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Hillman Hunter

From Alfawiki
Rootes Arrow
Company typeAutomotive platform
IndustryAutomotive
PredecessorHillman Super Minx (for Hillman Hunter)
Founded1966
Defunct1979 (Europe), 2005 (Iran)
FateProduction ended; Rootes Group acquired by Chrysler Europe in 1967
Area served
Europe, Iran, South Africa, New Zealand
ProductsHillman Hunter, Hillman Minx, Hillman GT, Hillman Estate Car, Hillman Vogue, Sunbeam Alpine, Sunbeam Rapier, Sunbeam Sceptre, Humber Sceptre, Singer Gazelle, Singer Vogue, Dodge Husky, Chrysler Hunter, Chrysler Vogue, Iran National Paykan

Rootes Arrow was the designation used by the manufacturer for a series of vehicles produced under various badge-engineered marques by the Rootes Group (which later became Chrysler Europe) from 1966 until 1979 across Europe, with production continuing in Iran until 2005. This lineup is notable as one of the final Rootes designs developed independently of Chrysler's influence. The collection is most frequently identified by its most common variant, the Hillman Hunter.

A single platform supported many marques and model names. Some indicated different trim variants (such as Hillman GT and Hillman Estate Car), while others were marketed under alternative marques depending on the region, including Sunbeam (e.g., Sunbeam Sceptre) and Singer (Gazelle and Vogue), with Singer briefly replaced by Sunbeam after its discontinuation.

The models offered—though not all concurrently—included:

During its 13-year production span, the Hillman Hunter served as Rootes' main contender in the small family car category, competing against rivals such as the Ford Cortina, Vauxhall Victor, Austin/Morris 1800, and Morris Marina. The sportier Sunbeam Rapier was positioned against models like the Ford Capri, MGB GT, and Vauxhall Firenza, while the more luxurious Humber Sceptre targeted premium buyers competing with vehicles such as the Vanden Plas 1300, Austin Allegro 1500, Wolseley 18/85, and Ford Cortina 1600E/2000E.

The Arrow lineup encompassed several body styles: saloon, estate, fastback coupé, and two distinct coupe utility (pickup) variants—the South African Dodge Husky and Iranian Paykan Pick-Up—each featuring unique body designs. Depending on the specific model, configurations included both two- and four-door options. Coupés were exclusively marketed under the Sunbeam badge.

Development

The Arrow project originated in 1962. Following the Hillman Imp—a smaller rear-engined vehicle—the decision was made to abandon a larger rear-engine design in favor of a more traditional layout akin to that of the existing Audax range.

Facing financial constraints and ongoing engine cooling problems with the Imp, Rootes opted for a conservative engineering approach. The Arrow utilized a newly developed robust five-bearing version of the established 1725 cc overhead valve petrol engine, delivering power outputs up to , notably reaching 88bhp in the Humber Sceptre. This engine was inclined at 15 degrees to achieve a lower bonnet profile and facilitate carburetor placement. Holbay-tuned versions equipped with twin Weber 40DCOE carburetors produced for the Sunbeam Rapier H120 and Hillman Hunter GLS models. A smaller 1500 cc engine powered manual versions of the Hillman Minx, Singer Gazelle, and Hunter DeLuxe; automatic transmissions employed the larger 1725 cc unit. Weight and cost considerations were carefully balanced to remain competitive against rivals such as the Mark 2 Ford Cortina.

This range introduced Rootes' first use of MacPherson strut front suspension combined with a rear live axle mounted on leaf springs. Additional features included curved side windows and improved flow-through ventilation systems.

Available transmissions comprised four-speed manual gearboxes with optional Laycock de Normanville overdrive or Borg-Warner automatics—initially a Type 35 three-speed unit later upgraded to a Type 45 four-speed from 1973 onwards. The handbrake followed 'Audax' tradition by being located between the driver's seat and door.

The inaugural Arrow model—the Hillman Hunter—replaced the Hillman Super Minx. It featured reduced weight and a shorter wheelbase but increased passenger cabin length by shifting the engine forward.

Initial modifications were minimal; however, power-assisted brakes became an official factory option from May 1968 after previously being available only as retrofit kits. A minor facelift in 1970 refreshed grilles and dashboards, replacing wood trims with plastic in some versions.

A more comprehensive update arrived in 1972 introducing an all-plastic dashboard with hooded circular instruments, a redesigned steering wheel, plastic air cleaner housing, reshaped squarer headlamps within a new grille design, along with revised engine tuning.

In 1975, bumpers were enlarged and tail lamps were set within a continuous anodized aluminum trim spanning the rear width.

