Tell me about Hillman Hunters

My dad had a metallic bronze (ok, brown!) one when I was a child. Was ok. Had squeaky wipers which were very annoying!

Only recently stopped making them in Iran as they Peykan.

My old man had one too!
I've heard they are difficult to get body panels although if they made them in Iran the owners club is bound to have a source.

OOOOFFFF!!!

I own a 1967 Minx which is the same bodystyle as the Hunter. I quite like it. Mechanical parts availability is pretty good. Speedy Spares stocks most mechanical bits, has extremely good service, and delivers next day. Also, you can get most bits on ebay either NOS or used. Keep in mind that In addition to the Hunter and Minx, Rootes also sold the Singer Gazelle, Singer Vogue, Sunbeam Vogue, and Humber Sceptre, which are all generally the same car. The fastback Sunbeam Rapier can also supply lots of parts (its based on the Estate floorpan).

Body parts are a bit harder to come by. I believe the only panels you can buy new now are the outer sills. However other pieces turn up from time to time on ebay. I was able to get a NOS front valance/headlight panel for my Minx for £70. And anyways, from what I have seen, Rootes vehicles tend not to rot too badly compared to many of their contemporaries. The only real grot spots that will cause you grief to put right are the aforementioned headlight panel - usually right around/behind the headlights - and the front wings (I'm putting fibreglass ones on mine as a permanent cure for that problem) . The front outriggers and floors can also rust, especially if you have a leaky windscreen or if the air intake plenum where the heater bolts to gets plugged up and causes water to drip onto the floor. That said, these are parts that can be found or fabricated quite easily.

Instruments clusters tend to be quite easy to come across, but other interior bits don't seem to be that easy to find. However new seals and carpets are available.

Handling is ok, probably average by 70s standards. However mine is the base model so keep in mind that higher spec models came with The brakes are good. Mine is an automatic unfortunately, but from what I have heard, the Rootes 4spd gearbox is supposed to be a first rate piece. They come i either 1496 or 1725 cc trim. The 1725 can be had in either cast iron head or alloy head version, and the latter may be found with either single or twin stromberg versions. Then there is the Holbay of course which used a unique head, pistons, cam, tubular exhaust manifold and of course twin DCOE 40s.

The 1496cc motor was only available in the Minx, Hunter, or Gazelle. So keep that in mind if you are looking at one of those.
The engines themselves seem to be pretty tough and are easy to work on. In a pinch, a Rootes 4cyl from an earlier model will bolt in. However keep in mind that the earlier engines only have three main bearings as opposed to the five in the Hunters etc, so keep that in mind if you decide to modify it.

Thanks for all that info!

Look VERY good slammed. What suspension setup do they have? Struts at the front Leaf springs out back??
1725 would be fine until I drop a rover T series in ;D

Think they're strut front and leaf on the back, can't remember if they have rack and pinion steering or the good ol' box. Overdrive's helpful. There's a grey '67 Minx estate for sale by me, dare not go look at it in case I buy it!!

Got one a long time ago for the ex-Fiasco...... was a great car to drive and comfy as well.

Part of the deal buying the car was that for a silly price, we had to take two kittens..... bargin.

Guess what, my Dad had one too,a Minx, first car I travelled in, home from the hospital where I was born. I'd have a Humber Sceptre Estate version please.