Classic Rootes Group cars, vans & lorries - 120 photos of Hillman, Humber, Commer, Sunbeam cars etc

Photos of classic Rootes Group cars, vans & lorries (Hillman, Humber, Singer, Sunbeam, Talbot, Commer & Karrier) make up this photo selection. All of the old vehicles featured were photographed by myself over many years, at motor museums, classic car shows, road runs and so on. In the world of classic cars here in the UK, Rootes-era cars don't tend to have the following of cars from the likes of BMC and Ford, yet arguably are just as interesting - if not more so - than their more popular rivals in vehicle preservation today.
Hillman Minxes and Humber Hawks are probably the most oft-encountered Rootes-era cars at shows today, and several of each from different eras feature in this classic car compilation.
The Rootes Group empire was built over many years, with separate motor manufacturers gradually absorbed under its control. Some were taken over pre-war, others in the 1950s. All of the vehicles shown here are from the eras that their respective makes were under the Rootes ownership (1930s-1970s), give or take a year or so depending on the individual car, van or lorry shown.
Amongst the 120 photos, you'll find one or more of the following makes and models:
Classic Hillmans:
1950s/1960s Hillman Minx saloons (plus convertible), Foursome Drophead Coupe (DHC), Minx Mk2, Imp (inc Imp California), Minx Californian, Super Minx (inc convertible), Husky
Classic Humbers:
Humber Super Snipe (various), Hawk (saloon & estate), 16/60, Sceptre, Snipe Pullman Limousine, WW2 staff car
Classic Sunbeam-Talbots & Talbots:
Sunbeam-Talbot 90 (saloon & DHC), 10hp, 3 Litre, Alpine
Classic Sunbeams:
Sunbeam Vogue, Imp Sport, Rapier (inc Fastback), Harrington Le Mans, Alpine, Tiger
Classic Singers:
Singer Chamois (saloon & coupe), Vogue (saloon & estate), Gazelle, Roadster
Classic Commer lorries:
Commer Superpoise etc, Imp 5cwt van, Q4, Ecurie Ecosse transporter, Q25 van, crewbus
Many of the car model names (such as the Minx, the Snipe, and the Hawk) were in use for many many years, and examples of various different versions of each model name feature in this classic car photo compilation.
If you're a fan of Rootes Group history, and classic cars in general, please say hello in the comments and consider subscribing to the channel.
To see all the classic car videos now on the channel, please see the homepage:
/ @oldclassiccaruk
Thanks for watching.
#rootesgroup #classiccars #hillman

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Hi, thanks for watching, to see all the old-car (plus van, lorry etc) videos on the Old Classic Car channel, please visit the homepage: kzbin.info/door/KaTg9fPUvmUQi94FcnDbrg

[@johnwhipp9471]

Being a retired Rootes mechanic I much enjoyed that thanks.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Hi really pleased it was of interest!! thanks for watching

[@jjefferyworboys8138]

Really enjoyable brought back many memories. It's such a shame that all these wonderfully British iconic names have disappeared.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Hi thanks for watching, yes they've all disappeared now but at least they're not forgotten! More videos due soon

[@Vince_uk]

👍 In 1973 I bought a 1963 Humber Super Snipe, twin headlights. It was a wonderful machine.

[@brianwallace1419]

Thank you. I just loved that . I worked for Rootes in Melbourne Australia [ my first job ] In the 1960s up until Chrysler took over and then closed down. I am still grinning with pleasure and nostalgia.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

That's great to hear, thanks for supporting the channel

[@normanbott]

I remember my senior school physics teacher Mr Lauckner having a 1952 Humber super snipe like FDY 281. I never forgot that shape. Had a lift home in it once, a superbly comfortable car. Thanks for posting this. Never had a Sunbeam despite my grandfather being in charge of the "Experimental Shop" at Sunbeam in Wolverhampton . According to my late mum, he drove a Renault, as do I !

