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Hi folks, Over the years I've had many Avengers and Sunbeams, but this particular one has stayed with me.  The car was a standard 1500 Gl when I bought it and I ran it as such for a while, but over time, various suspension upgrades happened, a performance exhaust and 4 branch exhaust, along with Avenger GT twin Stromberg carbs were all added. Now it was much more fun and remained with this spec for a year or so. Next came the purchase of a 1600 from a Sunbeam Ti and after a quick check over, was dropped in and although only running on the GT twin carbs still, there was a big difference in get up and go. Again, I ran this for a couple years until I got bored and when 'browsing' eBay one evening, I was suddenly the owner of an AVFR5 road rally camshaft. Now, the profile of that cam wouldn't have been fully exploited with the standard Ti head, so the search began for bits to 'spruce up' one of my spare Ti heads. Whilst chatting to a mate who had a Sunbeam road rally car one evening, he mentioned a mate of his with an Ex-Talbot works big valve, ported head. 1 phone call later and I had a cylinder head (which although far too extreme really for a daily used road car, but also far to cheap to let pass by) in the boot of the car heading back to Pembrokeshire. So after a strip down, clean up and valve lapping, out came the Ti lump, in went the cam and on went the cylinder head, along with a pair of rebuilt Ti Weber Dcoe's. What can I say, what a grin inducing car it had suddenly become. Under 2000rpm, you had to be careful with the throttle, but over 2000, it just got better and better, right through to 7500rpm. Now I had a car that would do (and did a few times, on private roads, obviously) over 120mph. A good few years running like this continued, along with filling the front wings before each MOT as the were getting steadily worse each year. We attended the Avenger and Sunbeam Owners Club Nation weekend pretty much every year at Curborough sprint track and had great fun on the circuit.  I did bits of bodywork over the years, replaced the rear wheel arches etc, but in 2006 the back axle decided it had had enough and the diff 'spat it's dummy out'. Now, I had a spare axle, but decided because the the bodywork needed some TLC, it was a good time to take it off the road and do the jobs, plus swap the axle. That was in 2006...…. |
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1964 Saab 96 two Stroke
1971 Hillman Avenger 1500 GL (Tuned 1600 fitted)
1976 Saab 99 2dr EMS (Project of very slow progress)
1978 Saab 99 2dr EMS (Awaiting reshell)
1981 Saab 99 2dr Turbo (Awaiting reshell)
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Roll on 2019...…  Well, she's sat in my lockup, with other projects until now and is looking pretty sorry for herself.  So, the time has come to start doing something with it and to get it back on the road again. |
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1964 Saab 96 two Stroke
1971 Hillman Avenger 1500 GL (Tuned 1600 fitted)
1976 Saab 99 2dr EMS (Project of very slow progress)
1978 Saab 99 2dr EMS (Awaiting reshell)
1981 Saab 99 2dr Turbo (Awaiting reshell)
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Rusty old front wings were the first to come off..  n/s is a bit worse.  o/s tie rod mount is pretty good still, considering  n/s, not so much  |
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1964 Saab 96 two Stroke
1971 Hillman Avenger 1500 GL (Tuned 1600 fitted)
1976 Saab 99 2dr EMS (Project of very slow progress)
1978 Saab 99 2dr EMS (Awaiting reshell)
1981 Saab 99 2dr Turbo (Awaiting reshell)
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So, I've got a lockup nearly 20 miles from home and pretty much in the middle of nowhere, that has no power or water. Progress is going to be pretty slow to say the least. We're hoping to move house next year and fingers crossed, will buy somewhere with a garage, then I'll be able to get more done. For now though, I'm just going through the car to see how bad it is and what work needs doing. I've also got the spare axle to strip, clean, paint and rebuild with all new bearings, seals etc, so a bit to keep me busy until I have somewhere with power  Will |
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1964 Saab 96 two Stroke
1971 Hillman Avenger 1500 GL (Tuned 1600 fitted)
1976 Saab 99 2dr EMS (Project of very slow progress)
1978 Saab 99 2dr EMS (Awaiting reshell)
1981 Saab 99 2dr Turbo (Awaiting reshell)
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retrolegends
Club Retro Rides Member
Winging it.....Since 1971.
Posts: 3,726
Club RR Member Number: 94
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Nice to see another Avenger on the way back, always liked the front end of the GL, I used to rag my Aztec Gold 2 door Mk1 around Curborough when I was in the ASOC years ago, always used to be a good weekend.
