Hillman Avenger
The Hillman Avenger was a February 1970 in Ryton -on- Dunsmore and later in Linwood, near Glasgow, Great Britain produced, rear-wheel drive midsize car by the vehicle manufacturer of the British car manufacturer Rootes. The vehicle was driven initially published under the Rootes Group company brand Hillman, from 1976 it was called the Chrysler Avenger and 1979 Talbot Avenger. On some continental European markets, the car was finally temporarily sold as Sunbeam Avenger. South American Chrysler subsidiaries produced the Avenger years license.
- 7.1 Hillman Avenger
- 7.2 Chrysler Avenger
- 7.3 Talbot Avenger
History of development
The Avenger was developed from 1966 as a successor to the Hillman Minx under the code name B -car and should be a modern, compact and economical alternative in the middle class. He stepped in the market segment in addition to the models produced since 1966, the Arrow family ( Hillman Hunter, etc.) which, in technique and style was slightly larger but more conservative. Competing products from other brands were the Ford Cortina, Morris Marina and Vauxhall Viva.
Technically, the Avenger was a complete rewrite. He took no technical components from other cars of the Rootes Group, although some details -oriented conceptual models to others. The Avenger had a self-supporting body. The front wheels were independently suspended and connected to coil springs. Rear was used a live axle.
The design was developed under the direction of Roy Axe. Unlike the models of the Arrow- family whose form emphasizes sober turned out, the design team deliberately oriented on American taste. Already the first designs showed a so-called Coke -bottle flies, so a bulge over the rear wheels, which passed into the trunk line.
When the car came out in February, 1970, the British Motor Presse provided him with good reviews for its handling, which presented the Morris Marina competitors in the shade.
Series
First series
The Avenger was to buy in the equipment lines DL, Super and GL. The models DL and Super were 1250 - available or 1500 cc engines, the GL but only with 1500 cc engine. The DL as the simplest model was fitted internally with rubber floor mats and a very simple dashboard with speedometer broadband. The Super was slightly better equipped and had carpets, armrests, a Zweiklangfanfare and reversing lights, but still the simple dashboard of the DL. The highest trim line GL had additional double headlights, a lever to open the trunk lid from the passenger compartment, windscreen wipers with two speeds, brushed nylon cover for the seats and a dashboard with round instruments.
Not only the design of the Avenger was new, but its engines and transmissions, which corresponded to those of the larger model Hunter. Also new was the first plastic grille in the UK. In the 1970s, the Avenger selling well despite the competition of the Ford Escort and Vauxhall Viva.
In October 1970, the Avenger GT was introduced. He had a 1500 cc engine with twin carburettors and a manual four-speed transmission or on request a three-step automatic. The GT had side strips on the doors and wheel covers made of plastic.
As of February 1972, there was the Avenger as a fleet vehicle with two engine variants, but is easier ( authorities ) equipment. For example, lacked the passenger seat, the sun visor. Later, there was also this vehicle on demand with automatic transmission.
In March 1972, the 5- door wagon in the equipment lines DL and Super, also with two engine variants. In October of the same year the Avenger GLS replaced with vinyl roof and sport wheels the GT.
From March 1973 2-door sedans were also offered.
Avenger Tiger
At the same time appeared the Avenger Tiger, whose concept should remember the Sunbeam Tiger. 4-door Super Avenger received the GT engine with 1.5 liter displacement, it with a new cylinder head with larger valves and a compression ratio of 9.4: 1 in, and Weber carbs to 92.5 bhp (68 kW) 6.100/min. brought. The suspensions were reinforced and taken the brakes, the rear axle and the transmission of the GT. The typical color of this car included matte black hood and rear end plates and side stripes bearing the " Avenger Tiger " on the rear fenders. But there were also other colors. The car accelerated in 8.9 seconds from 0-100 km / h, reaching a top speed of 173 km / h Those were better performance than the Ford Escort Mexico, but the fuel consumption was correspondingly high. All Avenger Tiger were assembled by the Chrysler Competitions Centre; There were about 200 pieces from the Mk I.
In October 1972, the Avenger Tiger Mk II was released. This time we used the body of the GL model with dual headlights. Mechanically this car corresponded to the Mk I, but had no more scoop on the hood and changed seats and wheels. Of the vehicles available only in yellow and red with black ornaments created about 400 pieces.
Second series
In October 1973, both engines were revised. From 1.25 ltr. - Machine was a 1.3 ltr, 1.5 ltr from. . - Engine is a 1.6 ltr. The simply furnished fleet models fell away. The models were now called " Avenger 1300 " or " 1600 Avenger ", and all trim levels (DL, Super and GCB) were combined with two engine variants and 2 - or 4 -door sedan or 5- door station wagon available.
Chrysler Avenger
After a facelift in 1976, in which the Avenger got a new grille and a new dashboard and lost the distinctive L-shaped taillights, the car was sold as the Chrysler Avenger.
Chrysler Sunbeam and Talbot Sunbeam Lotus
1977 hatchback variant was introduced as a Chrysler Sunbeam. It was built on the shortened floorpan of the Avenger and should be used as a competitive vehicle in the " supermini " class. Initially, there were three engines: 928 cc (derived from the Hillman Imp), 1300 cm ³ ( Avenger ) and 1600 cc ( Avenger ). Soon there was also a sporty " Ti " version with 1600 cc.
This was a throwback to the Rootes Sunbeam brand, the last model Rapier had been discontinued shortly before.
1979 Chrysler Sunbeam Lotus was unveiled. The car was developed in collaboration with Lotus and had a 2172 cc - 155 bhp engine (114 kW). Even before the completion of the takeover came by Peugeot, and that was the new cars Talbot Sunbeam Lotus.
Talbot Avenger
1978 Chrysler Europe had to declare bankruptcy and was taken over by Peugeot. The remaining models Avenger and Sunbeam Lotus were to Talbot Avenger and Talbot Sunbeam Lotus. In 1981, the production in England was set.
Export and license production
Chrysler wanted to make the Avenger a " world car " and marketed it in the U.S. as a Plymouth Cricket. Actions of the U.S. customer about the unreliability and rust susceptibility of the already unpopular " small car " led after two years to adjust this model.
In Australia and parts of Europe, the car was sold as Sunbeam Avenger and Sunbeam as 1250/1500. In South Africa they built engines of Peugeot and selling the result as a Dodge.
Chrysler do Brasil produced the Model 1971 to 1980 as Dodge 1500 ( 1.6 liter displacement ) and Dodge 1800 ( 1.8 liters, in Argentina Dodge 1500M ) in a slightly different design with larger bumpers, quad headlights, taillights plainer and larger engines. From 1977, after a facelift in the style of the Chrysler Avenger Dodge Polara as the vehicle was (not to be confused with the U.S. model ) respectively. When Volkswagen 1980, the South African production of Dodge took over, the name was retained until 1982, accompanied by the words "made by Volkswagen Argentina". The last facelift in 1982 brought the renaming of the popular as a taxi model in VW 1500 under the slogan " Con una garantía alemana " (no relation to the eponymous German VW model type 3), which was maintained until the end of production in 1990.