Following Rootes' acquisition by Chrysler in 1967, model variations were gradually reduced until only the Hillman Hunter remained by 1976. Starting September 1977, it was rebadged as a Chrysler for its final two years. Production relocated from Ryton to Rootes' troubled Linwood plant in 1969.

Sales declined post-1975 after introduction of the front-wheel-drive hatchback Chrysler Alpine, although rear-wheel-drive saloons still held dominance within this segment.

After production of the Hillman Avenger moved to Linwood in 1976, remaining European Hunters were assembled from "complete knock down" kits at Santry in Ireland until manufacturing ceased in 1979. No records indicate that Talbot badging was applied to Hunters following Peugeot's acquisition of Chrysler Europe in 1978.

The last Chrysler Hunter rolled off production lines in September 1979 at Porirua, New Zealand; it was subsequently donated to the Southward Car Museum before being sold to a private collector in 2000.

Models and Market Positions

Throughout the 1960s, Rootes focused on consolidating its platforms and reducing engineering expenses while preserving acquired brand identities to sustain product differentiation. The Arrow platform was designed to serve various market niches under different brand and model designations during its 13-year lifespan.

Hillman

The first vehicles introduced in October 1966 carried the Hillman Hunter badge, powered by a 1725 cc engine, followed by the Hillman Minx with a 1496 cc engine in January 1967. Hillman remained the group's most widely produced marque. Notably, the Hunter name had been briefly applied earlier to the Singer SM1500.

Sporting versions included the Hillman GT, which was based on the Minx but marketed separately, featuring a twin Zenith Stromberg CD150 carburettor 1725 cc engine delivering and Ro-Style wheels. In 1972, the Hunter GLS was equipped with a Holbay-tuned twin-Weber carburettor engine shared with the Sunbeam Rapier H120, complemented by a close-ratio gearbox and quad headlights.

The estate variant, introduced in April 1967 as simply the "Hillman Estate Car" without Hunter or Minx badges, incorporated a one-piece tailgate—a simpler and more cost-effective solution than its predecessor's split design—although it attracted some critical commentary.

Andrew Cowan’s triumph in the 1968 London-Sydney Marathon notably bolstered the Hunter’s reputation.

Subsequently, the lineup was streamlined: the Hillman Hunter DeLuxe (DL) succeeded the Minx, maintaining the 1496 cc engine with an optional upgrade to a 1725 cc iron-head unit; higher trims included the Hunter Super and Hunter GL featuring alloy-headed engines and distinctive styling. The twin-carburettor Hillman Hunter GT replaced its original version, while the Holbay-powered GLS occupied the top tier.

At the 1975 Motor Show, Rootes unveiled a limited edition Hillman Hunter Topaz based on the Hunter Super. It came equipped with overdrive, a radio, vinyl roof, Rostyle wheels, and unique metallic bronze paint at an attractive price point. In French-speaking markets, an estate called Hillman Break de Chasse was offered based on Minx specifications, alongside a comparable Sunbeam Break de Chasse (with "break" referring to an estate car and "break de chasse" roughly translating to shooting-brake).

Singer

The Singer Vogue and Singer Gazelle aimed at a slightly more premium segment compared to the Hillman Hunter and Minx. To keep pricing competitive, particularly in the UK where it remained under £1,000, the Singer Vogue estate launched in April 1967 utilized a dynamo instead of an alternator found in the saloon version.

These models were phased out early in 1970 along with all other Singer vehicles. After discontinuing the brand, the Singer Vogue was briefly rebranded as a Sunbeam for key export markets.

Sunbeam

Known for their sporty appeal, the single-carburettor Sunbeam Alpine and twin-carburettor Sunbeam Rapier fastback coupés targeted performance enthusiasts. The Rapier H120 represented the sportiest variant, sharing its Holbay-tuned engine with the Hillman Hunter GLS. Nonetheless, it was predominantly the Hillman Hunter that achieved recognition in endurance rally competitions.

For export territories familiar with Sunbeam branding, models such as Sunbeam Arrow, Break de Chasse, Hunter, Minx, Sceptre, and Vogue were available. The Sunbeam Arrow name was specifically used in North America. In French-speaking countries, estate models bore names like Break de Chasse, Hunter, Vogue, and Minx (with "break" signifying an estate). The Sunbeam Sceptre appeared in France and some German-speaking nations featuring Humber Sceptre-level specifications. After Singer’s withdrawal in 1970, the Sunbeam Vogue continued briefly in UK markets.

Humber

The Humber Sceptre stood as the premium model within the lineup, capitalizing on Humber's established prestige for producing upscale automobiles. In certain regions, it was sold under the Sunbeam Sceptre name.

