Cardiff City’s Bluebird

Three Hillman Hunters participated in the The 1970 London to Mexico World Cup Rally, but only this car made it to the finish line in Mexico City.

From: ffwtbol.co.uk
Wales didn’t reach Mexico ’70 World Cup Tournament. They failed to qualify from a group containing Italy and East Germny. But this didn’t stop three Welshmen representing Wales at the event, in Cardiff City’s Bluebird car.

Alan Rees from Carmarthen, Hywel Thomas of Neath and Washington James from Newcastle Emlyn drove to the Aztec Stadium, Mexico City in a modified Hillman Hunter, which was decorated with Cardiff City’s badge on its bonnet.

They were taking part in the “World Cup Rally”, a 39-day endurance race organised by the Daily Mirror which would take them across the coffee plantations of Brazil, the dirt roads of Argentinian pampas, over the Andes, through the ancient Inca roads and into Ecuador.

You can read more about this rally in my previous posts.

Count The Paykans#16

Every year Nowruz vacationers are faced with traffic jams in Iran, mostly in the northern roads leading to the Caspian Sea. Photo by: Maryam Zakerhamidi

Ladybird

From Ladybird book of Motor Cars 1973. Here are more facts about the ubiquitous Hunter range: Hillman Hunter De Luxe replaced the "Minx"name after a period of over thirty years, and carried the 1469cc engine. The other models had the 1725cc engine, and they were called Super, Grand Luxe and GT. That should shed a bit more light on this fine Art of "Rootes Badge Engineering"! ;@

Paykan Lowrider#30

Happy Singer

Now that is a nice looking Singer! Photo By: Albert S. Bite

ATV

All Terrain Vehicle (ATV)

Photos by: Fardid khadem from Aksbazi.com

Hallo!

From the German brochure for the Sunbeam Sceptre (exported version of Humber Sceptre).

Goddess

Some say that Citroen DS is the most beautiful car ever! This one should feel very special for being featured here in this Blog! ;)

Grassington, Yorkshire

I can see a blue Humber Sceptre there! Postcard from this Cobbled Square.

Among The Sheep

Photo by Farhad Bahram from: Aksbazi.com

Porirua Hunter

From 1971 to 1974, the New Zealand Avengers were built at the Todd Plant at Petone, Wellington. Production moved to the newly built Todd Park Car Assembly Plant (above picture) between 1974 and 1981 in Porirua, Wellington. Using CKD parts from the UK. Alongside the Avenger on the same production line were various Rootes/Chrysler UK products (Hunter, Imp, Alpine), 1970s Mirage, Sigma and Lancer from Chrysler’s Japanese partner Mitsubishi.

Source: rootes-chrysler.co.uk

Dragstrip

Ready, Set, GO!!!!.... Another photo from: damonlynch

Matador's Sceptre

This LHD 1970 Humber Sceptre has surfaced in Madrid from all places!!... It could possibly be the only example of its kind in Spain. Found it here: yclasicos

Dusty Pals

From: Life Goes On In Tehran

Show Me

...some legs! ;)

Golden Egg

I believe the above “Gold Paykan” was made as a special winning prize for a popular lottery back in either late 60s or early 70s. I wonder if that car still exist somewhere in Iran.

Gregory's

Wing It

Who said you can't improve on the Paykan Pick-up? ;) You might want check this out also.

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".

Kebab Aftermath!

Too much Kebab can have bad consequences, just look at his stomach! ;@ Taken from Iran Before the Chador.
Special Thanks to Amina (The Queen) for forwarding the link.

Le Silencieux

From the 1973 movie Le Silencieux

Count The Paykans#15

Toddlers

What an amazing Photo!!!... I can't stop drooling over these virgin Hunters! ;@ & can't believe Rootes went to the extend of wrapping those chrome bumpers back then! they must have been so worried about rust from the get-go!

This brilliant photo was spotted at: roadtransport.com

5 O'clock Shadow

From: rocktravels

Southport, Sefton

Lovely postcard from the 70s Southport. England in the seventies was going through some major economical turmoils, you don't get that impression from this card though. Another lovely image from: Spottedlaurel

Paykan Overload#12

Photo By: lespassengers

Howes of Norwich

Howes & Sons Ltd. dealership in Norwich. Photo from: Spottedlaurel

Count The Paykans#14

Photo by: NikAt

Sea Monster!

OMG! They are popping up everywhere! ;@ Pictures taken by Jason Brown in May 2008. This Humber was 25 metres down! in an inland scuba diving centre called Vobster Quay in Somerset.

From rootes1725cc.info special thanks to Reza again!

Happy Nowruz

Happy Nowruz everybody!

Ryton-on-Dunsmore

Fantastic captures from the Ryton-on-Dunsmore Rootes Factory at Coventry. Photos are from uniquecarsandparts.com.au special thanks to my friend Reza for the link.