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Rootes Heritage

Rootes Archive Centre - Catalogue.

A Catalogue of Rootes Car and Commercial Models.

Note: Over a period of time this list will be linked to the index of drawings and other artefacts in the Rootes Collection. The latter is however going to take some time.

Contributions: We have a collection of contributed photos on-line. If you want your car to be featured on these pages please send a digital photo (but not too big!) to Bob Allan (e-mail). Thanks to the many who have already contributed!

What is the Catalogue?

The Rootes Archive Centre contains information about the models of car and commercial vehicle produced by Rootes and their associated companies which are listed below. We will use this list to guide you through the contents of the Archive. Eventually a database and associated search facilities will be provided. If the archive contains no information on a particular model we will attempt to provide an alternative link.

We list only the companies which had a direct influence on the story of the Rootes Group. There may however be a few additions when they are of specific interest. Please let us know.

We are encouraging club members to send in original images of their cars or of any Rootes models - the rarer the better! See thumbnail images by clicking on this link. They should also appear randomly on the Web pages. The following photo is a mystery, it was sent us by Peter Cope in the hope that someone may be able to identify it: a prototype or amateur build? The registration mark FPD is from Surrey, mid-1937.

An extensive collection of books written on the subject of Rootes history is housed at the Archive Centre. These can be consulted for further information about the topics covered in this catalogue. Of course we also have all the technical drawings from around 1934 onwards, plus huge quantities of photographs and associated records, so its a big and growing collection. See archive page.

See also the catalogue of wartime vehicles.

Companies and Mergers

These cover the companies most strongly involved in the Rootes Group. If you know of others, or have more details to share, please contact Bob Allan.

Companies

Humber (1867-)
Thomas Humber first made Humber bicycles in Sheffield, and later in Beeston near Nottingham with plants at Wolverhampton and Coventry as the business grew. The first Humber car was made in 1898. Humber went on to be one of the more important car companies in the history of the British motor industry. The earliest models were built in Coventry and Beeston. The largest model was the Pullman, the only limousine in the range. Humbers were always luxury cars. Humber was acquired by Rootes in 1929-31 and as Humber Ltd. was their main manufacturing operation.

Coventry-Premier (1875-1923)
Originally made bicycles and claimed to be the world's largest cycle company adding motor cycles to its range in 1908. Their first 4-wheeled cycle cars were built in 1912 under the control of Singer. Coventry-Premier later made commercial vehicles. William Hillman was one of the original partners.

Singer (1876-1970)
Singer's origins were also in the cycle industry, starting in 1876 with business centred on the City of Coventry. They went on to manufacture high quality cars from 1904 which always had a good reputation and sporting image. Particularly recognised was the Singer Ten from 1912 onwards. There were a few commercial models from 1929-32. There were also some notable models competing in long-distance endurance races and rallies. William Rootes was an apprentice with Singer. Under Rootes' later control they had the very successful Gazelle, Vogue and Chamois series.

Sunbeam (1887-)
The Sunbeam cycle factory in Wolverhampton was started by John Marston. Sunbeam produced cars from 1901, during the earliest days of the industry. They were high quality and sporting models, influenced by Louis Coatelen of Hillman fame, including competition cars. Having briefly been involved in the loss making STD organisation, they became Sunbeam-Talbots when Rootes took over production in 1935.

Tilling-Stevens (1897-)
Tilling-Stevens were founded in Maidstone and made commercial vehicles. They acquired Karrier and Vulcan before joining Rootes.

Vulcan (1899-1953)
The first Vulcan was made by Joseph and Thomas Hampson, a production car was shown at the Liverpool Cycle Show in 1902. Vulcan was a small car making company based in Southport which was the largest in the N.W. of England at the time. For their size they made a surprising number of different models in a short time. They were also affordable. The Vulcan company did a large range of engineering tasks so cost could be kept to a minimum. From 1928 until the time they were taken over by Rootes they made commercial vehicles, despite being bankrupt in 1931.

W. and G. du Cros (1901-35)
William and George du Cros of Acton Vale produced ambulances and public service vehicles. They were agents for Panhard-Levassor cars among others and had 3,000 employees in 1914. The company was acquired by STD in 1920 and eventually disposed of by receivers in 1935 when STD joined the Rootes Group.

Clement-Talbot (1902-38)
The first cars built by Talbot under the crest of the Earl of Shrewsbury were actually Clements from France assembled in Britain. Fully British Talbot cars were built from 1906-38. Darracq acquired Clement-Talbot (London) in 1919 and then Sunbeam in 1920 to become STD. STD was finally acquired by Rootes in 1935 after becoming bankrupt, and the marque was phased out soon afterwards to be replaced by the name Sunbeam-Talbot from 1938.

Talbot-Lago (1935-59)
In 1935 the Suresnes factory of Darracq was bought by Major Anthony Lago who built a few models and some successful racing cars after 1945. Sales were eventually crippled by high taxes and his business was absorbed by Simca in 1959.

Commer (1903-)
Commercial Cars Ltd. of Biscot Road, Luton originally made commercial vehicles. Production moved to a new factory in Dunstable in 1954.

Karrier (1904-46)
Karrier Cars made by Clayton and Co. Ltd. of Huddersfield produced a diverse range of commercial vehicles from c.1907. Karrier Motors Limited was formed in 1920, moved to Luton when acquired by Rootes in 1934 and moved with Commer to Dunstable in 1954.

Hillman (1906-)
The Hillman Motor Car Company, founded by William Hillman (d. 1921), was a very well known British manufacturer (4th largest at the time), initially making bicycles and later quite large and sporting cars. The firm was later run by sons-in-law Black and Wilks. Hillman became the stock-in-trade of Rootes with the successful range of Minx models and variants, and of course later the Imp and Avenger.

Calcott (1913-26)
The Calcott family made roller skates and were also involved in the bicycle and motor cycle industry. A. Anderson joined them from Singer to design their first car in 1913. Calcott was later acquired by Singer as was Aster.

Dodge (1914-)
Dodge made production cars in the USA from 1914 and commercial vehicles and merged with Chrysler in 1928. Later models were introduced to the UK from the Chrysler range around 1969, but the Dodge brothers had interests here before that time. Several of the previous Commer models were "improved" and badged as Dodges.

Citroen (1925-)
Andre Citroen established a French company to mass produce cheap motor cars in 1919 and moved to the UK in 1925 establishing production facilities in Slough which built the famous DS model. Chrysler later became part of the Peugeot-Citroen Group.

Chrysler (1926-)
Chrysler was created in the USA from Maxwell and Chalmers in 1924 by Walter P. Chrysler, formerly of Buick. They established a UK factory near Kew Gardens in 1926. Some overseas Rootes models were badged as Plymouth, e.g. in Australia, which was a Chrysler model name. Chrysler acquired interests in the Rootes Group from 1964 onwards.

Simca (1935-81)
Built Fiat cars in France until 1951. They then acquired Unic and began to produce their own models until 1981.

Rootes Securities Ltd. (1939-45)
Shadow factory at Speke built Hadley Page Halifax and Blenheim bombers and transport aircraft for the war effort. Another shadow factory at Blythe Bridge built Blenheim and Beaufighter planes. During WWII Rootes built 1 in 7 of all bombers, 60% of all armoured cars and 35% of scout cars used by the British armed forces.

Dates of Company Formations and Mergers

The following are the closest dates we can find to the various mergers which took place between the companies which eventually became synonimous with Rootes and which gave their names to the various marques sold over the whole period.