Manual transmission variants came equipped with either D-type or, from July 1972 onwards starting at chassis number L3, the more advanced J-type Laycock De Normanville overdrive. All Arrow series vehicles were also available with automatic gearboxes. Later iterations of the Sceptre incorporated a G-type gearbox featuring closer gear ratios, paired with the J-type overdrive unit.

An estate version was unveiled at the London Motor Show in October 1974, distinguished by a factory-installed roof rack, a carpeted cargo area with metal strips, interior illumination, and rear window washer and wiper—an uncommon feature for UK estates of that period.

Chrysler Hunter

In September 1976, the Hillman Hunter was rebranded as the Chrysler Hunter in the United Kingdom, adopting a front design with four headlights similar to those found on the Hunter GLS and Humber Sceptre. To prolong its market presence, enhancements included a central console and a voltmeter. The Super trim level introduced features such as an aluminium cylinder head engine, viscous fan coupling, reclining seats, vinyl roof covering, and faux wood interior accents. By this stage, Chrysler UK's dealers had been offering the French-built Chrysler Alpine for over two years, relegating the Hunter to a limited production run as a phase-out model. According to How Many Left data, only seven examples remain in the UK today, with one still operational. Shortly before production ceased in 1979, Chrysler's European division was sold to Peugeot; although the Chrysler brand lingered briefly afterward, it was replaced by Talbot across Europe starting 1 August 1979.

The Hunter’s successor was effectively the Talbot Solara—a four-door saloon derivative of the Alpine hatchback—launched in April 1980.

Australia

From 1967 onward, Chrysler Australia assembled Hillman Hunters from CKD kits at its Port Melbourne facility, which had been acquired from Rootes Australia. The HB series offered two main variants: the Arrow with basic vinyl seating and the better-appointed Hunter featuring carpeted flooring. In May 1968, a Hunter Safari wagon was introduced. The Safari designation was also applied to Chrysler Valiant wagons and gained popularity competing against rivals like the Holden Torana, which lacked an estate option.

November 1968 saw the arrival of the HC series with a refreshed grille and rectangular headlamps. The Arrow model was renamed Hunter (keeping its trim level), while the original Hunter became known as the Hunter Royal—akin to the UK Singer Vogue but distinguished by a plastic dashboard and simulated wood trim. The Hunter GT matched the trim level of the UK Humber Sceptre but retained a standard grille and incorporated parts sourced from various UK models.

The HE series launched in 1970 featured an exclusive Australian facelift with a redesigned grille, smaller rectangular headlights, a flush rear trim panel beneath the boot lid, and twin-lens tail lights. Rear panel colors varied depending on model specification. Inside, HE models were upgraded with a collapsible steering column and adopted the steering wheel from the Valiant.

Later additions to the range included the Hustler, an affordable performance-oriented variant similar to the UK Hillman GT. It utilized a 1725cc engine equipped with an alloy head and twin Stromberg carburettors. Its styling drew inspiration from the Chrysler Valiant (VG) Pacer. The Hunter GT was renamed Hunter Royal 660, featuring Rostyle wheels and buffalo grain textured vinyl upholstery shared with luxury Valiant models.

Although sales remained consistent for some time, Chrysler Australia's introduction of Mitsubishi Galant assembly in 1972 provided a more modern alternative that diminished demand for the Hunter. Production of Australian Hunters ended in November 1972; remaining inventory took almost twelve months to sell out. This concluded Rootes car marketing in Australia as Chrysler redirected manufacturing efforts to its Tonsley Park plant located in Adelaide.

New Zealand

Todd Motors, a New Zealand importer and CKD assembler, created distinctive variations of the Arrow series. The initial 1967 model featured a 1725 cc engine with an aluminium head, paired with either a four-speed manual gearbox or a three-speed Borg Warner 35 automatic transmission, closely resembling the British version. Starting in 1969, Todd introduced its own upholstery patterns alongside the update to rectangular headlights. In 1970, the Hunter saloon received a silver rear trim panel and a boot lid badge stating 'by Chrysler.' That year also saw the addition of an estate model with a more basic specification: an iron head 1725 cc engine, no automatic option, simpler dashboard detailing, painted window surrounds, and fixed front quarter-lights. Due to the handbrake placement, the driver's door did not include an armrest.

From 1967 to 1971, Todd also marketed the Singer Vogue saloon featuring the 1725 cc engine and a wood veneer dashboard, which was subsequently replaced by the Hunter GL.

Early 1971 brought a unique New Zealand update that relocated side "Hunter" badges, revised seat and door trims, and matched door tops with seat colors. The alloy-headed "super" saloon was distinguished by a redesigned 'by Chrysler' badge and a black spray-on tail panel. Initially, upholstery options included tan, red, blue, or black vinyl paired with matching dashboards; later revisions introduced new vinyl textures and colors (eliminating blue) while reverting dashboards to black. Unlike its UK counterpart—which experienced specification downgrades—the New Zealand Hunter maintained its premium features.

