1970 London-Mexico World Cup Rally Hillman Hunter.

Introducing my World Cup Rally Hillman hunter.
in 1970, this privately entered car and a crew of 3 brave men from a small village in Wales, completed the 16000 mile rally from London to Mexico City, finishing in 15th place.
#classiccars
#rallycar
#hillman
#wales

[@johngrantham8024]

My first car was a Hunter shape 1967 Singer Vogue. Made me a confirmed Rootes man. I then had 1970 Sunbeam Vogue which was a straight rebadge. When that died, I got a 1963 Humber Hawk which was built out of railway girders and ships side steel! God it was solid. My last Rootes was a 1971 Humber Sceptre. The ultimate of the Hunter shape. It was a great car for its era!

[@timharris6835]

Great story with Hillman, I had two Safari wagons, I restored both I always wondered what they were like with twin Webers and some tuned parts, hearing your car made me smile. Well done in getting that one back together, the wiring loom would have been a real challenge. Thanks for posting

[@philpoole5670]

My dad had the Hunter 1725 GL cracking car to drive and reliable

[@iandeumayne-jones1557]

What a terrific video and awesome story. Impressive preparation for a brutal event. I thoroughly enjoyed this video. Thanks so much for your work.

[@leslieaustin151]

Amazing car, wonderful story, great video. Thank you. That brought back memories! I drove my friends and girlfriend in my dad’s car down to a motorway bridge (over the M20 I think) so we could watch all the cars go by early in their journey. I always liked the “Hillman” entries, thought they really looked the business, didn’t know about the Singer story though! After the rally a local driver came to the school where my girlfriend (now wife) taught, to show all the pupils his car, a prototype Ford Escort Mexico. Happy days! You’ve done a great job on the car (as did Joe at Wurks!). Thanks for keeping a bit of real motoring history going. Thanks again. Great stuff. Les

[@rolandjones5832]

What a fantastic car , I'm from the area of west Wales where the crew come from and their achievement is still talked about with high regard . You may have already done it , but I couldn't see the crews names on the car , please add them those guys are local legends in the teifi valley .

[@lesklower7281]

The Hillman Hunter my father had one and l drove it a couple of times and the Hillman Hunter won the first London to Sydney marathon l owned a couple Hillmans myself and in Australia we never got the Singer in Australia we had the Hillman Gazzelle because Singer got a bad reputation for unreliability so no Singers the Singer Vouge us the Humber Vouge and we got the Hillman Royal 660 which was the plush version of the Singer because it came with the wood dash board and the wood trim on too of the doors and l wondered why you fitted the tachometer then l saw you had the triple gauges in the round surround because on the Royal 660 that was a tachometer also the show the Austin Maxi rally car l have seen one of the crew from the rally interviewed about the rally she was quite informative that was on another you tube channel and they nick named the Maxi "Puff" because it didn't have any and that 1959 Hillman Minx rally car back in the days when you just used a standard no modifications as for your Singer it had a spare ignition coil and all those relays they would have been for all the lights because they drove those cars 24 hours didn't stop same asthe London to Sydney marathon because they had ten days racing to cover 10000 miles the rally driver in those days make today's rally drivers look like pansies great video

[@robbending3848]

Brilliant work and a well-told story. I have a soft spot for the Rootes Arrows, having had an H-reg Minx and then an N-reg Humber Sceptre. I hadn't realised Joe had resurrected that wiring, tho'! Amazeballs!

[@whatsintheworkshop4478]

Thanks Rob! I also have a 1963 Superminx awaiting attention, so there will be further routes content to come!

[@Wig-mp7pf]

@@whatsintheworkshop4478*cough*1962*cough*

[@p.istaker8862]

Bloody Hill-man ! Great car and video.

[@leuvenlife]

Ooh those cars in the advert at @02:45 .. I want them all at those prices, starting with the Lotus Sunbeam!

[@Roger.Coleman1949]

Brilliant vlog , and well done for saving such an historic car and maintaining it as original as much as possible .Seem to recall , was it ' 69 when a Hillman Hunter was entered with an MKV -G number and won ?.Recall seeing it on display at a Northampton rally a year or two later. Thought I might see MCE 7G , the famous Maxi, sponsored by supplying dealer Marshall's of Cambridge with the late and very talented tuner supremo Peter B , entered by 3 ladies and think currently owned by one of them ( Bronwyn ? ) .A mate subsequently owned it and recall going to a Stock car race in it , was so comfortable with the uprated reclining seats and had a built in Hydrolastic suspension pump ! , acryllic side windows. He uprated it to 1750 but was 1500 on the rally, known as Puff the magic wagon as it was a bit short on power ! .Glad Joe of Wurks sorted you out , a very talented guy !.

[@whatsintheworkshop4478]

Yep, Bron was there with Puff yesterday. Since she has been reunited with it, she's been constantly doing things with it. Always good to see it out.

[@davidrobertthomas1515]

How can I contact you? The car was built by my uncle Washington James. I thought until seeing this video the car had gone for ever. I’d love to see the car again. My father wrote a book about the history of the village of Cenarth and included an article about the car. I’d be delighted to send you a copy! Uncle Washi was a very well known tenor singer in Wales if you wish to hear his voice it’s on youtube type his name and you’ll get it. My uncle would tune cars by using his voice he’d sing to them! People would bring cars to his garage from as far as Birmingham to be tuned. Needless to say I adored him. To have further information about the car his children still live in the village and would be delighted I’m sure to help you. Best wishes and thanks a million for restoring the 83. Diolch o galon!

[@whatsintheworkshop4478]

Hi David. I'm so glad you found this video! I have just added an email address so you can contact me. [e-mail] Please feel free to drop me an email, I'd love to hear from you.

[@robmccartney7818]

I had a replica model of this with all the bits on. Was it a Corgi?...

[@whatsintheworkshop4478]

The replica was Corgi. But that was the London Sydney car. Very similar though!