1789 Thrupp and Maberly coach and carriage builders formed
1880s Rootes started a cycle shop in Hawkhurst, Kent
1907 the Rootes Motor Agency was formed
1920 (13th August) Sunbeam merged with Talbot and Darracq to form STD Motors under director Alexander Darracq
1921 Coventry-Premier with Singer
c.1920-5 Coventry-Repetition and Sparkbrook Manufacturing joined Singer
1925 Rootes Limited were formed
1925 Commercial Cars with Humber to become Commer
1926 the Calcott factory was acquired by Singer.
1926-7 Singer bought the BSA and Daimler armaments premises in Birmingham
1928 Hillman joined Humber
1929 Singer bought the Aster factory at Wembley
1929-31 Humber joined Rootes
1932 Tilling-Stevens (T.S.Motors) acquired Karrier
1934 Karrier joined Rootes via Humber and moved to Luton
1935 STD joined Rootes
1937 BLSP joined Rootes
c.1938-45 Vulcan joined Tilling-Stevens and the Southport factory was vacated
1948 Karrier-Sunbeam Trolley Bus operations sold to Guy Motors
1951 Tilling-Stevens joined Rootes. Production of TSM and Vulcan at the Maidstone plant was ceased in 1953 continuing only with Commer and Karrier
1951 Simca acquired Unic
1954 Simca acquired Ford France
1956 Singer joined Rootes
1958 Chrysler bought a minority stake in Simca
1959 Talbot-Lago absorbed by Simca
1963 Rootes "Scotland" was formed to manufacture the Imp following Government recommendations
1963 Chrysler gained a controlling interest in Simca
1964 Chrysler bought 30% interest in Rootes. Lord William Rootes of Ramsbury died on 12th December the same year.
1967-69 Rootes absorbed by Chrysler following the retirement of Reginald Rootes. Geoffrey Rootes remained as Chairman until 1992.
1970 Simca became known as Chrysler (France)
1978-9 Chrysler UK (1970) was sold to Peugeot-Citroen Group in 1979 with the UK operations taking the old Talbot name.
1981-7 Dodge UK name was finally replaced by Renault.

Car and Commercial Models

This catalogue is not definitive and does not list every model produced. It is a simplified version of the summaries provided in the books and Web sites listed in the references. The authors have done very thorough research for which all Rootes vehicle owners should be grateful. They provide a great deal of additional marque, model and historical information which is sure to be of interest. However, if you have corrections or additions to this catalogue please contact Bob Allan.

We note in particular that the names and notations used for commercial vehicles is only indicative. Each model was available in many versions - normal or forward control, petrol or diesel, truck, bus or coach chassis of different sizes and capacities, some as tractors only. Many were custom built for their final requirements, such as War Department vehicles, ambulances, fire engines, road sweepers, waste disposal vehicles, low loaders, etc. The references should be consulted for further details and examples.

For those interested in more information about the models produced during the Rootes period, the book Cars of the Rootes Group by Graham Robson is highly recommended and available from the Archive Centre Trust.

Calcott

Ten, 10.5, 10/15 (1913-7, 1919-25)
11.9, 12/24 and 13.8 (1920-6)
16/50 Light Six (1925-6)

Chrysler Europe cars.

180/ 2-litre (1970-80, 23,720 produced)

Chrysler Europe commercials. For more information about the later Chrysler and Dodge vehicles, including the current range see http://www.allpar.com.

KT900 (c.1970). Example 1: Norman McKenzie's Dodge KT900 with Perkins V8.510 engine, Rootes five speed synchromesh gearbox as fitted to Maxi-Commers and 2x Eaton two speed rear axles on a Hendrickson bogie.

Commer commercials. For more information about Rootes commercial vehicles see http://www.fleetdata.co.uk/rootes.html and http://www.commer.org.nz. Photos of Lord Lonsdale's 1915 Shooting Brake sent by Sam Cottingham: [PDF]. Jeroen's blog has a lot of photos of different Commer vehicles.

4 ton chassis with Lindley gearbox and iron tyred wheels (1905-)
SC 3 ton 4-cylinder (1907-8, 7 built)
HC 2-4 ton 4-cylinder (1908-28)
LC 30cwt 2-cylinder (1908)
MC light 2 ton (1909)
YC Barnet light 3 ton 4-cylinder (1909-14, 1919-20)
CC 4-1/2 ton fire appliance (1909)
KC 5 ton fire appliance (1909)
PC 6-1/2 ton double decker bus (1909)
BC 30cwt 4-cylinder live axle (1910)
BC Brackley 1 ton truck chassis (1913-4)
MC Braintree 2 ton (1913-4, 1919-20)
RC Bridgewater 3-1/2 ton (1913-27)
CC Leeds 4-1/2 to 5 ton (1912-4, 1919-27)
KC Luton 5-1/2 to 6 ton (1912-5, 1923-27)
PC Manchester 6 ton (1912-4)
WP1 36 seat coach (1913-4, 1919-20)
WP2 24 seat (1913-4)
WP3 16 seat (1913-4)
RC 4 ton chain driven (1915-18, some 3,000 made for Army use)
3P 30 seat live axle (1914, 1919-7)
2G 2 ton (1921-7)
3G 3 ton (1923, 1926)
2C 2 ton and 3C 3 ton live axle replaced YC and MC range (1920-, 400 built)
3P 60-70cwt chassis and 30/34 seat bus (1924-5, 1927)
47 seat DD (1925, 1927)
30cwt with Humber engine (1927-)
2P(MT) 20-30 seat with pneumatic tyres (1927)
3PC 3 ton live axle (1925, 1927)
2-1/2 GN 50cwt, 4GN 60cwt and 4GN 80cwt all with Thomas gearbox (1927-30)
N4 normal or F4 forward control 26-32 seat 4-wheel (1927-8)
N6 normal or F6 forward control 26-32 seat 6-wheel (1927-8)
3C 60cwt and 4C 80/90cwt with Hotchkiss drive (1925-7)
30GP 30cwt (1927-9)
40LG 2 ton LL (1927-8)
2-1/2 GA 50 cwt (1927-8)
2-1/2 GN (1928-)
4GN 80cwt (1928-)
4GF 80cwt (1928-)
5GN 100cwt (1928-30)
6P 120cwt (1929)
4PN 20 and 26 seat NC (1929)
4PF 32 seat FC (1929)
23GN 2 2/3 ton (1930)
G Series

G2 Corinthian 2 ton truck chassis with 6-cyl Humber Snipe engine (1930-3)
6TK Invader 20 seat with 6-cyl Humber Snipe engine (1930-3)
G3, G4, G5, G6: 3, 4, 5, 6-7 ton (1930-4)
GF3 3 ton, GF4 4 ton and GF5 5 ton FC (1931-2)
GL3 light 3 ton, GL4 4 ton and GL5 5 ton (1933-4)
GLF3 light FC 3 ton, GLF4 4 ton and GLF5 5 ton (1933-4)

NF6 Avenger 32 seat single or 50 seat double decker, new 6-cyl engine (1930-4)
Corinthian 24/26 seat coach (1932-3)
15cwt (1933-4)
Longframe 6 wheel (1933-4)
6/8 cwt (1934)
B Series

B2 2 ton Pug? (1934-9)
B3 3 ton or 20 seat passenger (1934-5)
B4 4 ton (1936)
B20 20-25cwt (1935)
B30 30cwt Raider (1932-5)
B40 40cwt Centaur and 20 seat coach (1932-5)
B50 50cwt Centurian and 20 seat coach (1933-5)
B60 (1933-5)

Greyhound 24-26 seat (1934-5)
15 cwt van (1935-9)
6-8cwt van (1935-9)
8cwt delivery van (1936-)
N and LN series (1935-39)

N1 25cwt N and FC, also War spec (1936-9)
N2 30-40cwt NC (1936-9)
N3 Wolf 3 ton N and FC (1936-9)
N4 26 seat passenger or 4 ton truck chassis N and FC (1936-7)
N5 5 ton N and FC (1936-9)
N6 26 seat and 6 ton 6-wheel
LN4 3-4 ton (1937-9)
LN5 4-5 ton (1938-9)
PN3 20 seat (1936, 1938-9)
PN4 Lynx 20 seat (1936)
PNF4 Leopard 24-26 seat (1936)
PLNF5 4-5 ton (1938-9)

15 cwt 4wd general service military spec. "Beetle" (c.1935)
Superpoise Q Series (1939-54, built at Luton) in 2-3 ton, 3-4 ton and 6-1/2 ton pre-war models.