The 1972 facelift introduced an enhanced engine with updated carburettor and ignition settings, smaller squarer headlamps, a new dashboard featuring hooded round gauges instead of strip speedometers, high-backed front seats, and an updated silver tail trim panel. Upholstery remained unchanged until mid-1973 when all locally assembled Chrysler/Hillman models adopted a 'wet look' vinyl available in cream, brown, and blue with black dashboards.

Todd replaced the Singer Vogue in 1972 with a "GL" model characterized by wooden inserts on the dashboard and doors, as well as standard reversing lights. On sedans, rear Hunter badges were repositioned; local badging indicated "Super," "Super Auto," and "GL" variants (with the exception of "GL Auto," which was simply badged as "GL"). In 1973, Todd introduced a distinctive "GL" variant featuring a simplified four-headlight front end inspired by the Humber Sceptre and added a new silver strip beneath the tail lights incorporating reversing lights for a unique appearance.

By the mid-1970s, the Hunter faced growing competition from newer Japanese vehicles. Todd adopted larger bumpers and grille designs from the UK’s 1975 update but streamlined the lineup into a single Super saloon equipped with a four-headlight front fascia and synthetic wood dashboard trims. Final enhancements included standard cigarette lighters and illuminated heater controls.

Around 1975, the optional automatic transmission was upgraded from a three-speed Borg Warner 35 to a four-speed Borg Warner 45; however, supply constraints necessitated reverting to the three-speed unit for certain production runs.

Similar to developments in Australia but delayed by six years, Mitsubishi models eventually displaced the Hunter from the market. Todd began CKD assembly of Mitsubishi Galant coupés in 1972, followed by Lancer saloons in 1975 and mid-size Galant Sigma saloons in 1977—effectively supplanting the Hunter. Despite their higher pricing, Mitsubishis offered more contemporary features; nonetheless, the Hunter remained well-liked until its production ceased in 1979—marking it as the last Chrysler-badged vehicle manufactured worldwide.

Significantly, the Hunter became New Zealand’s first CKD model line to exceed 30,000 units produced over its twelve-year lifespan.

South Africa

Beginning in 1968, the Hunter and Vogue models were assembled domestically in South Africa. The Vogue carried the Hillman badge, while the Hunter Deluxe was sold under the name "Hillman Arrow." Due to Stanley Motors' assembly of Peugeot vehicles, the Arrow utilized the 1618 cc XC engine from the Peugeot 404 until production ceased in mid-1977, with Sigma Motor Corporation managing the final six months. In 1976, the Chrysler Vogue 2000 incorporated the 1971 cc XN1 engine from the Peugeot 504. The Hunter Wagon, which was renamed "Hunter Safari" in 1972, was also produced locally; at that time, the Arrow model was discontinued.

In 1975, Chrysler introduced the "Dodge Husky," a pickup variant based on the Hunter and powered by the British 1725 cc engine. Unlike the Iranian Paykan pickup, this model featured a reinforced B-pillar and maintained design elements consistent with a saloon. By 1976, passenger cars transitioned from using the Hillman name to being branded as Chrysler Vogues. The 2000 GL, GLS, and Safari variants adopted the larger Peugeot engine.

Iranian Paykan

In 1966, Iran National (now known as Iran Khodro) commenced assembly of Hillman Hunters from CKD kits following an agreement with Rootes Group. This led to the creation of the Paykan—meaning "arrow"—which became Iran's national vehicle available in saloon, utility, and taxi configurations.

Initial Paykan models were equipped with the Hunter's 1725 cc engine, while subsequent versions featured a 1600 cc engine from the Avenger combined with a modified Arrow four-speed gearbox that was later upgraded to five speeds. Engine control advanced to Multi Point Electronic Fuel Injection developed by Sagem, incorporating ECU-managed spark coils. The differential also underwent enhancements for improved compatibility.

In 1977, designer Roy Axe updated the Paykan’s appearance by integrating components from the Chrysler Alpine (Simca 1307). Complete local production started in 1985 after British manufacturing ceased. Peugeot secured a contract allowing Iran Khodro to continue producing Paykans using original body panels but fitted with Peugeot 504 engines and suspension systems for an additional six years—mirroring South Africa’s strategy of employing Peugeot engines to satisfy local content regulations.

Production of the Paykan saloon concluded in May 2005, succeeded by Iran Khodro’s domestically designed IKCO Samand. The Bardo 1600i pickup persisted as the final Arrow derivative until its discontinuation in May 2015.

Peru

Chrysler produced the Hillman Hunter in Peru, offering both sedan and station wagon body styles.

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