Chrysler had intended the "B" car (the Hillman Avenger)to be a "world" car and
to manufacture it in many countries (just as GM did with the Chevette).
Machinery to build it was set up in Brazil (to build the "Dodge 1800") and
Argentina (to build the "Dodge 1500"). When Chrysler was in financial trouble
in 1979-80 they sold off all of their overseas subsidaries. Volkswagen bought
the Argentina operation and continued to build the "Dodge 1500" as a VW 1500
until sometime in the 1990's. They then sold the equipment to make the
engines to the Paykan company in Iran who is now installing them in the Paykan
(which is a Hillman Hunter).
The Hillman Avenger was sold in the USA as the Plymouth Cricket from
1971-1973.
There is some irony in this... in 1945-46 the British government offered
Rootes the Volkswagen factory (it was in the British zone of occupation).
Rootes engineers compared the VW to the forthcoming Hillman Mark III and
determined that the VW was so inferior to the Hillman that it would never be
successful. Therefore, Rootes turned down the offer and the factory was given
to the local German government!!!
Jan Eyerman
1973 Hillman Avenger (ex Plymouth Cricket)
"Sankus, Jeffrey H (Jeffrey)" <jhs@agere.com> wrote:
What? VW 1500? Can anyone fill me in?
-----Original Message-----
From: Jan Eyerman [mailto:jan.eyerman@usa.net]
Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2002 9:28 AM
To: Jon A.; alpines@autox.team.net; hillman@can-inc.com;
humber@smartgroups.com
Subject: Re: [Humber for sale]
Nice idea Jon, let's see.... you'll want... Hillman, Singer, Sunbeam,
Humber,
Commer, Karrier(?) and maybe a Plymouth Cricket, Dodge 1800, VW 1500, Paykan
and Isuzu. Then, do you consider Sunbeam, Sunbeam Talbot and Talbot
seperate
makes?
Jan Eyerman
"Jon A." <humbersnipe@cox.net> wrote:
Hello, fellow Rootes-philes,
I've had a goal for my collection of cars for some time - I want one
vehicle from each marque in the Rootes Group. With my current collection, I
have too many multiples, and it's time for me to work in earnest to get my
final 6.
I have 2 Humbers; a 1961 Series III saloon, and a 1966 Series V
estate. I like both cars, but I have a bit of a soft spot for the estate, so
I'll be selling my saloon. It's Embassy Black with red leather, Reutter
reclining front seats, automatic, power steering. For those in the UK, it
was delivered there new, and shipped over a year later, making it suitable
for duty-free re-import, if I'm not mistaken. (I have a photocopy of the
original registration papers.)
Anyone who attended the Sunbeam Invasion last summer in Ohio, the
car was there, and happily made a round trip of about 700 miles. Brakes are
good, tires are wide whitewalls only a couple years old. The trans has been
rebuilt, not that it needed it, but because the shop that worked on it
didn't know how to adjust the linkages. (long story)
It's not without it's flaws, it's not a "restored" car, but it's a
respectable, driveable car.
Anyone who's interested can email for more info and photos. I'm
asking US$3000.00.
Jon Arzt
Omaha, NE USA
"Rootes Group Refuge"
1957 Hillman Minx (needs a new home - rather rusty)
1958 Hillman Minx convertible
1961 Humber Super Snipe (looking for a new home)
1966 Humber Super Snipe estate
1966 Sunbeam Alpine
1967 Sunbeam Funwagon (may wind up looking for a new home)
1974 Commer AutoSleeper
Future list:
Karrier Bantam
Singer Chamois (preferably a Coupe)
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