Q2 2-3 ton (1939-41, 1946-48)
Q3 3-4 ton (1939-45, 1946-48)
Q4 4-5 ton (1939-45, 1946-48) Example 1: Commer Q4, Ministry of Supply, Archive Centre Luton Collection.
Q5 6-1/2 ton (1939-43, 1947)
Q15 15 cwt van (1939-49)
Q25 25 cwt van (1939-49)
Commando Q4 passenger coach (1946-48)
QX 2-3, 3-4, 3-5 ton models (1948-51)
QX 5-7 ton carriers and 10-12 tractors (1948-54). Example 1: nice photo of Sam Cottingham's Commer QX cattle truck

Commer-Hands 8 ton tractor (1945-)
new range with under-floor engine (1948-)
BD 3/4 ton Superpoise ()
BD 1-1/2 ton Superpoise ()
Superpoise QX Series 2-3, 3-4 and 5, 6 ton 6-cylinder models (1955-, built at Dunstable) Example 1: from Rootes collection
Superpoise with TS3 engine (-)

QX 5-7 ton carriers and 10-12 tractors with revised cab and TS3 engine (1955-). Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: Photo of Commmer QX tractor and low loader with the ex. Lord Lonsdale's Commer Car being transported to Beaulieu in the 1960s. Photo sent in by Sam Cottingham. Example 3: TS3 recovery truck, P.Noble and Son, Archive Centre Commer Day, 2016. Example 4: well known TS3 horsebox belonging to Glyn Swain.

S series
- S15 15cwt (1950-3). Example 1: exceptional 1951 Karrier S15 Superpoise belonging to Ian Mossman in N.Z. The Karrier Superpoise were Commers which had been re-badged in order to circumvent New Zealand (and Australia did the same) import restrictions which followed WW2 and lasted well into the 1960's.
- S25 25cwt (1950-3)
A series
- A15 15cwt (1953-5)
- A25 25cwt (1953-5)
R series
C series (1954-7)
Express delivery van (1949-62) Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: from Rootes collection Example 3: P. Edwards 1955 van at the Hillman Centenary, 2007
Husky (1954-7, 41,898 built at Ryton)
Cob 7cwt 4-cylinder van (1954-65) Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: from Rootes collection Example 3: from Rootes collection Example 4: from Rootes collection
BF 25cwt (1-1/2 ton) FC van and pickup range (1953-)
15cwt pickup (1956-)
Commer-Scammell 10 ton (1956-)
Commer-SAE-SMMT 10 ton (1956-)
Commer-SAE-SMMT 12 ton (1956-)
5 ton FC (1957-)
Commer-Unipower FC 10 ton 6-wheel (1958-)
Avenger TS3 passenger coach (1948-) Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: from Rootes collection Example 3: from Rootes collection
FC 1500, PA and PB 1500 3/4 ton forward control van (1959-65-67)
FC 2500, PA and PB 2500 1 ton forward control van (1959-65-67-) Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: from Rootes collection Example 3: from Rootes collection Example 4: from Rootes collection Example 5: from Rootes collection Example 6: from Rootes collection Example 7: from Rootes collection Example 8: from Rootes collection Example 9: from Rootes collection Example 10: from Rootes collection Example 11: from Rootes collection Example 12: from Rootes collection
KA, KC 3023 Walk-thru 30cwt (1-1/2 ton) van (1961-67-)
KA, KC 4023 Walk-thru 40cwt (2 ton) van (1961-67-) Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: from Rootes collection
KA, KC 6035 Walk-thru 60cwt (3 ton) chassis (1961-67-)
Imp 5cwt Van (1964-66). Example 1: Sam Cottingham's Commer Imp van PMK55E. Example 2: James Crampton's Commer Imp van.
Maxiload 4 to 12 ton FC chassis or tractor with TS3 engine (1964-)

Maxiload 14 ton FC (1964-)
Maxiload 16 ton FC (1964-) Example 1: from Rootes collection
Maxiload 24 ton (1965-) Example 1: Commer trucks at Dunstable photo from Sam Cottingham.

C Series with TS3 engine

CA range 7-8 ton (1961-) Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: from Rootes collection Example 3: Sam Cottingham's Commer
CFT Fire Tender (c.1965)

V Series

VA 4-6 ton FC (1962-66) Example 1: Commer trucks at Earls Court photo from Sam Cottingham.
VB 4-6 ton (1966-67)
VC (19??)

LA6 6 ton (c.1965).

Coventry-Premier became part of the Singer group - more information to be provided.

3-wheeler cycle car
4-wheel 10HP (1921)

Dodge commercials. For more information about Rootes commercial vehicles see http://www.fleetdata.co.uk/rootes.html. For information about Chrysler and Dodge vehicles, including the current range see http://www.allpar.com.

15cwt (1919-29)
109 15cwt (1929)
DEF 25cwt (1929)
1EF 30cwt (1929)
133 30cwt (1939)
ME 2 ton (1939-1)
LER 2 ton (1930-1)
RES 3 ton (1930-1)
HEX 3 ton (1930-1)
HES 3 ton (1939-1)
133WB 30cwt (1930)
UF30 30cwt (1931)
UF10 15cwt (1931-3)
TU6 30cwt (1931)
UF30A 30cwt (1932)
UF30D 40cwt (1934)
UF31D 40cwt (1934)
F35C 50cwt (1934)
F41CD 60cwt (1934-5)
F62CD 80cwt (1934)
UG30A 30cwt (1935)
UG30E 2 ton (1935)
UG31E 2 ton (1935)
HCX 15cwt (1936)
530 30cwt (1936)
HSW and HLW 40cwt (1936)
HLWB 20 seat (1936)
PLF 2 ton (1935-6)
PLFF 2-1/2 ton (1935-6)
PLB 20 seat (1935)
PS and PSF 2 ton (1935-6)
PSFF 2-1/2 ton (1935-6)
PT 30cwt (1935-6)
PAF 30cwt (1935-6)
PAFF 2-1/2 ton (1935-6)
KCX 15cwt (1935-6)
KCLX 15cwt (1935-6)
K45 3 ton (1935)
K47 3 ton (1935)
PTF 30cwt (1936)
ASF 80cwt (1936)
ALF 80cwt (1936)
PLB 20 seat (1937)
LCX 15cwt (1937)
RTAF 30cwt (1937)
RT and RTF 30cwt (1937)
RS and RL 40cwt (1937)
RAF, RSF and RLF 60cwt (1937)
CSF and CLF 80cwt (1937)
DSF and DLF Major 80cwt (1937)
RB and RBF 20 and 26 seat (1937-9)
MCX 15cwt (1937-8)
MD21 20cwt (1937-8)
STAF 36-1/2 cwt (1937-8)
ST and STF 39cwt (1938-9)
SS 60cwt (1938-9)
PL 2 ton (1938-9)
SL 60cwt (1938-9)
SAF 90cwt (1938-9)
SSF 90cwt (1938-9)
SLF 90cwt (1938-9)
ESF 111-1/4 cwt (1938-9)
ELF 112-1/2 cwt (1938-9)
FSF 120-1/4 cwt (1938-9)
FLF 121-1/2 cwt (1938-9)
SBF 26 seat (1938-9)
RD21 20cwt (1939)

Hillman cars. For more information about Hillman models see Hillman Owners' Club. There are lots of pictures and other information to help with identification on the Web site of the Hillman Car Club of South Australia Inc. And more here Jeroen's blog has a lot of photos of different Hillman cars. This Web site by Hermann Egges has copies of lots of advertising images (coming soon).

40 (1907-11)
25 (1908-13)
12/15 (1909-13)
9 (1913-5)
10 (1913)
13/25 (1914)
11 (1915-16 and 19-26)
Speed Model (1920)
Sporting (1921)
14 (1926-8 and 1938-40 3,984 of second series built at Humber Rd.) Example 1: Tony Taylor's 1929 Hillman 14.
Vortic (1928-32)
16 (1936-7)
Straight 8 Tourer (1929-31) Example 1: Tony Taylor's 1929 Hillman Straight 8.
Wizard.

Wizard 65/75 (1931-3, 7,000 built at Humber Rd.)
20/70 (1933-5, 4,092 built at Humber Rd.)
16 (1935) Example 1: S. Stacey's 16HP saloon at the Hillman Centenary, 2007
16/Hawk (1936-7, 5,236 built at Humber Rd.) There is much more information about Hillman 16 and related Rootes cars on Alec Morley's Web site. Example 1: from Rootes collection

80 (1936)
Minx. For pictures of Minx, Gazelle and Husky to help with identification see Hillman Car Club of South Australia Inc. Other information can be found on Andy Murkin's Web site and Web site for the Aero Minx. For pictures of classic Minx cars from 1921-1939 see Frank Parson's Web site.

