Editing Rootes Arrow (section)

==Models and market positions==
As Rootes looked to rationalise the number of platforms and the total engineering cost of their vehicle line-up during the 1960s, they kept alive the many names of the companies they had purchased to maintain [[product differentiation]] in the market place. As such, the Arrow was simultaneously aimed at several slightly different market segments, using a range of brand and model names during the car's 13-year production run.

===Hillman===
{{Multiple image | align = right | direction = vertical | width = 220
| image1 = Hillman Minx Arrow type near Biggleswade.JPG
| caption1 = 1970 Hillman Minx
| image2 = 1968 Hillman Minx Estate 1.5 Front.jpg
| image3 = 1968 Hillman Minx Estate 1.5 Rear.jpg
| caption3 = 1968 Hillman Minx Estate
| image4 = Hillman GT (1969) - 53263445809.jpg
| caption4 = 1969 Hillman GT
| image5 = Hillman Hunter London to Sydney Rally Winner (2) (21310731842).jpg
| caption5 = The Hillman Hunter which [[Andrew Cowan]] drove to victory in the [[1968 London-Sydney Marathon]]
}}
The first models, launched on the domestic market in October 1966 with a 1725 cc engine, were given the Hillman Hunter name with the respected name Hillman Minx (for the cheaper 1496 cc version), following in January 1967.<ref name=Autocar1968>{{cite magazine| title =Rootes Review: The range reviewed|magazine=[[Autocar (magazine)|Autocar]] | volume = 129 (nbr 3798)|page=65 |date = 28 November 1968}}</ref>   Hillman would remain the British group's most prolific marque. The Hunter model name was not in fact entirely new for a Rootes-related car, having been used for one year's production of the [[Singer SM1500]].

Sports models included the Hillman GT, which was based on the Minx trim, but was a model in its own right (not a "Hillman Minx GT" nor "Hillman Hunter GT"). It featured a twin Zenith Stromberg CD150 carburettor version of the 1725 engine developing {{cvt|94|bhp|kW}} and [[Rostyle wheel|Ro-Style]] wheels. in 1972 came the Hillman Hunter GLS with a specially tuned twin-Weber-[[carburettor]] engine (by Holbay) shared with the Sunbeam Rapier H120 model, as well as close-ratio gearbox and quad headlights.

The estate version, announced in April 1967,<ref name=Autocar196704>{{cite magazine| title =New! Hillman Hunter and Singer Vogue Estate Cars|magazine=[[Autocar (magazine)|Autocar]] | volume = 126 (nbr 3714)| pages =20–21 |date = 20 April 1967}}</ref> was originally launched as the "Hillman Estate Car" without either Hunter or Minx badging. It came with a one-piece tailgate which was much cheaper to produce than the horizontally split two piece tailgate featured on the [[Hillman Super Minx|car it replaced]], but the change nevertheless drew some unfavourable press comment.<ref name=Autocar196908>{{cite magazine| title =Autocar Road Test: Hillman Estate Car|magazine=[[Autocar (magazine)|Autocar]] | volume = 127 (nbr 3732)| pages =17–21 |date = 24 August 1968}}</ref>

The car's image was boosted when a Hunter driven by [[Andrew Cowan]] won the [[1968 London-Sydney Marathon]].

The range was soon simplified with trim levels and varying engine specifications: the Hillman Hunter DeLuxe or DL replaced the Minx and retained the Minx 1496&nbsp;cc engine; the 1725&nbsp;cc engine with an iron cylinder head being an option on these entry-level models. Above that were the Hunter Super and Hunter GL, both with the higher specification alloy headed engine and two different trim levels. The twin carburettor engined "Hillman Hunter GT" eventually replaced the Hillman GT, and the Holbay-engined GLS was positioned at the top of the range.

For the 1975 Motor Show, a limited edition Hillman Hunter Topaz was produced. This was largely based on the Hunter Super and equipped with overdrive, radio, vinyl roof, Rostyle wheels and a special half cloth upholstery as standard. This car was only available in a unique metallic bronze paint finish. The price was less than that of the standard Hunter Super when fitted with the optional overdrive. A Hillman Break de Chasse was sold in French-speaking markets, based on the Minx specification. (Also offered was a similar Sunbeam Break de Chasse; "break" being a French term for an estate, and the phrase ''break de chasse'' translating roughly as [[shooting-brake]].)

===Singer===
[[File:1969 Singer Vogue 1725 CC (18775219902).jpg|thumb|right|1969 Singer Vogue]]
The Singer Vogue and Singer Gazelle were positioned slightly upmarket of the Hillman Hunter and the Minx respectively. Nevertheless, the need to compete on price was evidenced with the announcement of the Singer Vogue estate car. The Vogue saloon was fitted with an [[alternator]], but the Vogue estate, announced in April 1967, was fitted with a [[dynamo]]; the manufacturers explained that the change was made to help keep the model's recommended UK-market selling price below £1,000.<ref name=Autocar196704/>

The Singers were short-lived models, retired early in 1970 along with the rest of the Singer range.<ref name=Motor197003>{{cite magazine| title = News: Rootes silence the Singer|magazine=[[The Motor (magazine)|Motor]]| volume = nbr 3534|page=59 |date = 14 March 1970}}</ref> Briefly following the retirement of the Singer brand, and throughout the model life for principal export markets, the Singer Vogue was badged as a Sunbeam.

