –
      groups.yahoo.com/group/Texas_Sunbeams

The Sunbeam Owners of Central Ohio discussion group is about as quiet as a mouse –
      groups.yahoo.com/group/Ohio_Sunbeams

The British cars discussion list –
      www.team.net/tn-mail.html
Not mentioned on that webpage, but also available at majordomo@autox.team.net are the lists named alpines and tigers.  If you want them in digest format (one consolidated e-mail every day), use the lists named alpines-digest and tigers-digest instead.

The Humber discussion list –
      www.smartgroups.com/groups/Humber

The Humber Cars discussion group intended to replace the above list –
      autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/humbercars

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 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 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.  The various oil companies mix their preferred substitute for tetra-ethyl lead with ULP.  Some car owners have experienced overheating, even to the point of serious engine damage.  A popular alternative is 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.  Refer to http://www.carcarecouncil.org/Engine/crankcase_vent.shtml
	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 our Ken Kite's excellent Mk VIII Hillman ute.
	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 subscriber).
	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.stateofmindgames.co.uk/rob/netstuff/abbrev.html http://www.webenet.com/internetglossary.htm 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.   You will find www.howstuffworks.com to be very educational. "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 list subscribers occasionally mention particular company names. You might find those suppliers in the Parts section of our links page.