Minx (1931-5, 43,306 built at Humber Rd.) Example 1: A. Redall's 1934 Minx at the Hillman Centenary, 2007.
Minx Magnificent (1935-9, 92,095 built at Humber Rd.) Example 1: Andy Lucas' 1936 Minx Magnificent. Example 2: Frank Parson's 1936 Minx Magnificent.
Aero Minx (1932-5, 649 built at Humber Rd. with bodies from Carbodies)
Minx MkI - VIIIA (1939-45 unknown number built at Humber Rd. 1945-56, 378,705 built at Ryton) - monocoque and Loewy style. MkI-MkV were also known as Phase I to Phase V cars. Example 1: Trevor Sweeney's 1939 4-door saloon Phase 1 Example 2: from Rootes collection Example 3: from Rootes collection Example 4: from Rootes collection Example 6: Eric Kuiper's Minx MkVII Example 7: B. Blandon's 1947 Phase I convertible at the Hillman Centenary, 2007 Example 8: T. Clark's 1948 Phase II convertible at the Hillman Centenary, 2007 Example 9: G. Walker's 1955 MkVIII convertible at the Hillman Centenary, 2007 Example 10: Peter Stewart's MkI
Husky (1954-7, 41,898 built at Ryton)
Minx Series I - VI (1956-67, over 421,681 built at Ryton). Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: Eric Kuiper's Minx Series 1 Example 3: from Rootes collection Example 4: from Rootes collection Example 5: from Rootes collection Example 6: from Rootes collection Example 7: from Rootes collection Example 8: from Rootes collection Example 9: S. Blood's 1958 Series II convertible at the Hillman Centenary, 2007 Example 10: J. Claeys' 1960 Series IIIa convertible at the Hillman Centenary, 2007 Example 11: D. Leddiman's 1962 Series IIIc at the Hillman Centenary, 2007 Example 12: Michael Allen's 1959 Series III Example 13: Bernie MacIntyre's Series IIIA
Husky Series I - III (1958-65, over 56,000 built at Ryton) Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: from Rootes collection Example 3: from Rootes collection Example 4: from Rootes collection
Super Minx Series I - IV (1961-67) Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: from Rootes collection Example 3: from Rootes collection Example 4: from Rootes collection Example 5: from Rootes collection Example 6: Bruce Gibbs' 1963 Hillman Super Minx MkII Convertible.
New Minx (1967-70) Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: Eric Kuiper's Arrow series Sunbeam Minx

Imp (440,032 total of all Imp models, including Commers, Singers and Sunbeams built at Linwood). For identification and information about Imps see Franka Steinhuis' site.

Basic MkI-II (1963-76) Example 1: Eric Kuiper's MkI Imp
Super. Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: Jill Dunkley's 1973 Imp Super at the Archive Open Day, 10th June 2007 Example 3: C. Banks' MkI Super at the Hillman Centenary, 2007 Example 4: P. Thompson's 1970 MkII Super at the Hillman Centenary, 2007 Example 5: A. Dowler's 1973 MkII Super at the Hillman Centenary, 2007
DeLuxe. Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: from Rootes collection Example 3: from Rootes collection Example 4: Bob Allan's 1975 Imp deLuxe photographed on March 4th 2006 (now sold) Example 5: deLuxe at the Hillman Centenary, 2007 Example 6: Dave Walter's rally Imp at the Hillman Centenary, 2007 Example 7: D. McIntosh's 1964 Imp at the Hillman Centenary, 2007
Californian (1967-70) Example 1: from Rootes collection Examples 2 and 3: Karen Benoy's and Bob Allan's Californians at the Hillman Centenary, 2007
Husky (1967-70) Example 1: from Rootes collection
Caledonian (1976, c.2,000) Example 1: Trevor Cutler's Caledonian Imp Example 2: John Price's Caledonian Imp Example 3: James Spencer's at the Hillman Centenary, 2007

Hunter (470,000 of all models built at Ryton) - Arrow type Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: from Rootes collection

Hunter MkI - II (1966-77) Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: from Rootes collection Example 3: from Rootes collection Example 4: from Rootes collection Example 5: from Rootes collection Example 6: N. Harrison's GLS at the Hillman Centenary, 2007
GT (1969-70). Example 1: Gordon Jarvis' replica London-Sydney rally Hunter at the Hillman Centenary, 2007
Peykan (Hunter built in Iran) (1967-2004) - Arrow type, supplied in CKD kit form initially. Example 1: Andrew McAdam's Peykan.

Hunter Topaz Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: from Rootes collection
Chrysler Hunter Example 1: from Rootes collection
Avenger (638,631 of all models built at Ryton with Brazilian and Argentinian derivatives)

Avenger GL and GT (1970-73) Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: from Rootes collection Example 3: from Rootes collection Example 4: R. Kirby's estate at the Hillman Centenary, 2007 Example 5: Avenger at the Hillman Centenary, 2007
Avenger GLS and Tiger (1972-3). Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: Avenger Tiger.
1300 (1973-)
1600 (1973-)

Hillman commercials. For more information about Rootes commercial vehicles see http://www.fleetdata.co.uk/rootes.html.

Van 6cwt (1934)
Van 15cwt (1934)
Imp Van 5cwt (1967-9) Example 1: Keith Evans' Imp van at the Hillman Centenary, 2007

Humber cars. For more information see this page from the PVHCC site. There are also pictures of several cars on Allan Marshall's Web site. This Web site by Hermann Egges has copies of lots of advertising images.

4-1/2 (1900)
8 (1902)
12 (1902)
20 (1903)
5 Humberette (1904)
6-1/2 Royal Humberette (1904)
8-1/2 (1904)
14 (1904)
25 (1904)
7-1/2 (1905)
8/10 Coventry (1905)
8/10 Beeston (1905)
10 (1905)
10/12 (1905 and 1905-7)
16 (1905)
16/20 (1905)
10 (1907)
15 (1907)
20/30 (1907)
30/40 (??)
10/12 (1908-9)
20 (1908-9)
30 (1908 and 1908-9)
8 (1909-10)
16 (1909)
28 (1909)
12 (1910-11)
16/24 (1910-11)
10/14 (1911)
12/20 (1911-12)
28 (1911-14)
8 (1912-4)
11 (1912)
14 (1912)
20 (1912-3)
11 (1913-6)
14 (1913-4)
20 (1913-4)
8 Humberette (1914-5)
10 (1914-6)
14 (1914-6)
20 (1914)
15.96 15/40 (1919-28)
10.5 (1919-23)
10.8 (1921)
8/18 (1922-5)
11.4 (1922-5)
9/20 (1925-8)
12/25 (1925-7)
14/40 (1927-9)
20/55 (1927-8)
16/50 (1928-32) Example 1: Helmar Wischniewski's 1932 16/50 [link TBA]
9/28 (1929-30) Example 1: Gerry Capon's 9/28.
6/50 (1929)
20/65 (1929-30)
12 (1932-7, 8,486 built in Coventry)
16/60 and 25/80 (1934-5, 7,891 built in Coventry) Example 1: Martin Glarner's 1935 Humber 16/60.
18 (1935-7, 866 built in Coventry)
16 (1938-40, 1,925 built in Coventry)
Hawk

Hawk Mk I - VIA (1945-57, 57,282 built at Ryton)
Hawk Series I - IV (1957-68, 41,191 built at Ryton) Example 1: from Rootes collection

Snipe

Snipe 80 (1930-5) Example 1: Humber Snipe 80 (or later?).
16/50 Snipe (1930-32)
16/60 Snipe (1932-3)
20/70 Snipe (1932-3) Example 1: 1931 Humber Snipe 20/70 - photo from Tony Taylor.
18/Snipe (1936-7, 2,652 built in Coventry)
16/Snipe and Super Snipe (1938-40, 4,206 built in Coventry)
Snipe (1945-8, 1,240 built at Humber Rd. and Ryton)
Super Snipe MkI - IV (1945-56, 38,966 built at Ryton). Example 1: Richard Salter's 1953 Model
Super Snipe Series I-V (1957-67, 30,031 built at Ryton) Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: Eric Kuiper's Super Snipe Series 3 Example 3: super_snipe_s3.jpg.

