Masked Hunter

Starting from the top:
- 1966-76 Humber/Sunbeam Sceptre also very similar to Hunter GLS, and Paykan Javanan
- 1975-79 Hunter MK4/Sunbeam Hunter/Chrysler Hunter and Paykan
- 1966-70 Hillman Minx/Hunter, Sunbeam Minx/Hunter, and also Paykan Pick-up
- 1966-70 Singer/Sunbeam Vogue or Singer/Sunbeam Gazelle, and early model year Paykan

Missing in this picture is GLS, Hunter MK2 & MK3, and couple of Australian marks. So... your head is spinning by now, isn't it? Believe me, I'm still learning Rootes's Arrow body marketing schemes too, I'm thinking I can submit a PHD thesis on this. ;)

Photo is from Reza Amanatchi impressive collection.

Flammable Area

I would give my left arm to be transported back in time to this place! ;) This has to be Ryton Assembly Plant in Coventry  since Arrow production moved to Linwood, Scotland in 1969, this photo I believe was taken in 1967.
Lets start from front: The left-hand-drive red Sunbeam I believe is a Sunbeam Hunter which was for the European market (it could also be a Sunbeam Arrow which was for the North American market, but I doubt it). Behind it are bunch of right-hand-drive models, this is very interesting, they were building LHD & RHD models on the same line. In the background there is a brownish Humber Sceptre, and bunch of Wagons. Oh boy this place was on fire! ;)

Our Savior in Oregon

As some of you might remember last year I was desperately trying to save this 1968 Sunbeam Arrow from being sent to the crusher!... I am so pleased to announce that the Sunbeam is safe & sound! Rick the new owner contacted me last fall and in late November I managed to make it out there to check it out for myself. I couldn't believe my eyes when we pulled in the driveway; next to the Arrow was a Sunbeam Alpine, a couple of XJs a Citroen ID an Opel Rallye a Fiat 850 Berlina in Abarth trim and some other Mopar goodies were laying around for good measures!... I knew then that the Arrow was in Good Hands! :)

While I was trying to collect my jaw from the floor Rick gave me a key and said "Fire It Up!"... I was floored!!!! I couldn't believe that he got the engine running!... He had rebuilt the carburetor, got a new thermostat housing put in... and she fired up after my 2nd attempt!... I kept asking him how this could be possible? the car had sat outdoors for 20+ years?!!! He even had it out for a little spin a week before and thought that transmission was in good order, we weren't going to try that though because the brakes were shot.

We had a long nice chat about all things Arrows, I said my farewells and left with a big smile on my face; another Arrow has been saved and I can't think of a nicer person than Rick to do the restoration job! ;)

Arrows In The Woods

A pair of Sunbeam Arrows, found in Vancouver area by brothers Khashayar and Ashkan. They have bought the pair and shipped one of them to Toronto already, they are in the process of restoring these two neglected Sunbeams.

I want thank Khashayar & Ashkan here for being such an enthusiasts! As a matter of fact they have another Sunbeam Arrow in Toronto, and I will post photos of that one soon!

This brings the total number of Sunbeam Arrows, that I know of in Canada to five. Including this one here.

An Arrow in the Prairies

I Can't Believe This!!!! Another Sunbeam Arrow has surfaced up!!! This one belongs to Jonathan from Omaha, NE. It is a 1967 model, and he has owned it for about 5 years now. Originally was sold in California, then made it's way down to Texas and then Kansas. Jonathan discovered Rootes cars 30 years ago with his Alpine. He owns a Super Snipe, along with a Sunbeam Alpine and a Sunbeam Funwagon, a very rare US market Commer caravan.

Jonathan is restoring the Arrow, and I want thank him here for contacting me! I wish him Best of Luck, and I will post more updates in the future as they become available!

Storstrøm Sunbeam

This is a Sunbeam Hunter by Storstrøm Bridge in Denmark. Sunbeam name was used by Rootes for the Arrow Series exporting markets only.

Photo is by the owner: carstenrydzy

Dutch Gazelle

Amazing photo from the incredible archive of Michiel V taken in Zwolle, Netherlands 1972.

I had to consult with my ArrowHead experts on this one. It looks like that the door badge reads Gazelle (68+ Gazelle new style script), which makes this a Sunbeam Gazelle. I was under impression that "Gazelle" was only sold under Singer brand, I don't have any material to support this "Sunbeam Gazelle" phenomenal, but I am sure we will get to the bottom of it somehow. Just remember that in the wonderful world of Arrow series you find something new everyday! ;)

Special Thank to Michiel V for uploading all those amazing photos.

