Hillman Hunter
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Missing image Sunbeam.rapier.arp.jpg 1974 Sunbeam Rapier |
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Missing image 1972.hillman.hunter.gls.arp.750pix.jpg 1972 Hillman Hunter GLS |
Missing image 1975.humber.sceptre.arp.jpg 1975 Humber Sceptre |
The Hillman Hunter was a sedan automobile produced by the Rootes Group (later Chrysler Europe) from 1966 to 1979.
Known within Rootes as the "Arrow" range, it was the Coventry-based company's entry in the mid-sized family segment. In its 13-year production run, its contemporaries were the Ford Cortina, Morris Marina and Vauxhall Victor.
The design spawned a number of badge-engineered derivatives, including the cheaper Hillman Minx, Singer Gazelle, Sunbeam Vogue, Humber Sceptre (intended to be the luxury version), and the Sunbeam Rapier (a sports coupe). The Hunter is considered by many to be the last "true" Rootes car since it was developed without any Chrysler influence, although the Avenger lays equal claim to that title.
With cash-strapped Rootes struggling amid continuing problems with the troubled Imp, the Hunter could break little new engineering ground, largely being based on components from the corporate parts bin, using a new 5-bearing version of the well proven 1725cc overhead valve engine as a starting point. For the first time for a Rootes car, MacPherson strut suspension featured at the front, with a conventional live axle mounted on leaf springs at the rear. Manual transmissions were available in 4-speed form with an optional overdrive, or Borg-Warner 3 or 4-speed automatic transmissions, again as an option. Three bodystyles were available, a 4-door sedan, a 5-door station wagon, and a fastback coupe. A mild facelift in 1970 gave the car new grilles and a more modern dashboard with round dials, but overall, the car remained unchanged througout its life.
The high peformance version powered by a Holbay-tuned version of the 1725cc engine fed by dual Weber 40DCOE carburettors was very successful in international rallying - a Hunter won the 1968 London-Sydney competition.
Following Rootes' takeover in 1967 by Chrysler, the various Hunter derivatives were slowly discontinued until only the Hillman version was left by 1976, when it was rebadged as a Chrysler for the last 3 years of its life. To keep the struggling factory alive, Hunter production was switched to Rootes' plant in Linwood, in 1969 from its original home of Ryton. Following the Avenger's move to Linwood in 1976, the very last Hunters were assembled in Ireland until production ended in 1979 - but no evidence exists to suggest that the Talbot badge was applied to any production Hunter following Chrysler Europe's 1978 takeover by Peugeot.
Paykan
In 1966, Iran Khodro manufactured the Hunter from kits. The resulting Paykan (Persian for arrow, the car's original Rootes codename) saloon, pick-up and taxi models became known as Iran's national car.
Total local production began in 1985, after the original British production lines were closed and Peugeot's contract to supply the kits was cancelled.
With Peugeot's help, a new contract was struck where Iran Khodro would manufacture the Paykan with the same body but Peugeot 504 engines and suspension, for six more years.
In 1991, Iran Khodro began manufacturing its own parts for the Paykan. Today, Paykans have a 98 per cent local content.
The Paykan finally ceased production in May 2005. It had been expected that the Samand, a car that entered development in 1996 and was first produced in 2000, would take over the Paykan's role. The Samand is Iran Khodro's fully home-grown effort.