[@rontrautmann1934]

This was a trip down memory lane

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Thanks for watching

[@Fintoman]

I really enjoy the compendium of individual marques that you put together. Thanks for posting, appreciate the time and effort you put into these.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Thanks for the feedback, yes they take a while to put together but it's interesting re-visiting photos of shows we've been to in years gone by :-)

[@rogerwoodhouse7945]

I bought a 1956 Sunbeam Rapier in 1962 I really wanted the Talbut but couldnt afford it.My Rapier went the way of all of them it seems.Rusted away.

[@simonprodhan5050]

great video, love the old rootes group, fantastic cars, vans and lorries, even in the classic era they stood out, marvellous! thank you

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Thanks for watching!

[@johnlong8082]

Great to see this array of wonderful photos. Tinged with sadness that these vehicle makes are now mostly all deceased. What a shame. Still, thanks for posting, very enjoyable.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Cheers John, thanks for watching

[@lissuh1141]

Nice to see my very first car in here! RVO229 or 'Harvey' - had him when I was a teenager in the very end of the 80s 😍

[@ramishrambarran3998]

Thank you very much. I am 66 years old and remember a lot of these vehicles. Very nostalgic. Respect. Trinidad & Tobago.

[@manuelstarr3602]

Thanks again, they'll never die. 🥂

[@davidcoleman6032]

Rootes certainly made some nice cars in their group, if I had the choice of only 1, I think I would go for the 1959 Super snipe.Great collection many thanks!🙂👍

[@barryhill1044]

So many to chose from but the 1959 Snipe must be near the top ...

[@gerardfoo7336]

Thank you for the classic cars of the colonial days.Sun never set over the British Empire.Memory of my childhood England was invincible,super & mighty.To day you can see ,the sun rise is the. East ,sunset in the West.Thank you,God. Saves the Queen. !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@PRDowding]

A great collection of pictures, took me back to my youth. One in particular made me laugh was the Hillman Imp AA Van. My first car was a 1966 Imp which was somewhat un reliable. When the engine was hot it would not start on the key ,you had to bump start it. I can imagine the poor AA patrol man in that van spending as much time getting his van to start as assisting motorists broken down on the side of the road.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Ha great memories, thanks for sharing

[@raylarkin5004]

My grandfather bought new a 1960 hillman minx and had it for 10 years. My neighbor had 57 to 61 Singers, Hillmans and Ralieghs. And one 59 morris minor. (His yard was filled with them (maybe 10 or 12) I really enjoy these posts!

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Pleased that you're liking these uploads, thanks

[@lesliejohn5542]

Ahh the memories, I once worked For Nightingale Motors Wanstead and Heath Park Motor company Romford. Nice to see the Survivors,

[@Peter-lm3ic]

In 1962 I bought a new Hillmam Minx 111C. My pride and joy! To drive it was a very predictable car going into bends the near side used to rise which was interesting and with drum brakes pumping was the norm. The severe winter of 1963 when snow and ice lasting to March it was a delight sliding around bends, became quite an expert. In 1965 bought a Hillman Minx Mk5 with 5 bearing crankshaft and disc brakes. A nice car but never quite the same as the 111c but generally an improvement. Happy days indeed!

[@oldclassiccarUK]

I remember that my A40 with its skinny wheels was also quite good in the snow

[@neilforbes416]

7:00 A laundary van...... looks like it's "all washed up"!...............aw come on, at least that was a "clean" joke! LOL

[@ratty383]

Another very enjoyable and informative vid, as usual I’ve learnt something, this time that later Super Snipes had different roofline/rear window treatment. It’s also clear that BLMC weren’t the only British manufacturers to make use of extensive badge engineering ! Many thanks.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Thanks for checking this one out!

[@Turitea]

Very enjoyable. I learnt to drive in a 1950 Singer SM 1500 and at one time considered buying a 1954 Singer Hunter but it was too slow for me!

[@oldclassiccarUK]

I couldn't find my photos of a Singer Hunter or SM saloon at the time of putting the video together unfortunately.

[@paulbennell3313]

You'd have thought I was watching a firework display with all the ooh-ing and aah-ing I was doing!