Bookmarked with interest 👍
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1974 Hillman Avenger 1500DL1992 Volvo 240SE1975 Datsun Cherry 100a flying custard1965 Hillman SuperMinx Rock N Roller1974 Austin Allegrat Mk1 1.3SDL1980 Austin Allegro Mk3 1.3L1982 Austin Allegro Mk3 on banded steels2003 Saab 9-3 Convertible 220bhp TurboNutter1966 Morris Minor 1000 (Doris) 2019 Abarth 595C Turismo (not retro but awesome fun) www.facebook.com/DatsunCherry100a |
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Nice to see another Avenger on the way back, always liked the front end of the GL, I used to rag my Aztec Gold 2 door Mk1 around Curborough when I was in the ASOC years ago, always used to be a good weekend. Bookmarked with interest 👍 Cheers Retrolegends. When did you go to an ASOC national at Curborough last? I can remember one or two gold 2 doors attending over the years. 2006 was the last one I went to. Will |
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1964 Saab 96 two Stroke
1971 Hillman Avenger 1500 GL (Tuned 1600 fitted)
1976 Saab 99 2dr EMS (Project of very slow progress)
1978 Saab 99 2dr EMS (Awaiting reshell)
1981 Saab 99 2dr Turbo (Awaiting reshell)
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retrolegends
Club Retro Rides Member
Winging it.....Since 1971.
Posts: 3,726
Club RR Member Number: 94
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I sold the car in 2001 as I had no storage at the time to a guy in Stirling and didn’t see it again although it was around until 2009 I believe. Group A big valve head with double valve springs on a straight through exhaust all on standard suspension made for er “Interesting’ handling.  I think was is taken in 2000, tankin around the top corner. The engine kicked that much once when accelerating enthusiastically I put the fan straight through the radiator 😂 |
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1974 Hillman Avenger 1500DL1992 Volvo 240SE1975 Datsun Cherry 100a flying custard1965 Hillman SuperMinx Rock N Roller1974 Austin Allegrat Mk1 1.3SDL1980 Austin Allegro Mk3 1.3L1982 Austin Allegro Mk3 on banded steels2003 Saab 9-3 Convertible 220bhp TurboNutter1966 Morris Minor 1000 (Doris) 2019 Abarth 595C Turismo (not retro but awesome fun) www.facebook.com/DatsunCherry100a |
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I remember that car, was quite noisy wasn't it and as you say, interesting handling due to ride height etc.
I may have some pictures and even video footage of it on my old video camera. I'll have a look sometime.
Do you remember a Red Saab 99 Turbo going around the circuit in 2000? If so, that was me. I didn't have an Avenger or Sunbeam for a couple of years, but attended in the Saab and a couple of mates in their Avenger and Sunbeam.
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1964 Saab 96 two Stroke
1971 Hillman Avenger 1500 GL (Tuned 1600 fitted)
1976 Saab 99 2dr EMS (Project of very slow progress)
1978 Saab 99 2dr EMS (Awaiting reshell)
1981 Saab 99 2dr Turbo (Awaiting reshell)
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This is mine from 2006.
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1964 Saab 96 two Stroke
1971 Hillman Avenger 1500 GL (Tuned 1600 fitted)
1976 Saab 99 2dr EMS (Project of very slow progress)
1978 Saab 99 2dr EMS (Awaiting reshell)
1981 Saab 99 2dr Turbo (Awaiting reshell)
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Dunno why, but there doesn't seem to be any sound on the uploaded video.
Unless it's my laptop that's playing up.
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1964 Saab 96 two Stroke
1971 Hillman Avenger 1500 GL (Tuned 1600 fitted)
1976 Saab 99 2dr EMS (Project of very slow progress)
1978 Saab 99 2dr EMS (Awaiting reshell)
1981 Saab 99 2dr Turbo (Awaiting reshell)
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retrolegends
Club Retro Rides Member
Winging it.....Since 1971.
Posts: 3,726
Club RR Member Number: 94
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Yes I think I can remember a Saab, my mate was there in an XR3i and got slated for it, it was the same year Marcus Chambers had his Avenger Estate done up as a works support car if I remember correctly. Here’s another pic I’ve found  Do they still do the National at Curborough? I’ve not been for years. |
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1974 Hillman Avenger 1500DL1992 Volvo 240SE1975 Datsun Cherry 100a flying custard1965 Hillman SuperMinx Rock N Roller1974 Austin Allegrat Mk1 1.3SDL1980 Austin Allegro Mk3 1.3L1982 Austin Allegro Mk3 on banded steels2003 Saab 9-3 Convertible 220bhp TurboNutter1966 Morris Minor 1000 (Doris) 2019 Abarth 595C Turismo (not retro but awesome fun) www.facebook.com/DatsunCherry100a |
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Marcus had the Lotus Avenger Estate as a works barge, yes, I remember that.
