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Should I? [1969 Sunbeam Arrow, aka Hillman Hunter]

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Sherlock

Sherlock

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A local guy wants to get rid of his old 1969 Sunbeam Arrow, he's pretty much ready to give it away (literally). It runs the 1725cc Rootes Group engine, it has very high mileage (325,000 miles) but has been well maintained thoughout by this guy and much of that mileage is from weekly highway driving - he has owned it for many years and may even be the original owner, he says it still runs very well, and he told me that the only thing that needs to be done to it is some sill work (actually... if I go with collectors insurance, here in Alberta I probably won't even need a safety)

Picture of the exact car he is talking about:

SunbeamArrow.jpg


I'm thinking about it, I'm a little leery about the high mileage but at the proposed price...
 
Re: Should I? [1969 Sunbeam Arrow]

Dunno, James...It has 4 door's kinda boxy, Right up your alley, However I know nothing about them, Looks like it could use a bit more than Just sill work, Unless Canadian for sill work means alot of rust?!?
Good luck
 
Re: Should I? [1969 Sunbeam Arrow]

Looking at the pic, If you are smitten I would offer up to $500 Cdn.
Im sure you know what you want and know what to look for, I think its growing on me, Its not a bad looking car...Just stay away from the Scoobie in the background /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nonod.gif
Once again Good luck /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grouphug.gif
 
Re: Should I? [1969 Sunbeam Arrow]

Hello Sherlock,
I had to look at this post to see what a Sunbeam Arrow is, as I have never heard of it. I can see what is known as Hillman Hunter here in the UK. (Actually Rootes used to rally these internationally)

I echo what others have said, a bit more than sill work, the bonnet and front valance are not good and the old story of tips of icebergs apply, I think.

Good luck.

Alec
 
Re: Should I? [1969 Sunbeam Arrow]

Of course I'll take a much closer look before making any decisions... He even indicated that he may be willing to give it away for free if it's going to a "good home"... At the point where the engine and car is (very high mileage) it probably wouldn't be worth doing an extensive restoration, just simply to get it roadworthy and see how much longer it lasts, if I line up collectors insurance all I would need is an appraisal not a vehicle safety
 
Re: Should I? [1969 Sunbeam Arrow]

Offer "free" and take it!!!!!

Bruce
 
Re: Should I? [1969 Sunbeam Arrow]

Plunge in James. Get it as cheap as you possibly can, and drive its wheels off.
 
Re: Should I? [1969 Sunbeam Arrow]

If it's truely a give-away then why not. Sure it needs some work, but if it's near free then why worry. If you decide its too far gone to work with you'll have little or nothing invested.
 
Re: Should I? [1969 Sunbeam Arrow]

go for it! I got around an appraisal on my Spitfire since it wasn't worth a great deal - just had to take some pictures (shouldn't be too hard for you) and give them a value number.
 
Re: Should I? [1969 Sunbeam Arrow]

I think Canadian for sill work means every bit of sheet metal from your knees down. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif

Go ahead and buy it, give it a few more years before retirement.

P.
 
Re: Should I? [1969 Sunbeam Arrow]

Get it! Why not? (if it's free or nearly so)
I had a Plymouth Cricket (a twin of this car) and it handled well and was a sturdy car. If it runs good, the mileage isn't that critical.
I had a lot of "imperfect" cars in my early years and they taught me a lot. If it needs a bit of work, consider it part of your "LBC education".
I know you are looking for a "starter car" in the area of British sedans...this seems ideal.
 
Re: Should I? [1969 Sunbeam Arrow]

My first car was a Hunter and it was absolutely bulletproof. I'd say go for it.

By the way, the Arrow/Hunter and the Cricket/Avenger aren't really twins. The Hunter was really an update on the old Minx, while the Avenger was a completely new design. Apart from the odd ancillary item, they share nothing in common. Completely new floorpan, completely new engine.
 
Re: Should I? [1969 Sunbeam Arrow]

If I were in your shoes, and the car was local or near enough that long travel or transport costs were not a problem, I'd take it. If the car's free, I wouldn't even question taking it. If it's a bad car or too much to take on, you can find ways of getting rid of it.
 
Re: Should I? [1969 Sunbeam Arrow]

James ......I know you are dying to get yourself into something classic but with limited funds and mechanical skills, let alone somewhere to work on it, i would still wait for a bit and find something a little better mechanically that you can just drive ...............That said if it is free and running then you have little to lose do you, but only if it is road worthy and you don't have to certify it...........Good luck Sherlock
 
Re: Should I? [1969 Sunbeam Arrow]

Watch out for the main bearings on this motor. We had an Alpine badged Sunbeam Rapier of the same vintage and I was forever going through the "big ends".
 
teddyc said:
did you buy it?
Click to expand...
He didn't. Sherlock pokes his head in occasionally - particularly with lovely photos. Note - the thread is 18 years old.

:cheers:
 
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