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Rootes really did produce some great looking car, especially in the 1950s and early 1960s IMO, thanks for watching as always

[@jamesmalcolmdixon9592]

My family owned 2 RAPIERS, 2 HILLMAN MINK, SINGER GAZELLE -loved every minute of them all . Still member of the Rapier and Talbet owners clubs . Don’t own one now , but large number of all Rootes model cars in

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Thanks for checking out this compilation, I'll be publishing a Rootes Group show video later in the year

[@greerbox]

A lovely vlog. I had the Sunbeam Rapier and thought I was so cool with front and rear side windows wound down. Almost like a convertible but with a roof for UK weather 😋 In one of your previous vlogs you were saying you could do with a more useable family car? The Humber Super Snipe Estate at the beginning of the vlog would be ideal. I love Humber’s. The Commer Q25 is a rarity, never seen one even in pictures. Could be a base for a Mad Max conversion 🤪 Out of interest, when Junior is old enough, what is his desire? Obviously within his (your) affordability 😂 My very first car was an Austin A40 Devon in 1964. It cost me £10. The insurance was £12.2&6 😳. Even in those days insurance out paced the cost of the car 😂😂😂

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Pleased to read that it was of interest, I agree those big Humber estates would make for a fantastic regular user, if you can find one that's in good order. I'm not sure what junior sees himself in, initially he'll probably have cheap runaround but whether he could insure anything classic, I'm not sure??

[@trevordeane3940]

Very good,love Rootes cars

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Thanks for watching!

[@williamhumberhawk8187]

Nice. I have 1961 Humber Hawk Series II

[@leonshackleford9585]

My Favourite Cars Rootes Talbot Hillman Chrysler Humber of All Time

[@scootermantimaru]

Very nice. Great to hear you pronounce coupe correctly too.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Ha thanks!

[@justice4g]

picked up a 66 Hillman Gazelle recently similar to the Singer at 1:57, I hadn't even heard of Rootes Group before

[@VADOC02]

one of the things I enjoy about slide shows are the backgrounds, for example a Marcos 3 liter, DKW ( could have been audi) and trabant!! As an American though, I have always been confused with Rootes group cars, they are rare here , and I have difficulty with sunbeams and hilmans, espcially minx and super snipe. Of course alpine and imps are rather distinctive. after they were named Talbots i was even more confused And we got the plymouth cricket!!

[@nouvalari]

Great collection.1725 Sceptic for sale at Anglia car auctions circa 1970. You wanted a useable classic?

[@MizTori]

Nice video. I’m in US and own a 1959 Singer Gazelle LCx Convertible and a 1938 Australian Hillman Minx Roadster.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Cool, sound like a great pair of cars

[@a11csc]

super collection

[@11carbuff19572011]

I spotted XYV 819 in the video somewhere. That 1959 Humber Super Snipe belongs to Josh, who is Steph Holloway's boyfriend no less. There's even a video somewhere on YT with Steph test driving the car.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Thanks for watching, I don't remember offhand where it was that I photographed that Humber

[@loveisall5520]

As a small child in Texas, I can still remember the first time I saw an original Alpine: Elizabeth Taylor drove a red one with a black hardtop, opposite Lawrence Harvey with his enormous gray Mercedes 300 in "Butterfield 8". For many years I had no idea what it was. By the time I saw a new Alpine at a Houston auto show, they'd chopped the fins off! My preference to this day would be a Mk III...

[@RetroToonsOfficial]

Awesome

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Thanks!

[@allanriches9381]

The Humber especially the Super Snipe and Hawkes were always nice cars, very manager level cars. The Humber 16/60 is a cracking car, that would be my choice. Shame the Rootes group no longer exists as they as a group had some wonderful cars, and a very varied range of cars.

[@mattaikay925]

very sad - lovely well made cars

[@calumhunter815]

Been trying to re-find an image for a good few years. Uffa Fox designed keelboat (Flying Fifteen). It does exist and is a mono of a Hawk or Snipe, diy rack, hull on the roof, keel in the boot (flat springs). He used the Humber to race and market his boat around Europe. (He gifted one to Philip, called "Cowslip". I think she still exists.) Snipe or Hawk?

