Hiya Rootes fans,
Haven't been posting much lately, been a little busy working on a
non-Rootesmobile, a 1964 Chevrolet car hauler. Still looks like a shed, but
runs well now.
It's maiden voyage was last weekend, and it passed with flying colors.
Of course, that trip had to involve something Rootes. I've purchased some more
cars, and since I haven't checked with the fellow yet, I'll leave him nameless
out of courtesy. But the new additions are:
1967 Sunbeam Arrow estate (Hillman Hunter) - a very early car, B081000803
1969 Sunbeam Alpine GT
1962 Humber Super Snipe Series III saloon
I've made arrangements to sell my 1961 Humber saloon, and hopefully will
complete that sale before the end of the year. That will put me with 2 Humbers
again, so I have to do a little thinking on my collection. I've been aiming
for one vehicle from each of the 6 marques in the Rootes Group, with as broad
a range of bodystyles as possible. The fleet now consists of:
1958 Hillman Minx convertible
1962 Humber Super Snipe saloon
1966 Humber Super Snipe estate
1966 Sunbeam Alpine Ser V
1967 Sunbeam Arrow Estate
1967 Sunbeam Funwagon (Commer Highwayman)
1969 Sunbeam Alpine GT coupe
1974 Commer Autosleeper
That gives me a 4-seat convertible, a 2-seat convertible, a saloon, a 2 door
coupe, but 2 estates, and 2 campers. It also leaves 2 marque gaps - Singer and
Karrier. I've found a Karrier, it's just a question of getting the fellow to
sell. But a Rootes era Singer is a bit more difficult. I had thoughts about
"badge engineering" one out of the Arrow - rebadging it as a Singer Gazelle,
as was available in the UK. I'd need to source some badges and trim bits, but
I think it could be done.
I might sell my '66 Humber estate, as much as I like it, since it's now a
second Humber as well as a second estate. I also have to give the '74 Commer a
thorough going over once I get it here to Nebraska. I have to decide if I'll
restore it, and sell the Sunbeam Funwagon; or part it out to support the
Funwagon restoration.
Give me your input, folks - maybe you have other suggestions. Other than the
obvious one about me being looney. I've heard that one before. Many times,
come to think of it.
However all this goes, it looks like I'll have lots of use for the car hauler
in the next few months, as 3 of the above vehicles are anywhere from 150 to
1100 miles away. Guess the next thing I better fix on the car hauler is the
heater - I think I'm gonna need it!
Jon Arzt
Omaha, NE USA
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