These two models drew on some of the features and engine designs of the luxury Humber cars, including the Humber 12, 16/50, Snipe and Pullman, that were also being built under Rootes brothers control.

This was an attempt by Hillman Ltd to enter the low end of the executive car market[5] The Hillman 16 had a 2110 cc 15.90 hp side valve straight-six engine whilst the matching 20/70 had larger 2810 cc 20.9 hp engines.

All these vehicles had Bendix "Duo Servo" brakes, which used rod and cable linkages and operated on all four wheels via both the foot pedal and the handbrake lever.

A new streamlined body was announced in October 1935[1] and the engine was enlarged 22 per cent by lengthening its stroke by 14 mm.

Some of these vehicles were exported throughout the world, including Argentina, Australia, Greece and New Zealand where a number of "20/70"'s also still survive.