The Rootes Group

Seven Classic Brands Under One Company

Brothers William and Reginald Rootes began selling cars in the UK after WW1, becoming the largest vehicle distributor in the country by 1928. Around that time, they decided to manufacture their own cars by buying up well-known brands, beginning with Humber, Commer and Hillman. Karrier Motors and Clement-Talbot were added in 1937 and Sunbeam in 1938, with Sunbeam and Clement-Talbot merged to form Sunbeam Talbot. Finally, Singer was added to the Rootes portfolio in 1955. The Rootes brothers organised the companies to complement each other's model ranges rather than taking market share from one another.

By the end of WW2, one in every 100 British civilians worked for,

or in the name of, the Rootes Group.

Rootes began assembling the Hillman Minx in Australia in 1946 and by 1954 held 5.4% of the Australian new car market. In 1960, at the height of production, Rootes had five manufacturing plants in the UK and nine plants in other countries, including at Port Melbourne in Victoria, where Hillman, Humber and Singer cars were built. Rootes Australia merged with Chrysler in December 1965 and the last Rootes-era vehicle produced at the Port Melbourne plant was the Hillman Hunter, in November 1972.

Hillman began as a bicycle manufacturer in Coventry in the 1880s, before launching its first motor car in 1907; the 24HP Hillman-Coatalen. This was followed by two other large capacity models (6.4 and 9.7 litres) built in small numbers, before launching the successful 9HP in 1913. Unfortunately, the next foray into a large, luxury model occurred in 1928 as the Great Depression hit, which severely impacted the company. At this point Rootes began its takeover of Hillman and the first 'all-Rootes' model, the Wizard, appeared in 1931. It was quickly followed by the more successful Minx, which formed the basis of Hillman's (and Rootes') success from that point. Other models included the 14, 16, 18, and Hawk which shared components with equivalent Humber models. The Minx changed to unibody construction in1939 and resumed production after WW2 with various model upgrades, including a new 1390cc OHV engine in 1955. A slightly larger 'Super Minx' variant was produced from 1961 until 1966, with the estate version running an extra year. A Hillman Husky estate car, originally derived from the Commer Cob delivery van was produced between 1954 and 1970. In 1960 Rootes' plans for Hillman focussed on an all new, rear-engine small car – the Hillman Imp. The Imp launched in 1963, however it was beset by manufacturing, industrial and early reliability problems and was forced to compete against the all-conquering Mini Minor. The Hillman Hunter was a 'clean-sheet' design to replace the Minx. Introduced in 1966, with MacPherson strut front suspension, front disc brakes, 1725cc 4-cylinder engine and overdrive gearbox, it was a good-looking contemporary four door saloon that sold well in Australia, culminating in the brashly striped 1970 Hillman Hustler and of course the 1968 London-to-Sydney rally winner.

Hillman Minx

Humber Hawk

Humber listed as a company selling bicycles in 1887, showing its first cars in 1896, and moving into larger volumes with the Humber 8 and 12 in 1902 and a light-car, the Voiturette in 1903. Between the world wars, the Humber range spanned eight models from the 8/18 to the 20/65 and, through the acquisition of Commer in 1925, the commercial vehicle market. During WW2 the company made aircraft, aero engines, and the well-known Humber armoured vehicles and Super Snipe staff cars such as General Montgomery's 'Old Faithful' that he used in the field, and the 'Victory Car' used by Montgomery and Churchill for the VE parades. After the war, Humber's main offerings were the four-cylinder Hawk, with a Hillman-derived engine, and the six-cylinder Super Snipe. They were vehicles of choice for businessmen and government officials, not least for their well- appointed interiors and solid quality. Two open 4 door Pullman limousines, a landaulette, and saloons were used for the 1954 Royal Tour of Australia. The last Humber model was the Sceptre, which ceased production in 1976 with Chrysler's rebranding of Rootes' models.

Singer too started as a bicycle maker, moving into motorised transport in 1901 with a one-cylinder engine and fuel tank, completely contained in a spoked aluminium wheel. In 1902 Singer launched the first of its tricars and followed up with its first 4-wheel car, the 'Eight' in 1905. On leaving school in 1909, William Rootes was apprenticed to the Singer Car Company, leaving in 1913 to start his own car agency. Singer produced an incredible number of models; 17 distinct models before WW1 and 29 models between the wars, reducing to a range of eight models after WW2 until the acquisition by Rootes, and then further rationalisation to just three. By 1928, with models such as the Junior, Senior, and Six, Singer had become the third- biggest carmaker in Britain (after Austin and Morris). The distinctive aluminium-bodied 'Airstream' and successful 1-1/2 litre Le Mans being the highlights of the 1930's models. In 1936 Singer & Co Limited was dissolved and became

Singer Motors Limited, heralding the new range including the well-known Singer 9 Roadster and Bantam range of light 2-seater roadsters, and the SM1500 Saloon range. From late 1955, under Rootes ownership, the Singer brand focussed on upmarket family cars; the Gazelle, based on the Hillman Minx with upgraded trim, and the Vogue, based on the Super Minx with upgraded trim and twin headlamps. The Singer Chamois was a similarly upmarket version of the Hillman Imp.

Sunbeam, also a bicycle manufacturer, built its first motorised vehicle in 1899. This was followed in 1901 by the Sunbeam-Mabley, a rather unconventional two-seater, tiller-steered, single cylinder 2.75HP vehicle, of which about 130 were sold. From there, Sunbeam quickly moved onto larger, more conventional, and much more powerful vehicles with a distinct sporting flavour. By 1925 the 3-litre, twin cam Sunbeam Super Sports was entered at Le Mans, with one being driven by Henry Seagrave. Seagrave's association with the marque continued with the record-setting cars, culminating in the 1927 '1000HP Sunbeam' World Record car. In the late 1940's and early 1950's Rootes successfully rallied the Sunbeam-Talbot saloon with drivers such as Stirling Moss, including the 1952 Alpine Rally, which inspired the name for the Sunbeam Supreme Alpine, a two-seater open car based on the Sunbeam-Talbot saloon. With the introduction of the Rapier, a two-door hardtop based on the Hillman Minx body, this vehicle became the Sunbeam brand's rally winner. Sunbeam's most recognised shape today is probably the 1960's era Alpine and Tiger. Starting out as a 1494cc four cylinder in 1959, and heavily promoted by Rootes in films such as Butterfield 8 and James Bond Dr No and entry to major motor races such as Le Mans. The model was upgraded to 1592cc and then to a 1725cc five-bearing engine, before being more heavily modified to create the 4.2litre V8 Sunbeam Tiger in 1964, ostensibly for the American market. The final Rootes Sunbeam model was the stylish 2 door, pillarless fastback Rapier that shared Hillman Hunter mechanicals, with its big curved rear window and wide C-pillar making it instantly recognisable.

The Rootes Group company was unique among British carmakers,

remaining a family owned and operated business right up until the takeover by Chrysler.

Rootes Group cars spanned the market; from the Hillmans of young families and the aspirational Singers, the sporty Sunbeams, through to the upmarket Humbers of bank managers, with Commer and Karrier for the industry sector. They were solidly built, inexpensive to maintain, and backed by an extensive dealer network, decades ahead of the 1980's fashion for 'badge engineering'. As a classic car today, they are unusual enough to draw interest and frequent compliments and stories from people who remember them from their childhood, while having parts readily available and the ability to enjoy the welcome of an active club scene.