#rootes.group

072 Hillman Imp (1966) FNT 481 D by Robert Knight Via Flickr: Hillman Imp (1963-76) Engine 875 cc S4 OC Production 440,032 Registration Number FNT 481 D (Shropshire) HILLMAN SET www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/sets/72157623789458598... Developed under the project name Apex by the Rootes Group to take on the BMC Mini, though the Imp arrived 4 years later than the Mini. Powered by an all aluminium 875cc rear mounted engine . With version badge engineered as Singer and Sunbeam. Rootes had been given a Government grant for a new assembly plant and a stake in a brand new Pressed Steel plant to be built in Linwood, Glasgow then an employment black spot. But production was beset with stoppages and costs incurred in producing the engine casting at Linwood then transporting them to Ryton, Coventry to be machined and assembled before transporting back to Linwood for to be put in the cars, a return journey of 600 miles. Despite these problems the Imp did prove popular, though not as much as the Mini and the extra cost made them barely profitable Diolch am 97,835,278 o olygiadau gwych, mae pob un ohonynt yn cael eu gwerthfawrogi'n fawr. Thanks for 97,835,278 amazing views, every one is greatly appreciated. Shot 10.09.2022, at Statfold Barn Railway, near Tamworth, Staffordshire REF 164-072

150 Hillman Husky Audax Series 1 (1959) XAB 311 by Robert Knight Via Flickr: Hillman Husky Audax Ser. I - Commer Cob (1958-60) Engine 1390cc S4 OHV Registration Number XAB 311 (Worcestershire) HILLMAN SET www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/sets/72157623789458598... COMMER SET www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/sets/72157623652553073... When the Audax, Hillman Minx range was launched in 1954 a low price version of the Hillman Minx VIII was first offered as a three door estate version of the Commer Cob, known as the Husky and powered by a 1294cc engine The Husky version was launched in 1958 with a detuned 1390cc overhead-valve unit de-rated to an output of 51 hp engine. The Husky had three door body two inches longer than the previous series it was however 8 inches shorter than the Minx and the same size as the the Commer Cob panel van. As before, there was also a four-door Minx estate The Husky was restyled as the Series from 1960 now with a four speed gearbox, a slightly lowered roofline, deeper windscreen, improved seats and a new grille in line with the current Hillman Minx, retaining its 1390cc engine but with a higher compression and the carburettor changed to a Zenith 30 VIG type. When tested by Motor magazine in 1960 the Husky recorded a top speed of 73.4mph, and covered the 0-60mph sprint in 26.9 seconds, the overall fuel consumption was 30.8 mpg imperial and the test car cost £ 674 including taxes. A third and final version of the Audax Series Husky, the Series III was launched in 1963 the facelift keeping it line with the Minx, though the Husky maintained the same size wheels against a reduction from 15 to 13 inches for the Minx, and while the Minx gained front disc braking the Husky continued with drums. From 1964 the Husky gained an all-synchromesh gearbox and changes to the clutch and suspension. Production of the Series III ended in 1965 This car is registered as a Commer and may well have been an after market Commer Cob conversion Diolch am 97,331,131 o olygfeydd anhygoel, mae pob un yn cael ei werthfawr706'n fawr. Thanks for 97,331,131 amazing views, every one is greatly appreciated. Shot 21.08.2022, at Lupin Farm, Kings Bromley, Staffordshire REF 163-150

312 Sunbeam Tiger 1 (1967) 5005 UZ by Robert Knight Via Flickr: Sunbeam Tiger 1 (1964-67) Engine 4261cc V8 OHV Production 6450 Registration Number 5005 UZ (Belfast) SUNBEAM SET www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/sets/72157623847032276... The Sunbeam Tiger is a high-performance V8 version of the British Rootes Group's Sunbeam Alpine roadster, designed in part by American car designer and racing driver Carroll Shelby and produced from 1964 until 1967. Shelby had carried out a similar V8 conversion on the AC Cobra, and hoped to be offered the contract to produce the Tiger at his facility in America. Rootes decided instead to contract the assembly work to Jensen at West Bromwich in England, and pay Shelby a royalty on every car produced. Launched in 1964, and powered by a 260 cu in (4.3 ltr) V8 of 164bhp The suspension was independent at the front, using coil springs, and at the rear had a live axle and semi-elliptic springs. Apart from the addition of a Panhard rod to better locate the rear axle, and stiffer front springs to cope with the weight of the V8 engine, and with disc braking at the front and drums on the rear. The first cars were exclusively shipped to America and badged as powered by Ford, selling at $ 3499. The Mark I remained unavailable in the UK until March 1965, when it was priced at £1446, it was also sold in South Africa, nadged as the Sunbeam Alpine 260 and priced at R 3350 The Mark 1 was replaced in 1967 by the 4.7 litre Tiger 2, with a further 633 produced for one season only, before the Tiger was cancelled by new owners Chrysler, who would not offer a car powered by a rivals engine. One of the most underated sports cars of its era. Diolch am 97,600,360 o olygiadau gwych, mae pob un ohonynt yn cael eu gwerthfawrogi'n fawr. Thanks for 97,600,360 amazing views, every one is greatly appreciated. Shot 21.08.2022, at Lupin Farm, Kings Bromley, Staffordshire REF 163-312