[@rogerrobinson796]

A great showing. I haven't seen what I am looking for. It was a Humber, left hand drive, possibly a late 50's or 60's, 4dr, 6 cyl in line, run like a charm. You could pt a quarter on top of the engine and it wouldn't move at idling. Nice almost like leather seats. Sold in Canada I think.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Hi, glad you liked it, so was it a Canada-only model or just a UK car that happened to be exported to CA?

[@rogerrobinson796]

@@oldclassiccarUK It was made for Canada or U.S.A.

[@adamknopp6631]

Missing my sunbeam Holbay rapier fastback . White with an orange stripe, Rostyle wheels and spoiler boot lid. 4 speed with over drive. Last I checked, 16 on the road.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Fastback Rapiers are very rare full stop, I struggled to find any photos but managed a few after trawling through several thousand pics!!

[@adamknopp6631]

@@oldclassiccarUK yes, which is why I sold it. When. I found out the rarity, I felt guilty it not being garaged. I read a great Review of it against the Ford Capri (which killed it off) the sunbeam coming out on top, but not enough to save the company. Apparently, Holbay was interested in developing the engine for police persuit cars in the hillman hunter.

[@neilforbes416]

If a Singer car can sing, then the Hummer(Humvee) can only hum 'cause it has forgotten the words of the song! LOL

[@RideCamVids]

Such great cars, however not one Arrow bodied Hillman Hunter was in the list.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

No Hunter? maybe a Minx? I can think of a blue one that does the local shows, perhaps it made it into one or two of the other photo compilations. Thanks for watching

[@chrisdavies6571]

Would like to hear more about humber imperials

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Hi, thanks for watching, a few years ago I went to look over a 60s Imperial (vinyl roof, adjustable rear dampers etc) but too much for me to take on

[@chrisdavies6571]

@@oldclassiccarUK had a burnt out engine bay one once got it running as well but the owner of the scrapyard I worked in wouldn't sell it

[@mariospacagna2132]

Years ago I had an old Humber Super Snipe I cannot remember the model or the year. I think in was 1950's it had a long boot and a glass partition

[@oldclassiccarUK]

I like those, early 1950s in date.

[@1963Nicholas]

Much disliked by a single F**d driver methinks? Huge thanks for the fab vid of all you Rootes stuff: well done!

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Can't please everyone :-) thanks for watching!

[@alunwilliams1191]

I am also a retired Rootes mechanic what about the hillman hunter

[@abbasvahanvaty6800]

Surprisingly not a single Hillman Minx from 1950 to 1954.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Hi, only because I've never seen one at a show. Don't worry though, there are several period photos of early Minxes on the main site, ie here: www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/hillman.htm

[@ShockWaveGamings234fg321f]

I'm upset, you missed the humber super snipe mk4, best humber made😣

[@michaeltreadwell777]

What exactly is a 2 stroke diesel ? You describe the 1966 Commer Lorry as this ???????????????????????????

[@oldclassiccarUK]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commer_TS3

[@michaeltreadwell777]

@@oldclassiccarUK WELL, I've never heard of such a thing - fascinating - thanks for the link - I thought you might have gone crazy ! Keep up the brilliant work :-)

[@jonathangriffin1120]

@@michaeltreadwell777 The sound of a Commer TS3 'Stroker' on full song is something that should not be missed by anybody, when I was at school in the early sixties the A361 ran right past the school before the Frome bypass was built, heard plenty of Commers plus the more mellow Fodens. Gardner 6LW and 6LX engines had the deep purr that made the windows vibrate.