I've no idea where they hold the Nationals these days.
As I say, not been since 06 and didn't rejoin the club either.
I definitely recognise the reg number of yours though.
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1964 Saab 96 two Stroke
1971 Hillman Avenger 1500 GL (Tuned 1600 fitted)
1976 Saab 99 2dr EMS (Project of very slow progress)
1978 Saab 99 2dr EMS (Awaiting reshell)
1981 Saab 99 2dr Turbo (Awaiting reshell)
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retrolegends
Club Retro Rides Member
Winging it.....Since 1971.
Posts: 3,726
Club RR Member Number: 94
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Sound worked fine for me, that looked really planted! I remember coming out of those esses into that right hander and crapping myself when it tightened up. 🤣
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1974 Hillman Avenger 1500DL1992 Volvo 240SE1975 Datsun Cherry 100a flying custard1965 Hillman SuperMinx Rock N Roller1974 Austin Allegrat Mk1 1.3SDL1980 Austin Allegro Mk3 1.3L1982 Austin Allegro Mk3 on banded steels2003 Saab 9-3 Convertible 220bhp TurboNutter1966 Morris Minor 1000 (Doris) 2019 Abarth 595C Turismo (not retro but awesome fun) www.facebook.com/DatsunCherry100a |
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Sound worked fine for me, that looked really planted! I remember coming out of those esses into that right hander and crapping myself when it tightened up. 🤣 Must be my laptop playing up then as not got sound on the videos here. I used to love the Esses, could come around the right into them on the power, then as you turned into the left, back off and let her slide in, then hard on the power to pull yourself through and around the right out of them. Same with the top corner, power into it, then turn in and lift off. Great little circuit  |
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1964 Saab 96 two Stroke
1971 Hillman Avenger 1500 GL (Tuned 1600 fitted)
1976 Saab 99 2dr EMS (Project of very slow progress)
1978 Saab 99 2dr EMS (Awaiting reshell)
1981 Saab 99 2dr Turbo (Awaiting reshell)
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Davenger
Club Retro Rides Member
It's only metal
Posts: 7,272
Club RR Member Number: 140
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Good to see you finally doing something with it mate
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lebowski
Part of things
Hillman Avenger, Clan Clover
Posts: 488
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I think my Dad has some photo's of your Avenger going round Curborough. I remember thinking yours went surprisingly well.
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Dec 10, 2019 20:33:08 GMT
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I think my Dad has some photo's of your Avenger going round Curborough. I remember thinking yours went surprisingly well. Ooh, if he has, I'd love to see them sometime, if at all possible. It didn't go too badly, was under carbed back then only running a single 45. It did get driven fairly 'enthusiastically' though |
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1964 Saab 96 two Stroke
1971 Hillman Avenger 1500 GL (Tuned 1600 fitted)
1976 Saab 99 2dr EMS (Project of very slow progress)
1978 Saab 99 2dr EMS (Awaiting reshell)
1981 Saab 99 2dr Turbo (Awaiting reshell)
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Dec 10, 2019 20:47:25 GMT
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1964 Saab 96 two Stroke
1971 Hillman Avenger 1500 GL (Tuned 1600 fitted)
1976 Saab 99 2dr EMS (Project of very slow progress)
1978 Saab 99 2dr EMS (Awaiting reshell)
1981 Saab 99 2dr Turbo (Awaiting reshell)
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Dec 10, 2019 20:52:06 GMT
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Good to see you finally doing something with it mate Cheers Dave. Yeah, about time too most people would say. Will |
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1964 Saab 96 two Stroke
1971 Hillman Avenger 1500 GL (Tuned 1600 fitted)
1976 Saab 99 2dr EMS (Project of very slow progress)
1978 Saab 99 2dr EMS (Awaiting reshell)
1981 Saab 99 2dr Turbo (Awaiting reshell)
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lebowski
Part of things
Hillman Avenger, Clan Clover
Posts: 488
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I think my Dad has some photo's of your Avenger going round Curborough. I remember thinking yours went surprisingly well. Ooh, if he has, I'd love to see them sometime, if at all possible. It didn't go too badly, was under carbed back then only running a single 45. It did get driven fairly 'enthusiastically' though I'll see if I can find them when I'm back in the UK. I'm in Sri Lanka until the new year. |
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