1967 HILLMAN HUNTER
The Hillman Hunter and its badge-engineered siblings replaced two ranges of Rootes cars to fight in a bitterly competitive market. But would you want one today?
‘C all off the search. Here at last! The complete family car. New Hillman Hunter.’ Those lofty words, courtesy of a 1966 Rootes brochure, resonate at our first acquaintance with the car in front of us.
It’s difficult to assess the Hunter saloon without referencing its Rootes ‘Arrow’ siblings, which were virtually identical mechanically and bodily but with different front grilles, badging and interiors. They were sold for varying periods as a Hillman Minx, Singer Vogue, Singer Gazelle, Humber Sceptre and – briefly – Sunbeam Vogue. It was a veritable frenzy of badge engineering.
The new line-up had a lot resting on its shoulders; it had to replace two previous ranges of Rootes cars, the ‘Audax’ Hillman Minx and Singer Gazelle along with the larger Super Minx, Singer Vogue and range- topping Humber Sceptre. To do this the newcomer had to be good so expectations were high.
Anyone might initially bemoan the Hunter’s lack of curves compared to its predecessors and the less distinctive chrome bits. Alittle more acquaintance and we realise how neat and well-proportioned this Hunter is, exactly what was needed for the time and place in which it was launched. Back then, such unfussy design was actually radical, though to a degree shared with the Hunter’s deadly rival and fellow 1966 Motor Show debutante, the Ford Cortina MkII.
There is definitely a form of comfortable confidence in the Hunter’s basic design. Acar that looks good but can blend in and whose shape won’t put anyone off their dinner. Just take a look at that low bonnet line, which was made possible by tweaking the angle of the engine slightly. Clever stuff First impressions from the comfortable reclining driver’s seat are of the excellent driving position and good all-round visibility. The dashboard has period ribbed black plastic with silver edging and well-laid out – and well-labelled – features; the indicators, dip switch and horn are all activated by a single stalk on the steering column. The dished steering wheel isn’t over- large and there are fresh air vents – which Chrysler UK referred to as 'facial ventilators’ – located on each side of the dashboard.
Luxuries include a twin-speed blower fan and a centre console with two ashtrays, one each for front and rear seat passengers, with a tray to store those Players Number 6 fag packets and tins of travel sweeties.
The 1725cc engine – complete with aluminium cylinder head and five-bearing crankshaft, as seen in its Audax predecessors – starts quickly on full choke and settles down to a refined chatter. It’s a