===Sunbeam===
[[File:Sunbeam Vogue License plate ca 1969.jpg|thumb|right|Circa 1969 Sunbeam Vogue]]
[[File:sunbeam.rapier.arp.jpg|thumb|right|1974 Sunbeam Rapier fastback coupé in "Grasshopper" green]]
The single-carburettor [[Sunbeam Alpine#Alpine "Fastback"|Sunbeam Alpine]] and twin-carburettor [[Sunbeam Rapier#Sunbeam Rapier Fastback coupé|Sunbeam Rapier]] were only sold as fastback coupés, and were marketed with a strong sporting image&nbsp;– although it was eventually the Hillman Hunter which was used in long-distance rallying. The sportiest Sunbeam was the Rapier H120 model, though this shared its specially tuned Holbay engine with the Hillman Hunter GLS.

Sunbeam Arrow, Sunbeam Break de Chasse, Sunbeam Hunter, Sunbeam Minx, Sunbeam Sceptre and Sunbeam Vogue were used for export markets where the Sunbeam name was more familiar or deemed more likely to succeed. The Sunbeam Arrow name was used in North America. Sunbeam Break de Chasse, Hunter, Vogue and Minx were offered in some French-speaking markets (where "break" is a term for an estate).

A Sunbeam Sceptre appeared in France<ref name="salon68">{{Cite journal | year = 1968 | title = Catalogue Salon de l'Auto 68 | issue = 16 | page = 106 | publisher = Europe Auto | location = Paris | language = fr }}</ref> and some German-speaking markets (at least), and carried the Humber Sceptre level of specification, as described below. The Sunbeam Vogue was also available in the home (British) market for a short period after the Singer marque was retired in 1970.
[[File:1970 Sunbeam Arrow (862025936).jpg|thumb|left|The Sunbeam Arrow name was used in North American markets]]

===Humber===
{{Main|: Humber Sceptre}}
[[File:1975.humber.sceptre.arp.jpg|thumb|right|1975 Humber Sceptre]]
The Humber Sceptre traded on Humber's tradition of building luxury cars and was the best-appointed version. It was marketed as a Sunbeam Sceptre in some markets.

The manual-gearbox model featured either the D-type or the later J-type Laycock De Normanville [[Overdrive (mechanics)|overdrive]], with the J-type fitted from chassis numbers L3 onwards starting in July 1972.<ref>Chrysler UK Hunter Range (1972 onwards) parts list number 76601711</ref> As with all Arrows, an automatic gearbox was an option. A closer ratio G-type gearbox was fitted to later Sceptres, using the J-type overdrive.

An estate version of the Humber Sceptre was introduced at the [[London Motor Show]] in October 1974.<ref name=DailyExpressMotorShowReviewOct1974re1975>{{cite journal|title =Daily Express Motor Show Review 1975 Cars |page=23 (Humber Sceptre Estate)|date=October 1974}}</ref>  It featured a built-in roof rack and a carpeted loading floor protected by metal strips and illuminated by an additional interior light.   Washer and wiper were provided for the rear window, a rare feature on UK-market estate cars of the time.

===Chrysler Hunter===
[[File:1979 Chrysler Hunter (6924828701).jpg|thumb|1979 Chrysler Hunter Saloon]]
The Hillman Hunter was rebranded as the Chrysler Hunter for the UK market in September 1976, receiving at the same time a four headlight frontal treatment similar to that of the Hunter GLS model and the Humber Sceptre.<ref name=Autocar197709>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Autocar (magazine)|Autocar]] |title = News: Hunters get new look|page=17| date = 17 September 1977}}</ref>   In order to try to prolong the model life an improved level of equipment included a central console and a voltmeter.<ref name=Autocar197709/>   The Super version also featured an aluminium-head engine and viscous fan coupling along with reclining seats, a vinyl-covered roof and "simulated wood treatment" for the facia and door sills.<ref name=Autocar197709/>   By this time, however, Chrysler UK dealers had been selling the French-built [[Chrysler Alpine]] for more than two years: more than ten years after the launch of the original Hillman Hunter, the Chrysler Hunter was self-evidently a run-out model, and relatively few were produced.<ref name=Autocar197709/> According to [[How Many Left]], only 7 remain in the UK with only 1 still on the road. The European operations of Chrysler were sold to [[Peugeot]] just before the end of Hunter production in 1979, although the Chrysler branding was briefly retained, with the [[Talbot (automobile)|Talbot]] marque being introduced across Europe from 1 August 1979.

It was effectively replaced by the [[Talbot Solara]] – a four-door saloon version of the Alpine hatchback – which was launched in April 1980.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rootes-chrysler.co.uk/car-development/dev-alpine.html|title=Development of the Chrysler - Talbot Alpine cars|access-date=12 April 2017}}</ref>