Pullman

Pullman (1930-5 and 1936-9, 3,700 of the second series built in Coventry). Example 1: Dion Manning's 1934 Pullman in New South Wales.
Mk I - IV (1945-54)

Imperial

Example 1: 1936 Humber Imperial (Sunbeam 30) photo sent by L.Passant
Snipe Imperial (1939-40)
Mk II - IV (1949-54)
New Imperial (1964-7). Example 1: from Rootes collection

Sceptre MkI-II (1963-9, 72,947 built at Ryton) - Audax type. Example 1: Bruce Gibbs' 1966 Humber Sceptre MkII. Example 2: J.Goffaux' 1965 MkII at the Hillman Centenary, 2007. Example 3: L.Passant's 1966 MkII in Australia. Example 4: Sceptre MkI 2-door convertible (damaged) c.1970 possibly a prototype? Photo from Douglas Chatham.
Sceptre MkIII (1968-76) - Arrow type Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: 1972 Sunbeam Sceptre III of Alain Vignaud

Humber commercials. For more information about Rootes commercial vehicles see http://www.fleetdata.co.uk/rootes.html.

Snipe 10cwt Van

Karrier commercials. For more information about Rootes commercial vehicles see http://www.fleetdata.co.uk/rootes.html and http://www.commer.org.nz. Jeroen's blog has a lot of photos of different Karrier vehicles.

A/40-110 cwt type (1908-)
B/20-110 cwt type (1910-)
C type (1922-34)

C 14-seat or 30 cwt (1922, 1924-5)
CK3 3 ton RSC vehicles (c.1937)
CK6
CX 40 cwt (1922)
CY 40 cwt or 20 seat (1924-7)
CYL (1925-)
CY2 40-50 cwt (1928-31)
CVR 50-65 cwt (1930-34)
CY3 and CYR 60 cwt (1934)
CWY 60-75 cwt (1926-31)
CL 20-29 seat 60 cwt e.g. Norfolk (1926)
CY6 50 cwt (1926)
CL4 30, 26, 26/29 seat (1927-9)
CL6 30 seat (1928)
CV5 32 seat (1928)
CV6 6-wheel rigid body, 65 cwt chassis (1926-)
CL R-6WH 30 seat (1927)

K (forward control) and SK (side) type (1922-33)

K1 60-65 cwt or 28-45 seat (1922-3)
SK1 60-65 cwt (1922-3)
K2 70-75-80 cwt (1922-4)
SK2 70-75-80 cwt (1922-4)
K3 60 cwt or 28-54 seat (1922-5)
SK3 33-35 seat (1922-5)
K4 80-90 cwt (1922-7)
SK4 80 cwt (1922-5)
K5 100-110-120 cwt (1922-31)
SK5 100-110 cwt (1922-5)
KL 30-32 seat 5 ton e.g. Stafford (1926)
K6 tractor 12 ton (1927-31)
K7 7 ton (1928-31)
KW6 8 ton (1929)
KWR6 8-9 ton (1930-33)
KWF6 8-10 ton (1930-33)

J type (1924-9)

JH 60-65-70 cwt (1924-7)
JK 30-32 seat 75 cwt e.g. Durham (1926)
JKL 52 or 32 seat (1927-8)
JKL FC 32 seat (1929)

H 18-25 seat or 50 cwt (1922-25)
Z 20-25 cwt (1925-7)
ZA 30 cwt
ZX 30 cwt or 20 seat, e.g. Devon (1926-9)
ZX2 24 seat (1927)
WD 2 ton (1924-6)
GH4 80-95 cwt (1928-33)
GH5 FC 80-100-120 cwt (1929-33)
GYR ()
WL ()
WL6 6-wheel rigid chassis, 5 ton, 28 passengers single or 54 passengers double deck bus, e.g. Kent (1925-9)
DD6 various bus models (1929-31)
WO4 ()
WO6 various bus models (1929-31)
RM6 100-120 cwt (1931-2)
FM6 100-120 cwt (1931-4)
TT tractor 12 ton (1931-3)
Cutter 20 seat 4-wheel (1928-32)
Coaster 28 seat 4-wheel (1928-35)
Chaser 4 26-35 seat 4-wheel (1928-32)
Chaser 6 26 seat (1930-5)
Clipper 40 seat 6-wheel (1928-31)
Consort 68 seat 6-wheel (1928-34)
Monitor 50 seat 4-wheel double decker (1929-34)
Road Railer (1929-1937-)
Colt 2 ton 3 wheel tractor or RSC (1930-4)
Colt Major 4 ton 3 wheel tractor (1930-4)
Victor 65 cwt (1932)
Protector 75-80 cwt (1932-4)
Road-Railer (c.1931)
Consul 155 cwt (1932-4)
Colossus 220-265 cwt (1932-4)
Bantam 50 cwt (1933-4, 36-40)
Bantam RSC road sweeper-collector (1933-9)
Cob 50/60 cwt 3 wheel tractor (c.1930)
Cob Junior 4 ton 3 wheel tractor or RSC (1935-9
Cob Major 4 ton 3 wheel tractor
Cob Senior 6 ton 3 wheel tractor or RSC (c.1937)
Cob Six 6 ton 3 wheel tractor (1934)
Falcon 3 ton (1934)
Defender 5 ton (1934)
Elector 6 ton (1934)
Autocrat 6 ton (1934)
Democrat 5 ton (1934)
Colt (1937-9)
Super Safety Coach 6-wheel ()
E series Trolley Bus (1935-)

EA3 32-4 seat single deck 4-wheel ()
E4L 326 seat single deck 4-wheel light-eight ()
E4S 32 seat single deck 4-wheel ()
E4 56 seat double deck 4-wheel ()
E6 Clough 60 seat double deck 6-wheel ()
E6A 70 seat double deck 6-wheel ()

Carrimore 10/12 ton, e.g. om K5 chassis (c.1936)
CK3-6 3-6 ton (1939-40, -1950?)
Bantam F-series 2-3 ton (1948-63)
Bantam FA-series 3-5 ton (1948-63)
Gamecock E-series 3-4 ton 6-cylinder (1950-) Example 1: Porirua NZ 1966 fire engine, from Andrew Mills.
14 seat coach and ambulance (1954-)
Bantam 4-5 ton tractor (1956-)
Bantam tipper (1958-)
Karrier-Walker 12 seat bus (1958-)
Karrier-Dennis Ambulance (1962-)
Ramillies refuse collector (1962-)
Karrier ice cream van (c.1962) Example 1: Annie's Ice Cream. Example 2: Hansens's in Denmark.
Bantam FB-series 3 ton (1972-)

Simca For more information about Simca models see http://www.simcatalbotclub.org/.

Aronde (1951-55, 1,425,329 of all Aronde models produced)
Aronde 1300 (1955-8)
Aronde P60 (1958-64)
Aronde Oceane/ Plein Ceil (1957-61, 11,560 produced)
Vedette (1954-63, 166,895 produced)
1000 (1961-78, 1,642,091 produced)
1000 coupe (1962-7, 10,011 produced)
1000 GLS/ Special
1200S (1967-71, 14,741 produced)
1300 (1963-6, 275,626 produced)
1500 (1963-6, 162,183 produced)
1301 (1967-76, 637,263 produced)
1501 (1967-76, 267,835 produced)
1100 and 1100 Special (1967-82, 1,833,485 produced)
Project 937 (1967, prototype only) Example 1: drawing from Archive Centre. Example 2: Simca Museum, Poissy photo from Olivier Guin.
1204 Special (1970-2)

Singer cars. For more information about Singer cars see page from ASCO Web site. And for yet more, there is the Singer Owners' Club gallery back to 1900. This Web site by Hermann Egges has copies of lots of advertising images.

