Motorsport and Vintage Vehicles »

The Little Hunter That Wouldn't Go

"Let's go for a drive in a classic British car from the 1970's", he said, "It'll be fun." Foolishly I agreed, and it was at that point that the day started to unravel... The 1975 Hillman Hunter certainly was a classic, but the result of the day out definitely wasn't. Maybe in a year's time we'll laugh about it, but not yet...


The Hillman Hunter was a British-made family car produced by the Rootes Group in the United Kingdom between 1966 and 1979.  Photo: © Historical Aviation Film Unit

The Hunter was designed to be an affordable, reliable and practical family car that would appeal to a broad range of consumers. The car was built in several different variants, including a four-door saloon, estate, and two-door coupe, and the 1975 model was a mid-cycle refresh of the type which introduced several new features that improved its performance, comfort and safety.

One of the key changes made in 1975 was the introduction of a new 1725cc engine that was capable of producing 91 horsepower. This new engine was more powerful and fuel-efficient than the previous model, and it allowed the Hunter to achieve a top speed of 102 mph. The new engine was also more reliable and required less maintenance than the previous model, making it a more attractive option for buyers who were looking for a low-maintenance family car.

Another significant improvement was the introduction of a new front suspension system which used torsion bars instead of the previous leaf spring setup. This provided a smoother and more comfortable ride for passengers and it also improved the Hunter's handling and cornering ability, making it a more agile and responsive car to drive.

In addition to these performance improvements, the 1975 Hillman Hunter also received several safety upgrades. The new model featured improved brakes that provided better stopping power, and it also had a stronger body structure that provided better protection in the event of a collision. Larger windows and better mirrors improved visibility which made it easier for drivers to see other vehicles on the road.

Well, to be fair, the Hunter did go to start with... To see what happened, check out the first episode in our new series "Let's Drive It", on Historical Machines TV, and for a limited time you can watch the whole episode for free -- click on this link below to visit HMTV at: historicalmachines.tv/zen/lets-drive-it-01-hillman-hunter-011fd9-1

Overall, the 1975 Hillman Hunter was a significant improvement over its predecessor, offering better performance, comfort and safety features. Its combination of affordability, reliability and practicality made it a popular choice among families and budget-conscious buyers, and it remained a popular car throughout its production run. The Hunter remains a beloved classic car that's still appreciated by car enthusiasts around the world.

Watch the full length story on HMTV at: historicalmachines.tv/zen/lets-drive-it-01-hillman-hunter-011fd9-1


Share This Story :

More Stories and Video Clips:

There's More Exclusive Content On Historical Machines TV

HMTV is our advert-free streaming video channel which features an awesome array of video and long form documentary material which is not available elsewhere. Sign up for a free trial and enjoy the significant and varied range of material we have on offer...

HMTV Free Trial  

Please consider subscribing to HMTV, or buy us a drink to support our historical (story and film) preservation endeavours.

Comment Form is loading comments...