The year is 1975 and a trio of commercial travellers is hoping for a lucrative potatocrisp order from a brewery near Reading. Each belongs to a firm whose fleet manager has opted for British Leyland, Chrysler UK or Vauxhall products rather than the ubiquitous Ford Cortina Mk3. So a Morris Marina 1.8 Super, a Hillman Hunter GLS and that new Vauxhall Cavalier 1900 GL gather in the courtyard.
Each of our test cars evokes the company world of the mid-1970s an existence of Rothmans, tinned travel sweets and motels with orange decor. Each morning the open road beckons with the promise of new opportunities, new hope and a glovebox filled with Luncheon Vouchers. The oldest design of our group is the Hillman, the Rootes Group having unveiled the Arrow-series Hunter, and its Singer Vogue counterpart, at the '66 London Motor Show. 'Chrysler UK' branding appeared four years later, and in the spring of 1972 the Hunter GLS appealed to those motorists who regarded a Cortina GXL as unspeakably naff.
The adverts claimed that the GLS would cut a dash from Stratford to Southampton - likely mesmerising customers of the A32's Little Chefen route. The significant sales feature was the Holbay-tuned 1725cc engine with twin Weber 40DCOES and suspension from the Sunbeam Rapier H120. The spec included a close-ratio gearbox, full instrumentation and a cabin decorated with wood veneer. Quad headlights from its Humber Sceptre stablemate and 'sports' wheels lent the Hillman a certain jauntiness, but, as CAR magazine noted, it was hardly likely to turn heads. Yet a low-key appearance suited many owners; this was a vehicle for the area manager, not a Flash Harry, and had no need for go-faster stripes.
This story is from the June 2023 edition of Classic & Sports Car.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 2023 edition of Classic & Sports Car.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
RAY HILLIER
Double-chevron oddity proves a break from the norm for this Crewe specialist
SHORT BACK & GLIDES
Eccentric enthusiast Captain RG McLeod's series of Manx-tailed Bentley Specials reached its zenith with this unique S2 Continental.
People's choice
The diminutive but multi-million-selling Fiat 850 packed a remarkable diversity of form and function into its compact footprint
PLASTIC BREAKS FROM THE NORM
Glassfibre revolutionised niche car-body production, but just occasionally strayed into the mainstream.
A SENSIBLE SUPERCAR
The cleverly conceived four-seater Elite secured Lotus a place at the big players' table, but has it been unfairly maligned since then?
"I had a habit of grabbing second place from the jaws of victory"
From dreams of yachting glory to the Le Mans podium, via a stint at the top of the motorsport tree, Howden Ganley had quite the career
Still going strong
Herbert Engineering staked its reputation on the five-year warranty that came with its cars. A century on, this Two Litre hasn't made a claim
One for the kids
General Motors was aiming squarely at the youth market with the launch of the Pontiac GTO 60 years ago, and its runaway success popularised the muscle-car movement
A NEW BREED OF HERO
Launched at the turn of the millennium, the GT3 badge has already earned a place alongside RS, CS and turbo in Porsche lore.
Brits with SIX appeal
The straight-six engine is synonymous with a decades-long legacy of great British sports cars. Six variations on the sextet theme convene for comparison