8/10 (1906)
7/9 (1906-10)
12/14 (1906 and 1906-10)
10 (1907)
12/15 (1907)
20/22 (1907)
20/25 (1908-10)
16 (1909)
16/20 (1910)
20/25 (1910)
15 (1911-4)
20 (1911-5)
10 (1913-6)
14 (1913-4)
25 (1913-4)
15.9 (1915)
10 (1919-23)
15 (1921-5)
10/25 (1925-8)
8 (1926)
14/34 (1926-8)
8 Junior (1927-32)
10 (1927-32)
Senior (1928-9)
Six (1929-31)
Senior-6 (1930-1)
9 (1932-7) Example 1: C. Davies' 1936 Nine with Dickey seat at the Hillman Centenary, 2007
9 Sports (1933) Example 1: Singer 1934.
12 (1933-5)
14 (1933)
2 Litre (1933)
11 (1934-7)
11 Airstream (1934-6)
Bantam (1935-7)
17.9 (1934)
9 Le Mans (1935-6) Example 1: Phil Taylor's Singer 1934 Le Mans.
1-1/2 Le Mans (1935-6)
16 (1935-7)
Bantam (1938-40)
Super 10 (1937-49)
Nine (1939-49)
Super 12 (1938-49)
SM 1500 (1948-51 and 1952-4)
Nine 4A and 4AB (1949-51)
Hunter (1954-6, 4,750 built in Birmingham)
Hunter 75 (1955-6)
Gazelle

Gazelle I-VI (1956-67, 83,061 built at Ryton). Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: from Rootes collection Example 3: from Rootes collection Example 4: from Rootes collection Example 5: Singer Gazelle (which?). Example 6: Singer Gazelle Mk III Convertible. Example 7: R. Hirschhorn's 1962 Series IIIa estate at the Hillman Centenary, 2007 Example 8: Gerry Capon's MkIII. Example 9: Mike Costigan's 1968 Singer Gazelle estate.
New Gazelle Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: from Rootes collection
New Gazelle (1967-70, 31,482 built at Ryton and Linwood) - Arrow type Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: from Rootes collection

Vogue

Vogue I - IV (1961-66, 47,769 built at Ryton) Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: from Rootes collection Example 3: from Rootes collection Example 4: Peter Eiben's 1963 MkII Vogue 1600cc
New Vogue (1966-70, 47,655 built at Ryton) - Arrow type. 1725cc 4-cyl ohv engine. Available as saloon or estate. Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: from Rootes collection Example 3: from Rootes collection Example 4: from Rootes collection Example 5: from Rootes collection Example 6: from Rootes collection

Imp Chamois

Mk I - II (1964-70, 40,687 built at Linwood) Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: from Rootes collection Example 3: Mike Costigan's 1967 Singer Chamois.
Sport (1966-70, 4,149 built at Linwood) Example 1: from Rootes collection
Coupe Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: from Rootes collection

Singer commercials. For more information about Rootes commercial vehicles see http://www.fleetdata.co.uk/rootes.html.

7 cwt Van (1914-5)
5 cwt Van (1928-9)
14 cwt Van (1931-2)
15 cwt Van (1932-3)
12 cwt Van (1934-5)
Junior 5/7 cwt Van (1935)

Sunbeam cars. For a useful potted history of Sunbeam and related marques see http://www.sunbeam.org.au/history/. For information about the early beginnings of Sunbeam cars see Wolverhampton History and Heritage Web site.

Mabley (1901-4) cycle-car designed by Maxwell Maberley-Smith. Approx 130 built. See Wolverhampton History and Heritage Web site.
12/16HP (1903-5)
12/14 (1904-10)
16/20 (1905-10)
25/30 (1907-11)
20 (1908)
35 (1908 and 1908-9)
16 (1909)
14/18 (1909)
12/16 (1910-11)
14/20 and 16/20 (1910-11) designed by Coatalen. 3828cc 4-cyl engine.
25/30 (1910-11)
18/22 (1911-2)
25/30 (1911-2)
12/16 (1910-4) 4-cyl 2412cc (later 3016cc) designed by Henry Coatalen. Approx 4,950 built plus 1,781 built by Rover.
16/20 (1912-4) new 4070cc engine, some built at Rover to free up factory space for aero-engine production during the war.
25/30 (1911-4, two models) 6-cyl 6105cc engine. Approx 446 built.
16 (1915)
20 (1915)
30 (1915)
16/40 (1919-22) new range after end of war. based on 12/16. 4-cyl sidevalve 3016cc engine. Approx 2,050 built.
24 (1919-21) based on pre-war 25/30. 6-cyl sidevalve 4524cc engine producing 50bhp. Approx 753 built
16/40 (1921-24) new model 16 with 3016cc engine overhead cam.
14 (1921-4) 4-cyl overhead valve engine of 1954cc. Enlarged to 2121cc in 1923. Approx 1,500 built.
24/60 (1921-4) new sports model of 24 with 4524cc ohc engine.
24/70 (1923-4) new ohc engine
12/30 (1923-5) 1598cc 4-cyl ohv engine. Approx 95 made. Tourer or Saloon bodies.
14/40 (1924-7) replacement for 14, 2121cc overhead valve 4-cyl engine. Approx 2,850 produced.
16/50 (1924) 6-cyl 2540cc ohv engine. Only 26 built before it was re-listed as the Talbot 18/55.
20/60 (1923-6) new car with 6-cyl 3181cc ohv engine. Approx 1,560 produced.
3 Litre Super Sports (1925-30) 3 litre twincam engine of 2916cc. Supercharged from 1929. Approx 315 built.
30/90 (1926-30) 30HP and 35HP models with 4825cc or 5028cc straight-8 engines. Enlarged to 4828cc and 5447cc respectively in 1927. Only 65 built.
16 (1926-33) 2035cc 6-cyl ohv engine. Approx 3,495 built.
20 (1926-31) 2916cc 6-cyl ohv engine. Available as 2-seater, tourer, fixed-head coupe, folding-head coupe, coach-built saloon, Weymann saloon or Rally Weymann saloon. A long wheelbase (carriage) chassis was introduced in 1928. Around 2,560 made up to 1930. Example 1: Roy McBride's 1928 3l Sunbeam.
25 (1926-32) replacement for 20/60. 6-cyl 3619cc ohv engine. Available as tourer, rally limousine, enclosed limousines, enclosed Laundaulet and Weymann limousine. Around 1,356 total.
35 (1929)
16 (1931-3) Increased to 2193cc in 1931 (19HP). Approx 1,045 built.
20 and Twenty (1930-3) uprated 3317cc ohv engine. Around 752 built 1931-33.
Twenty-five (1934-5) 23.8~HP engine
Speed 20 (1933-5) 2916cc 6-cyl ohv engine. Only 98 were built because of competition with Talbot 105 of similar spec.
Dawn (1934-5) Last non-Rootes saloon. 1627cc ohv 4-cyl engine. Around 575 made.
Sports 21 (previously Speed 20) (1935) with Twenty or Twenty-five engine
Sunbeam Thirty (1936) first Rootes Sunbeam designed by Georges Roesch. 4,503cc straight-8 engine. Four built and one appeared at Olympia Motor Show in 1936. All cars were then broken up. Also referred to as Expo-8.

Sunbeam commercials. For more information about Rootes commercial vehicles see http://www.fleetdata.co.uk/rootes.html. For information about Sunbeam buses and trolley buses see Wolverhampton History and Heritage Web site. This Web site by Hermann Egges has copies of lots of advertising images.

MF1 trolley bus 32/34 seat (1934-9)
MF2 48/52 seat (1934-9)
MF3 6 wheel 60/66 seat or 60/64 seat (1934-9)
S3 6 wheel 55/60 seat (1934-5)
MF2A 49/54 seat (1935-9)
MF3 20 seat and MF3A 24 seat (1936-9)
MB 12/15 seat electric goods vehicle (1939)
SF4/2 32/34 seat (1935)
SS6K 80 seat 6 wheel FC (1935)
MS2 60/66 seat seat 6 wheel double deck
MS3 58/60 seat seat 6 wheel double deck

Sunbeam-Talbot For information about the 1936-57 cars,see STAR Web site. For information about the later Alpines, see Sunbeam Alpine Owners' Club page. And for information about Rapiers, see Page from SROC site. This Web site by Hermann Egges has copies of lots of advertising images.

Ten (1938-48, 8,023 built at Ryton) upgrade to previous Talbot 10. 1185cc sidevalve Minx engine producing between 38 and 41bhp.
2 Litre (1939-48, 1,124 (1,306?) built at Ryton) based on Ten, but with 1944cc sidevalve engine from Hillman 14.
3 Litre (1938-40, 1,266 made) re-badged Talbot 3 Litre, based on Humber Snipe with 3181cc sidevalve engine.
4 Litre (1939-40, 229 built) same chassis as 2 Litre, but 4086c 6-cyle sidevalve engine from Humber Super Snipe. Example 1: War time MkIII Limousine.
80 Mk I (1948-50, 3,500 built at Ryton) replacement for Ten. 1185cc engine.
90 Mk I - IIA (1948-54, 20,381 (4,000 MkI, 5,493 MkII ?) built at Ryton) replacement for 2-Litre. 1944cc engine in MkI and 2267cc in MkII. Example 1: L. Schutyser's 1952 MkII coupe at the Hillman Centenary, 2007
Alpine MkI (1953-4) and MkIII (1954-5), drophead coupe based on Sunbeam 90 shells as first developed by George Hartwell. Some 3,000 plus built at Ryton. Example 1: Peter Shimmel's ex. works 1953 Sunbeam Alpine MkI.
Sunbeam Mk III and Mk IIIS (1954-57). Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: from Rootes collection Example 3: 1953 car belonging to the Clarkes in Australia Example 4: Richard Scofidio's MkI
Rapier I - V (1955-67, 68,809 built at Ryton), first model of new Audax range.

