Rootes Arrow
Rootes Arrow was the manufacturer's name for a range of cars produced under several badge-engineered marques by the Rootes Group (later Chrysler Europe) from 1966 to 1979. It is amongst the last Rootes designs, developed with no influence from future owner Chrysler. The range is almost always referred to by the name of the most prolific model, the Hillman Hunter.
| Rootes Group "Arrow" series | |
|---|---|
1967 Hillman Hunter Saloon | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Rootes Group (1966-1970) Chrysler Europe (1970-1979) Iran Khodro (1971-2005) |
| Also called | Hillman Hunter Paykan (Iran) |
| Production | 1966–1979 (Europe & Australasia) 1967-2005 (Iran) |
| Assembly | Ryton-on-Dunsmore, United Kingdom Linwood, United Kingdom Santry, Republic of Ireland Marsa, Malta (Car Assembly) Tehran , Iran Port Melbourne, Australia Petone and (from 1975) Porirua, New Zealand Malaysia (CKD) Philippines (CKD; by 1969) |
| Designer | Rex Fleming (overall) Roy Axe (estate and coupé) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Small family car |
| Body style | 4-door saloon 5-door estate 2-door coupé 2-door coupe utility (pick up) |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Related | See article for list of Arrow marques Paykan |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
|
| Transmission | 4 speed manual 4-speed manual + D-type Laycock Overdrive (1966–1972) 4-speed manual + J-type Laycock Overdrive (1972 on) Borg-Warner 35/65 automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 98.4 in (2,500 mm) (saloon) |
| Length | 170.6 in (4,333 mm) (saloon) |
| Width | 63.5 in (1,613 mm) (saloon) |
| Height | 56.0 in (1,422 mm) (saloon) |
| Curb weight | 2,100 lb (953 kg) (saloon) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Hillman Minx |
| Successor | Talbot Solara |
A substantial number of separate marque and model names were applied to this single car platform. Some were given different model names to justify trim differences (Hillman GT, Hillman Estate Car) and, from time to time, models were sold in some European markets under the Sunbeam marque (Sunbeam Sceptre for instance), and at other times used UK marque/model names. Singer Gazelle and Vogue models were also sold in the UK for one season badged as Sunbeams after the Singer brand was withdrawn.
The models sold – not all concurrently – were, alphabetically by marque:
- Chrysler Hunter, Chrysler Vogue
- Dodge Husky
- Hillman Arrow, Hillman Break de Chasse, Hillman Estate Car, Hillman GT, Hillman Hunter, Hillman Hustler, Hillman Minx, Hillman Vogue
- Humber Sceptre
- Iran National Paykan
- Singer Gazelle and Singer Vogue
- Sunbeam Alpine and Sunbeam Rapier fastback coupés
- Sunbeam Arrow, Sunbeam Break de Chasse, Sunbeam Hunter, Sunbeam Minx, Sunbeam Sceptre, and Sunbeam Vogue
The most prolific model within the Arrow range, the Hillman Hunter, was the Coventry-based company's major competitor in the small family car segment. In its 13-year production run, its UK market contemporaries included the Ford Cortina, Vauxhall Victor, Austin/Morris 1800, and Morris Marina. The sports-orientated Sunbeam Rapier occupied a segment contested by the Ford Capri, MGB GT, Vauxhall Firenza, and to an extent the Triumph Dolomite, while the more upmarket Humber Sceptre competed with other premium-specification cars based on conventional saloons, such as the Vanden Plas 1300 and 1500, the Wolseley 18/85, and the Ford Cortina 1600E and 2000E.
The Arrow range extended to several body styles: saloon, estate, fastback coupé and a two different coupe utilities (pick-ups) (the Dodge Husky from South Africa and the Paykan Pick-Up in Iran, each model had a unique body). Depending on the model, they had two doors or four doors. Not all marques were represented in all body styles, with the coupés being reserved for Sunbeam.