Hillman Hunter DeLuxe

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From 1966 to 1979, the Rootes Group (later Chrysler Europe) produced a range of cars incorporating several badge-engineered marques.

The range is sometimes referred to by the name of the most prolific model, the Hillman Hunter, although internally all cars were known as the ‘Arrow’ model at Rootes. A substantial number of separate marque and model names applied to this single car platform. Some were given different model names to justify trim differences (Hillman GT, Hillman Estate) and from time to time all models were sold in some European markets under the Sunbeam marque (Sunbeam Sceptre for instance).

The first Arrow model to be launched, the Hillman Hunter was presented in 1966 as a replacement for the Hillman Super Minx and was Rootes’ main contender in the medium family car segment. In its 13-year production run, its UK rivals included the Ford Cortina, Morris Marina and Vauxhall Victor. The Hunter was lighter than its predecessor and the wheelbase of the new car was actually 2½ inches shorter than that of the old, but the length of the cabin was nonetheless increased by moving the engine and the toe-board forwards. For the first two years there were few changes. However, in May 1968 power assisted brakes were made available as a factory fitted option.

A new 5-bearing version of the well-proven 1,725cc overhead valve petrol engine provided the power, with outputs from 66bhp to 88bhp (in the Humber Sceptre). The engine was inclined by a modest 15 degrees to allow for a lower bonnet line and to allow clearance for the carburettors. This engine was further uprated by specialists Holbay, employing two Weber 40DCOE carburettors to produce 107bhp as well as a close-ratio gearbox for the Hillman Hunter GLS.

For the first time in a Rootes car, MacPherson strut suspension featured at the front, with a conventional live axle mounted on leaf springs at the rear. The Hunter's image was boosted when a Hunter driven by Andrew Cowan won the 1968 London-Sydney Marathon rally.

Supplied new by Newcastle Motor Co of Stoke-on-Trent in August 1973, this Hunter DeLuxe 1750 had three owners before being acquired by the Stondon Collection in 1997 from a Stoke gentleman who had owned it since 1986. Supplied with all its original handbooks, an older V5 and a current V5C, it will doubtless require the usual checks before taking to the roads once more after 18 years on static display at the museum.