Series I had 1390cc engine (7,477 built) Example 1: Sunbeam Rapier Series 1 Example 2: John Clarke's Series 1
Series II, 1494cc (15,151 built)
Series III (15,368 built) Example 1: Sunbeam Rapier Series 3. Example 2: Ronnie Jordan's Series 3.
Series IIIA 1582cc (17,354 built) Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: Hercules Skyrianides' SIIIA
Series IV (9,700 built) Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: from Rootes collection Example 3: from Rootes collection Example 4: Eric Kuiper's Rapier Series 4.
Series V 1725cc engine (3,759 built)

Alpine I - V (1959-68, 69,251 built in Coventry and at Ryton). Series I 1494cc (11,904 built), Series II 1592cc engine (19,956 built), Series III Sports and GT (5,863 built), Series IV (12,406 built), Series V, 1725cc (19,122 built). Several coupes were also built by Harrington, see the Sunbeam Harrington Web site http://www.harringtonalpine.org. Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: from Rootes collection Example 3: from Rootes collection Example 4: from Rootes collection Example 5: P.R.Pimlott's Sunbeam Alpine Series III sometime 1963-68. Example 6: Zak's Sunbeam Alpine Series V. Example 7: Daniel Lambert's 1967 Series V Sunbeam Alpine now in Belgium. Example 8: J.P. van Vinckenroye's 1964 Series IV at the Hillman Centenary, 2007 Example 9: MkV Alpine prototype belonging to Rich Vose
Venezia Superleggera (1963-5, c.200 built with coachwork by Carrozeria Touring in Milan). 1592cc engine. Example 1: Robert Jaarsma's Sunbeam Venezia.
Imp

Sport (1964-76, 10,000 built at Linwood) Example 1: from Rootes collection

from Rootes collection

Stiletto (1967-73, approx 10,000 built). Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: Simon Benoy's Sunbeam Stiletto.

Colin Valentine's Stiletto at the Hillman Centenary, 2007

Various export models. Example 1: Colin Gunn's Spring Special Imp.

Tiger. More information from the Sunbeam Tiger Owners' Club site.

Tiger 260 (1964-7, 6,495 (6,546?) built by Jensens of West Bromwich) Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: from Rootes collection
Tiger 289 (1967, 571 (536?) built at West Bromwich)

Rapier

New Rapier (1967-76, 46,204 built at Ryton) - Arrow type, 1725cc engine Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: from Rootes collection
Rapier H120 (1968) engine tuned by Holbay Engineering. Example 1: from Rootes collection

Alpine (1969-75). Total of around 46,204 fastback Rapiers and Alpines were built at Ryton and Linwood.

Talbot cars.

http://www.simcatalbotclub.org/

6 (1904)
11 (1904)
14 (1904)
20 (1940)
27 (1904)
7 (1905)
10/12 (1905-8)
12/16 (1905-7)
20/24 (1905-7)
24/30 (1905-7)
35/45 (1905-11)
8/10 (1906-8)
10/16 (1907-8)
15 (1907-8)
50/60 (1907-8)
9/11 (1908)
12 (1908-15)
25 (1908-9)
20/40 (1910-4)
25 (1910-3)
15 (1911-3)
35 (1911)
15/20 (1914-5)
20/30 (1914-5)
25/50 (1914-22 and 1915)
14 (1921)
16 (1921)
36 (1921)
12/30 (1922-4)
8/18 (1922-6)
10/23 (1923-6)
16/50 (1924-5)
18/55 (1925) formerly the Sunbeam 16/50 of 1924.
14/45 (1926-30)
"New 14" (1931)
20/60 (1926-8)
18/70 (1930)
90 (1930-7)
75 (1931-7) Example 1: Mike Costigan's 1931 Talbot 75 2-3 seater.
105 (1931-7)
65 (1932-35) Example 1: Mike Costigan's 1933 Talbot 65 Vanden Plas tourer.
95 (1933-36)
110 (1935-7)
8 (1936)
10 (1936-9 around 2,950 built). Example 1: Ruud Lem's 1936 Talbot Ten DHC.
3 Litre (1937-8)
Sunbeam (1977-81, 10,5847 produced) For more information about Avengers see Page from ASOC Web site..
Sunbeam 1600Ti(1979-81, 10,113 produced) with Avenger Tiger engine Example 1: from Rootes collection
Sunbeam Lotus (1979-81, 2,308 produced) Lotus tuned engine, fast but expensive! Example 1: from Rootes collection Example 2: from Rootes collection Example 3: Paul Burch's original Talbot Sunbeam Lotus. Example 4: Production Sunbeam Lotus.
Horizon (1979-85, 51,320 produced)
Avenger (1979-81, 37,309 produced)
Alpine (1979-85, 77,422 produced)
Solara (1982-84, 98,150 produced)
Minx/ Rapier (1984-6, 27,250 produced)
Rancho - Matra/ Simca (1977-84)
Tagora (1981-4, 23,400 produced)
Samba, Peugeot 104, Citroen LNA (1982-6, 198,470 produced)

Talbot commercials. For more information about Rootes commercial vehicles see http://www.fleetdata.co.uk/rootes.html.

AY75 Ambulance (1935-9)
AY95 Ambulance (1936-8)
AY100 Ambulance (1937-8)
Express range

1000 2450/2550kg truck, van or pick-up
1300 2800/2900kg truck, van or pick-up
1500 3100kg truck, van or pick-up

Talbot-Lago

Grand Sport 26CV (1947-54, 51 built)
Lago Sport (1954-7, 54 built)
Lago America (1957-9, 17 built)

Tilling-Stevens commercials. For more information about Rootes commercial vehicles see http://www.fleetdata.co.uk/rootes.html. Example 1: photo of TS3 sectioned engine in 1961 Example 2: photo of TS3 sectioned engine in 2007. Photos from Sam Cottingham (on left).

TS3-PE 30/57 seat (1917-19)
TSB3 80/100/120 cwt (1919-29)
TSB4 50 cwt (1918-27)
TS3A 80 cwt or 30/57 seat (1923-29)
TS4-PE 80/100 cwt or 30/57 seat (1920-25)
TS5-PE 40 cwt or 20/25 seat (1921-5)
TS6 and TS6 FC 80 cwt or 30/64 seat (1923, 1928)
TS6-PE FC and TS6(FDSE) 80 cwt or 30/64 seat (1924-6)
TS7-PE FC 80 cwt or 30/64 seat (1924-5)
TSB9 60 cwt or 32 seat (1926)
TSB9B, B9BL and B9AFD 60 cwt or 32 seat (1927-9)
TSB10AST Low Loader and B10B LL 32 seat and 10C FC LL 40 seat etc. (1927-30)
TS and TS15 68 seat (1928)
TS 50/52 seat (1929)
B9 series 60/75 cwt or 26/30 seat (1930-1)
B10 series 26/30/46 seat (1930-1)
TS1 7A series 5 ton or 52 seat (1930-1)
TS15A 7 ton (1931)
B39 and B49 (1932, 1935)
B3LC3 80 cwt (1935)
HA39A7 and HA49A7 322/34/39 seat (1936-39)
D60A7 and D60A6 36 and 52 seat (1935-7)
HAHLA7 32 seat (1935)
D6LA7 36 or 52 seat (1935-7)
H4LA7 32/34 seat (1935-9)
D5LA7 and D5LA7 52 or 36 seat (1936-7)
J5LA7 36 seat (1936-7)
Merlin NC and FC 60/80 cwt (1936)
H39CA and H4LCA 7 ton (1936-7)
Yeoman 8 ton truck chassis (1938-9)
Sucessor 49 seat 6-wheel double deck (1938-9)
56 seat trolley bus
Battery electric vehicles

EV1 40/60 cwt truck chassis low loader
EV4 40/60 cwt truck chassis
3EV4 40/60 cwt 3 wheel tractor
4EV4 40/60 cwt truck chassis

Vulcan cars.

