Editing Rootes Arrow (section)

==Development==
The Arrow range was conceived in 1962. Following the [[Hillman Imp]], consideration was given to developing a larger [[Rear-engine, rear-wheel drive layout|rear-engined car]], but this concept was dismissed, and the engineering settled on for the new car was more conventional and closer to the layout of the existing [[Hillman Minx|Audax]] series (which included the previous Hillman Minx).

With cash-strapped Rootes struggling amid continuing engine cooling problems with the Imp, which often resulted in warped cylinder heads,<ref name=HImpperAutoExp05Nov2018>{{cite web|title=Hillman Imp: Buying guide and review (1963-1975)|work=A full buyer's guide for the Hillman Imp (1963-1975) including specs, common problems and model history...|date=5 November 2018|url=https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/classic-cars/104965/hillman-imp-buying-guide-and-review-1963-1975
|publisher=[[Dennis Publishing]] ([[Auto Express]]), London|access-date=17 July 2020}}</ref> the cautious Arrow broke little new engineering ground. New parts were largely based on tried and tested Rootes components, using a new but strong 5-bearing version of the well-proven 1725&nbsp;cc overhead valve [[petrol engine]] as a starting point which varied in output from {{convert|66|to|88|bhp|kW|0|abbr=on}} (in the Humber Sceptre<ref>88bhp(net) per Autocar, September 1967; 82bhp(DIN) / 92bhp(Gross) per Autocar, December 1974</ref>). The engine was inclined by a modest 15 degrees, to allow for a lower bonnet line and to enable packaging of the carburettors. This engine was further uprated by specialists Holbay, employing two [[Weber carburettor|Weber]] 40DCOE carburettors to produce {{convert|107|bhp|kW|0|abbr=on}} for the Sunbeam Rapier H120 and Hillman Hunter GLS. A smaller 1500&nbsp;cc engine was the standard for manual versions of the Hillman Minx and the Singer Gazelle, and the Hillman Hunter DeLuxe model which succeeded the Minx. Automatic models were all powered by the 1725&nbsp;cc engine. Particular attention was paid to weight and cost to bring the vehicle in line with its natural competitors, including the Mark 2 Ford Cortina.

For the first time in a Rootes car [[MacPherson strut]] suspension featured at the front, with a conventional [[live axle]] mounted on [[leaf spring]]s at the rear. Other firsts for Rootes in the new car were curved side glass and flow-through ventilation.

Manual transmissions were available in four-speed form with an optional Laycock de Normanville [[Overdrive (Transmission)|overdrive]], or [[Borg-Warner]] automatic transmission, again as an option. Initially, the Borg Warner Type 35 3-speed automatic was offered, then the Type 45 four-speed automatic became available in 1973.

The handbrake was situated between the driver's seat and door (i.e. on the driver's right-hand side for a [[Left- and right-hand traffic|right-hand drive]] car) rather than between the front seats. This followed the practice established with the 'Audax' cars.

The first Arrow model to be launched, the Hillman Hunter, was presented as a replacement for the [[Hillman Super Minx]]. The Hunter was lighter than its predecessor and the wheel-base of the new car was actually {{convert|2+1/2|in|cm}} shorter than that of the old, but the length of the passenger cabin was nonetheless increased by moving the engine and the toe-board forwards.<ref name=Autocar196610>{{cite magazine |title=New! Hillman Hunter |magazine=[[Autocar (magazine)|Autocar]] |volume=152 |issue=3686 |pages=716–9|date=7 October 1966}}</ref>

For the first two years there were few changes. However, in May 1968 power assisted brakes were made available as a factory fitted option.<ref name=Autocar196805>{{cite magazine |title=News and Views: Power brakes for Rootes cars |magazine=[[Autocar (magazine)|Autocar]] |volume=128 |issue=3772 |page=29 |date=30 May 1968}}</ref> Hitherto this possibility had been offered only as a kit for retro-fitting: it was stated that the factory fitted servo-assistance, at a domestic market price slightly below £13, would be cheaper for customers.<ref name=Autocar196805/>

A mild facelift in 1970 gave new grilles to the various Hunter trim levels, and some derivatives gained a (then) more fashionable dashboard, exchanging wood for plastic, but the car remained fundamentally the same throughout its life.

A more detailed facelift for 1972 brought a new all-plastic dashboard with deeply hooded round dials (earlier versions had either a strip speedometer or round dials in a flat dashboard for more expensive models like the Vogue), new steering wheel, plastic instead of metal air cleaner, reshaped squarer headlamps in a new grille and some engine tuning changes.

For 1975, bumpers were enlarged and the tail lights were enclosed in a full-width anodised aluminium trim piece.

Following the 1967 acquisition of Rootes by [[Chrysler]], the Arrow derivatives were rationalised until only the Hillman Hunter version was left by 1976. From September 1977 it was re-badged as a Chrysler, which it was to be for the remaining 2 years of its life. Hunter production was switched in 1969 to Rootes' troubled Imp plant in [[Linwood, Renfrewshire|Linwood]], from its original home of [[Ryton-on-Dunsmore|Ryton]].

Sales were lower after 1975 following the launch of the [[Chrysler Alpine]], a similar sized car but with front-wheel drive and a hatchback bodystyle, at a time when rear-wheel drive saloons still dominated in this sector.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.simcatalbotclub.org/calpine.htm|title=Chrysler Alpine and SIMCA 1307/1308|access-date=12 April 2017|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304032434/http://www.simcatalbotclub.org/calpine.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Following the [[Hillman Avenger]]'s move to Linwood in 1976, the very last European Hunters were assembled in the Santry plant, Shanowen Road, [[Ireland]] from "[[complete knock down]]" (CKD) kits until production ended in 1979 – but no evidence exists to suggest that the Talbot badge was applied to any production Hunter following Chrysler Europe's 1978 takeover by [[Peugeot]], and the application of that badge to other Chrysler models sold on or after 1 August 1979.<ref>{{cite web|title=The world car that wasn't|website=rootes-chrysler.co.uk|url=http://www.rootes-chrysler.co.uk/car-development/dev-horizon.html}}</ref>

The final Chrysler Hunter was built in September 1979 in [[Porirua]], New Zealand, and was donated to the [[Southward Car Museum|Southward Museum]]. In 2000 the Museum sold the car to a private collector.