HILLMAN CAR CLUB
OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC

The Hunters of John McRae
Story and pictures by John
HILLMAN CAR CLUB
OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC


Brief story on the "freebie" 1969 HC Hillman Hunter – September 2001

It all started when I requested availability of a "sceptre" badge (via the internet discussion list) to put on my '71 Royal 660.
I had a few replies from other Aussie Hillman enthusiasts.  Ern Broughton of the HCCSA sent me an e-mail letting me know there was a badge on a '69 Hunter Royal in Adelaide, but if I wanted it, I had to also take the whole car with it! It sounded like a reasonable deal to me, so off I went to have a look at it.  Russell Gill came with me, and after a jump start and a few adjustments to the timing, oil top up etc., I decided that it was a good "goer". 
I registered it for 3 months on the return 100km trip home.  I came back the next morning and applied the registration label, started it up and headed for Kapunda (home, 100km north).  It went very, very well, except for a slightly worn universal joint.  I was really impressed with my new "free" car, to the extent that I told my wife that I would drive it to work.  Off I headed, and at about 14 kms from home, I saw in the rear vision mirror a "bit" of smoke.  Then all hell broke loose, a vibration appeared, and gradually got worse – as did the amount of smoke!!! The motor was still purring like a kitten when I pulled over to the side of the road, but it would not move at all.  Onto the mobile phone, and my wife towed me home.  Looking underneath showed me that the ol' hillman auto transmission was in not too good a condition!! The rear extention housing had completely cracked from the rest of the gearbox! I pulled the auto-trans out the next morning (it took 1 hour 10 minutes).  I have since put a 4 speed manual gearbox in it.


The previous workhorse – 1971 Hunter Royal 660

BACK to Gallery page

HOME page