330 Sunbeam Alpine (Series 1) (1960) 104 DDV by Robert Knight Via Flickr: Sunbeam Alpine Series I (1959-60) Engine 1494cc S4 OHV Production 69,251 (all Series) 11904 Series 1 Registration Number 104 DDV (Devon) SUNBEAM ALBUM www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/sets/72157623847032276... The Sunbeam Alpine was designed by Kenneth Howes and Jeff Crompton tasked with a complete redesign of the Sunbeam Mark III (Alpine). The body was styled by Raymond Loewe at the Loewy Studios for the Rootes Group. The Alpine was produced in four subsequent revisions until 1968. Total production numbered around 70,000. Production stopped shortly after the Chrysler takeover of the Rootes Group. Produced from 1959-68 as five separate Series The Series I was launched in 1959 making extensive use of components from other Rootes Group vehicles and was built on a modified floorpan from the Hillman Husky estate car., with the running gear mainly from the Sunbeam Rapier, but with front disc brakes replacing the saloon car's drums. Powered by a 1494cc S4 with an overdrive unit and wire wheels were optional. The suspension was independent at the front using coil springs and at the rear had a live axle and semi-elliptic springing. The Girling-manufactured brakes used 9.5 in at the front and 9 inch drums on the rear. The Series 1 was replaced by the Series II for model years 1960-63, the Series III 1963-64, Series IV 1964-65, Series V 1965-68 A marine blue Sunbeam Alpine (Series 2) appeared in the James Bond film, Dr. No film, Ian Flemmings original book had Bond driving a Series 1 Alpine. Driven by Bond (Sean Connery) while on vacation in the Blue Mountains, the villains driving a hearse attempt to drive Bond over the cliffs, but Bonds evasive driving dodges them. Bond then spots a angledozer at work in the road ahead and takes advantage of the Alpine’s low profile to drive under the machine’s shovel-arm, which is reaching across the road. The bulkier hearse is forced to swerve, it crashes down the mountain side before erupting in flames. The owner of the Series II used in the film, Jennifer Jackson, received a £10-per-day fee for the use of her car, unaware that it would soon become a famous piece of movie history Diolch am 94,784,079 o olygfeydd anhygoel, mae pob un yn cael ei werthfawrogi'n fawr. Thanks for 94,784,079 amazing views, every one is greatly appreciated. Shot 28.05.2022 at Smallwood Steam Rally. Cheshire REF 160-330

310 Sunbeam-Talbot 90 (Mark IIA) Sports Saloon (1954) SE 8930 by Robert Knight Via Flickr: Sunbeam Talbot 90 Mk IIA (1952-54) Engine 2267cc S4 OHV Production 10,888 Registration Number SE 8930 SUNBEAM-TALBOT SET www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/sets/72157623722681741... The Sunbeam-Talbot 90and built by Sunbeam-Talbot from 1948 to 1954 and continued as the Sunbeam Mk III from 1954 to 1957.The 90 was launched in 1948 along with the smaller-engined Sunbeam-Talbot 80 but many features dated back to the pre war Sunbeam-Talbot 2 Litre. The body, available as a 4-door 4-light sports saloon or 2-door drophead coupe, appeared completely new though it continued some major pressings. The saloon featured the original Aero-Minx pillar-less join between the glass on the rear door and the rear quarter window with its distinctive Sunbeam-Talbot reverse slope. went through three versions were produced before the name was changed to Sunbeam Mk III (without the Talbot) in 1954 Launched originally in 1948 with a 1,944 cc four-cylinder engine, a redesign of the earlier Sunbeam Talbot 2 litre The car was updated as the Mark II for the September 1950 Earls Court Motorshow. The engine was enlarged to 2267cc with an ouput of 70 bhp and with a higher rear axle ratio for for more comfortable cruising. The existing chassis was fitted with independent front suspension using coil springs mounted on a specially shaped new cross-member. The front of the 90's body was modified; the headlights were raised to meet international regulations and the fog and driving lights were moved and remounted to leave air inlet grilles on either side of the radiator. The Mk IIA had a higher compression engine raising output to 77 bhp, in order to cope with the higher speeds, the brakes were enlarged and to improve brake cooling the wheels were pierced. The rear wheel spats were no longer fitted to the Mark. IIA, It was still offered as a Sports Saloon or as a Drophead Coupe, which was the rarest of the Sunbeam-Talbots. Diolch am 97,599,066 o olygiadau gwych, mae pob un ohonynt yn cael eu gwerthfawrogi'n fawr. Thanks for 97,599,066 amazing views, every one is greatly appreciated. Shot 21.08.2022, at Lupin Farm, Kings Bromley, Staffordshire REF 163-310