With its blend of British and American styling motifs and two-tone colour combinations, the Minx Californian was a breath of fresh air after the austerity of the Second World War.

This now rare car was conceived for the American market. It was particularly significant in forming part of Britain’s export drive in the 1950s, but sales were less than anticipated - Americans really wanted British sports cars - they already had plenty of choice of cars like the Californian from home manufacturers.

The pillarless coupé body, with its wind-down quarter-circle rear windows and two-tone paintwork, was styled by French-American designer Raymond Loewy who had worked with US car manufacturer Studebaker from 1936. The Californian was built in Britain with the Pressed Steel bodies first sent to Thrupp and Maberly in London for painting and trimming, then to the Rootes factory at Ryton-On-Dunsmore near Coventry for assembly.

David and Eileen Welsh acquired this car in 1999, affectionately naming it “Hyme”, and travelled many happy miles in the Minx Californian together. In 2024, Mr Welsh donated the car to the Museum in memory of his late wife.