6 (1903)
10 (1904-5 and 1906-9)
12 (1905)
18 (19)
14 (1906-7)
18/20 (1906-10)
25/30 (1906-8)
30 (1907-10)
10/12 (1908-9)
20 (1908-10)
25 (1908-10)
35 (1908-10)
12 (1909)
16 (1909)
15.9 (1911-2)
23.8 (1911)
10/12 (1912)
19.6 (1912)
25/30 (1912)
10/15 (1913-4)
15/20 (1913)
15.9 (1914)
15/20 (1914)
8 (1915)
15 (1915)
15/20 (1915)
20/28 (1915)
20/25 (1919-20)
12 (1920-4)
14 (1920)
16 (1920-2)
20/50 (1920)
9 (1921-2)
14 (1921)
20 (1921-4)
10 (1922-3)
20 (1922)
12 (1925)
14/40 (1928)
16/60 (1928)

Vulcan commercials. For more information about Rootes commercial vehicles see http://www.fleetdata.co.uk/rootes.html.

VSC 30 cwt truck chassis (1922-6)
VSO 40 cwt (1927-9)
VSM 2/3 ton and 3/5 ton (1928, 1930-1)
VSW and VSW SFC 30/40 cwt (1930-1)
2T 2 ton, 40/45 cwt and 20 seat (1922-31)
T1 20/25 seat (1923-5)
6W 4 ton (1923-6)
VW series (1925-32)

()

3X series (1927-33)

()

4T 4 ton (1927-8)
XL3 3 ton (1929)
D 26 seat (1929-31, 1936)
VBWS 36 seat (1929-30)
Prince 32 seat coach chassis
Princess 52 seat (1931)
Countess 28 seat (1930)
Emperor 51 seat (1930, 1936)
Ambulance (1930)
45RN NC and 45RF FC 45 cwt (1933)
70RN NC and 70RF 70 cwt (1933)
VBWL 32 seat (1936)
40HN and HF 40 cwt (1934-5)
50RN and RF 50 cwt (1934-5)
60HRN and HRF 60 cwt (1934-5)
80RN and RF 80 cwt ( 1934-5)
3DX 40/35 cwt ( 1935)
40DHN and F 40 cwt (1935)
50DR and GR N and F 50 cwt (1935)
60DH and GH N and F 60 cwt (1935)
80DR and GR N and F 80 cwt (1935)
5DR and GR N and F 5 ton (1935)
5TR N and F 5 ton (1936)
H N and F 2-1/2 ton (1936)
3R N and F 3 ton (1936)
LL 40 and 60 cwt (1936)
3-1/2 R N and F 70 cwt (1936)
5R N and F 5 ton (1936)
6R N and F 6 ton (1936)
2-1/2 DH N and F 50 cwt (1936-7)
3DR N and F 60 cwt (1936)
60/70GN N and F 6 cwt (1936)
3-1/2 DR N and F 70 cwt (1936)
70/80GC F and N 70 cwt (1936)
5D and 5G N and F 100 cwt (1936)
6D and 6G N and F (1936)
2-1/2 VN N and F 50 cwt (1937)
3-1/2 VN F and N 70 cwt (1937-8)
4VN F and N 4 ton (1937-8)
5VF FC 5 ton (1937-9)
LL 2 and 3 ton (1937)
4G N and F 4 ton (1937-8)
5G N and F 5 ton (1937-8)
Duke 20 seat (1937)
Duchess 26 seat (1937)
35VN 35 cwt (1938)
4ML 70 cwt (1938)
2-1/2 V N and F 50 cwt (1938-9)
3V N and F 3 ton (1939)
5PF 5 ton (1939)
3VL 5 ton (1939)

Thanks to...

All who attended the Hillman Centenary, 2007 despite the weather. Some photos from the event are featured for reference purposes in this catalogue.

Jim Crampton for working on the commercial and Liverpool connections including the WWII shadow factories; Sam Cottingham for much additional input on commercials; Hugh Boultbee and Brunson Martin for information on Humber; Gordon Jarvis, James Spencer, Simon Benoy, Colin Gunn, Roger Swift and other enthusiastic Imp Club members; Leon Gibbs for additional historical information; Tim and Sally Sutton; people referenced via the bibliography and Web links below; and everyone who has sent information and photographs for this Web page.

References and Web Links for more Information

Books

John Bullock The Rootes Brothers. (Patrick Stephens, 1993) ISBN 1-85260-454-9

Geoff Caverhill The Commer Story (Crowood Press, 2002) ISBN 1-86126-491-7

David Culshaw and Peter Horrobin The Complete Catalogue of British Cars. (MacMillan, London, 1974) ISBN 0-333-16689-2

Glass's Guides (1939 onwards)

L. Geary Rootes Commercial Vehicles (Ian Henry Publications, 1993) ISBN 0-86025-448-8

R. Langworth Tiger, Alpine, Rapier (Osprey Publishing Ltd., London, 1982) ISBN 0-85045-443-3

A.B. Demaus and J.C. Tarring The Humber Story 1868-1932 (Alan Sutton Publishing Ltd., 1989) ISBN 0-86299-596-3

Graham Robson Cars of the Rootes Group (Motor Racing Publications, 1990) ISBN 0-947981-35-7. Reprinted for the Rootes Archive Trust (Mercian Manuals, 2007) ISBN 978-1-903088-29-6

Web sites

Grace's Guide to British Industrial History: https://www.gracesguide.co.uk. A fantastic source of information from original publications. Started by Andrew Tweedie and named after his grand-daughter Grace.

Ian and Jan's Sunbeam Harrington Web site http://www.harringtonalpine.org

Keith Adams' Web site http://rootes-chrysler.co.uk

Bob Allan's Web site for Imps and derivatives https://www.scorpion-engineering.co.uk/Mercia

Russ Maddock's Web site http://www.sunbeam.org.au

Andy Murkins's Web site http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andymurkin/Hillman/Hillman.html

Tony Taylor's Web site http://www.hillmancar.com

Hillman Car Club of South Australia http://www.sa.hillman.org.au

Franka Steinhuis' site http://www.imps4ever.info for identification and information about Imps see

Fleet Data Web site http://www.fleetdata.co.uk/rootes.html for information on commercial vehicles

Howard Pettigrew's Commer and Karrier site http://www.commer.org.nz and http://www.commer.org.nz/new

Alan and Mary Lou Miles' Hillman site http://www.theseriesminxpages.com

Remy Theibaut's site http://www.gruporootes.org for the Spanish Rootes Group (you may need to wait a while).

The Association of Rootes Car Clubs (ARCC). Look here for information about affiliated clubs world wide. http://www.thearcc.co.uk

and for a nearly complete set of links, see: http://www.sa.hillman.org.au/Links.htm

Bert Clewit's home page also has lots of links (but quite a lot don't work any more): http://www.geocities.com/clewitsbert/cars.html

Allpar's Chrysler Corporation Web site: http://www.allpar.com

Tony Gardner's Alpine site: http://www.mamut.net/alpine/

Alec Morley's pre-War Hillman Web site: http://www.hillman16.wixsite.com/hillman-sixteen also on Wikipedia.

British and European Car Spotter's Guide: http://ucapusa.com/car_spotters_guide_europe_1939.htm

For pictures of classic Minx cars from 1921-1939 see Frank Parson's Web site: http://www.classichillman.co.uk.

Shahin Armin's photo stream on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/shahins/, and his blog http://www.paykanhunter.com/.

Classic Car Catalogue http://www.classiccarcatalogue.com/.

What's a Hillman Web site: http://www.whatsahillman.com/.

Sunbeam Venezia Web site built by Hans Visser and Robert Jaarsma: http://www.sunbeamvenezia.com.

Winlinton Garage (Alan Ramsay): http://www.winlinton.co.uk/history.htm.

"Preserving the past for the future."
Rootes Heritage, Unit 15 Apollo Office Park, Ironstone Lane, Wroxton, Banbury, Oxon OX15 6AY, UK

The Rootes Archive Centre is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales number 1108882.
Patrons: Lord Rootes, T.D. Rootes, W.B. Rootes.

This document can best viewed with any browser

Web site developed and maintained by R.J. Allan
"Hand Knitted Software" 2005-18

Comments on and contributions to the Web site should be send to Bob Allan (e-mail).

Page last modified: Sunday, 12-Sep-2021 14:31:42 CEST