Sunbeam Arrow In Canada

Another Automatic Sunbeam Arrow spotted in California.

Correction: it appears that this car actually located in BC, not Caly.

Hunter-Gatherer In San Francisco

I CAN NOT BEGIN to tell you how SURPRISED I was when got an email with these pictures from Phil!... He had stumbled into www.PaykanHunter.com and wanted to tell me about his Sunbeam Arrow Wagon!...

Phil lives in San Fransisco bay area, and currently is restoring a 1967 Sunbeam Arrow wagon. This is his second Arrow Wagon, unfortunately he had to scrap the first one. According to Phil's research there were only 169 wagon version were sold in North America, including Canada. This makes the car an extremely rare example in the US.

This Arrow needed a major surgery to the A-pillars (Front Pillars), floors, and rocker panels. Phil had to make all the repairs himself. He believes that Hunters are tough as nails, and not terrible to drive, and plans on using his Wagon for rallying and camping.

I want to thank Phil once again for getting in touch with me, and wish him the best of Luck in finishing up the Arrow restoration!...

Arrow Replica

This is a Sunbeam Arrow replica, if you believe it or not. The car originally was a Hillman Minx, the owner has even gone to the extent of convering it from RHD to LHD, Amazing really! It is the only Sunbeam Arrow in the UK.

Special thanks to Albert S. Bite for the information. Additional photos by: payman777

Unbridled Sunbeam

My dear friend Phil has recently moved from San Francisco to Kentucky. Here is a recent picture from his Sunbeam Arrow in its new habitat. The car looks great Phil! Love those Rostyles! Wish you luck in finishing it up, and hope you get it on the road soon!

Sunbeam Vogue

You learn something new every day on this Grand subject of Rootes badge-engineering! So here is the latest development: It turned out that in 1970 only, they sold them as Sunbeams in UK also. Rootes discontinued the Singer name that year, so they badged the over-stock Singer Vogues as “Sunbeam Vogue”. Thanks to our resident expert Reza for his help.

Photo by: rsturbo102255

Sunbeam Arrow In Toronto, Canada

This is an Automatic Sunbeam Arrow, the exported version of Hillman Hunter for North American market, it is currently owned by an Iranian in Toronto, Canada. Notice that he has already replaced the badges with the Iran Khodro's logo.

Sunny Sunbeam

Another one of those rare 1970 Sunbeam Vogue!...
Photos by: Taxi nerd

Paykan Wannabe

As I promised before here is brothers Khashayar & Ashkan third Sunbeam Arrow. This "Paykan Wannabe" as I like to call it, is located in Toronto. The guys are definitely cruising around with style aren't they? ;)

This car was originally a US imported Arrow, and it had gone through major restoration in Georgia. I want thank Khashayar & Ashkan for taking good care of this car now, and for being such devoted Paykan enthusiasts!

Update: Lack of round headlamps and other details related to Sunbeam Arrows is casting a shadow over the origin of this car.

Green Grass

Photo and this Excellent write up is from: philipj.simpson

"The Humber Sceptre upheld Humber's tradition of building luxury cars and was the best-appointed version, with the exception of the similar Sunbeam-branded Sunbeam Sceptre sold in some markets. The manual gearbox model featured either the D-type or the later J-type Laycock De Normanville overdrive, with the J-type fitted from chassis numbers L3 onwards starting in July 1972. As with all Arrows, an automatic gearbox was an option. A closer ratio 'G' type gearbox was fitted to later Sceptres, this used the J-type overdrive. An estate version of the Humber Sceptre was introduced at the London Motor Show in October 1974. It featured a built-in roof rack and a carpeted loading floor protected with metal strips and illuminated by an additional interior light. Washer and wiper were provided for the rear window: at this time this was a rare feature on UK market estate cars".

The Elegant Arrows

The Rootes Arrow Series is being referred to by the name of its most prolific model, the Hillman Hunter. But Rootes Group launched the series with 4 Brands (Hillman, Singer, Humber & Sunbeam).

Starting from the entry models like the Hillman Minx & Singer Gazelle, then moving up-market to the Hillman Hunter & Singer Vogue, and then finally to the posh Humber Sceptre MKIII. Then they re-badge all of the above as Sunbeams for the export market, like the Sunbeam Arrow for the US.

…and then toward the later production years the Hillman Hunter was renamed as Chrysler Hunter (I know that your head is spinning by now but I’m almost done here bear with me...), so then you add Paykan and the Dodge Husky pickup (sold in South Africa only) to the list, the total comes to 7 different Brands! Now that is one remarkable Badge-Engineering achievement, isn’t it? ;)