[@Gottenhimfella]

The most common 2-stroke diesels (and they were dirt common at one time) are the "Detroit Diesels" originally made by GM ("Jimmies" in trucker or commercial boat vernacular). Their key selling points were high power to weight and reliability. Their chief disadvantage was their terrible (or wonderful, depending on viewpoint) racket. The two most widely used series were the 71 and the 92 (cubic inches per cylinder). Models varied from 1-71 (single cylinder 71 cu in) through 6-71(6 cyl inline, 426cu in) to 24V-92 (V24, 2208 cu in, or 36 litres). The 6-71 (despite being new and relatively untried) helped win the Second World War, powering tanks, trucks, landing craft, generators, road-building equipment and any other use soldiers could contrive. At its height of military production, engines were coming off the assembly line at approximately 6000 units per month, amounting to 3/4 of the diesels sent from the US to WW2. A supercharger or two to forced fresh air into the cylinders and helped scavenge the exhaust (Later, turbos, as many as four per engine) In 1965, GM reorganized that part of their organisation into the Detroit Diesel Engine Division, and in 1967 they celebrated building their 1,000,000th engine. In 2000, Detroit Diesel was bought by DaimlerChrysler who merged it with MTU (marine engines). The 2 stroke diesels are no longer made, as compliance with modern emissions regulations is not viable.

[@MrGeeyess]

No Avengers! Presumably they have all rotted away. I had an Avenger estate (RBD 148M) that I christened an 'Isopon' Avenger because it was at least 50% fibreglass patchings. I also part owned two Talbot and Sunbeam occasional 4 seat sports cars from 1936 and 1937. They were built before the marque was amalgamated to 'Sunbeam Talbot' They were identical except for the grilles. Both had a propensity to snap their half shafts. Too much power (3 litre I think!) for the engineering.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

I always associated Avengers (perhaps incorrectly) as being post-Rootes era, they rarely seem to pop up at any shows I go to so few made it into my collection of photos. Did you watch the vids I put up a few months ago about the '37 Talbot 3 Litre I had until not long ago? Thanks for watching

[@izziebon]

The Avenger and Horizon era was dismal; nasty cars!

[@neilforbes416]

The *correct* names for the four basic body types of cars are: 1) Sedan. 2) Station Wagon. 3) Panel Van. 4)Utility["Ute" as dubbed by us Australians, as we *invented* that type of car).

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Well it depends where you are, here in the UK it is saloon, estate, van, pickup

[@neilforbes416]

@@oldclassiccarUK As far as "Pick-Up" goes, that's an American term. but as Australia invented the *Ute,* we have naming rights!

[@Gottenhimfella]

@@neilforbes416 Do you also have to assume the god-given right to decide what Brits should call their own car body types? Usually Aussies are only overbearing dicks to their Trans-Tasman cuzzies, who are used to it. But most Brits are probably not going to call you on it... I guess it's called "breeding"

[@picnz1]

I really would appreciate a different soundtrack PLEASE

[@neilforbes416]

9:15 That's not a station wagon(correct name for what you're calling "estate"), it is, in fact a panel van as it appears to have only the front seats(driver & passenger). Station wagons have a rear bench seat and generally four doors.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

It is a two-door estate version of the Minx, called the Husky and based on the body of the Commer Cob van, with added rear seat and windows. The vehicle shown is in no way a panel van!!! You may call them station wagons, we in the UK do not. HTH. PS there was also a four-door estate version of the Minx, called ... the Estate.

[@tonydurack6841]

@@oldclassiccarUK gosh!... Wot lovely vlogs! 😉

[@grahamwhite8975]

No Hillman Hunters?

[@jonathangriffin1120]

No Peykans either?

[@tiplady44]

Worked in a Roots dealership in 1970 ,then it changed to ford

[@jeffking4176]

🚗📻🙂

[@markfiges999]

I was never a Rootes fan (and they rusted too much) but that's just a personal opinion, ......however the Art Deco Rootes Garage in Maidstone was a ''landmark' of my childhood Ref ;- kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5W6i6akmsaml5o

[@oldclassiccarUK]

There's an old Rootes garage in mid-Wales too, see www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/garage-llandrindod.htm

[@markfiges999]

@@oldclassiccarUK Another beauty, ..........and you can't mention Llandrindod Wells without citing ''The Automobile Palace'' (where I bought petrol in the mid 70's) www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4910941