Hillman Avenger GLS Restoration
Discussion
Stunning car OP. 
I've always wondered why the Rootes & Vauxhall models aren't nearly as appreciated as Fords of that era?
Anyway I remember as a (just) teenager being dragged to church on Sundays in my Dad's Fiat 125, and the minister had a dark metallic green Avenger GL which was just such a good looking car!
I've always liked the idea of an Avenger Tiger, but I doubt that will happen now.
Still a mate of mine was able to buy a Hunter GL with a Holbay engine recently that wasn't dear - a reasonable alternative, even if not as good looking as an Avenger!
I've always wondered why the Rootes & Vauxhall models aren't nearly as appreciated as Fords of that era?
Anyway I remember as a (just) teenager being dragged to church on Sundays in my Dad's Fiat 125, and the minister had a dark metallic green Avenger GL which was just such a good looking car!
I've always liked the idea of an Avenger Tiger, but I doubt that will happen now.
Still a mate of mine was able to buy a Hunter GL with a Holbay engine recently that wasn't dear - a reasonable alternative, even if not as good looking as an Avenger!
Huff said:
Lovely post OP! Rootes cars, even the Avenger all seem very rare these days, and a quite, quite different thing.
That is a fabulous colour!
ETA: I've just spotted your other great thread; and you are obviously geographically nearby; and that Wardance Red Tiger possibly being f/s is prompting weird irrational thoughts in my head...
The Wardance Red Tiger is sold and will be heading to Northern Ireland next month. I will not be selling the Sundance Yellow Tiger or the Violet GLS however.That is a fabulous colour!
ETA: I've just spotted your other great thread; and you are obviously geographically nearby; and that Wardance Red Tiger possibly being f/s is prompting weird irrational thoughts in my head...
Edited by Huff on Friday 10th February 21:53
That is a beautiful car and you've done a great job in restoring it. I have two of these here in New Zealand that are identical to yours, except for they have the matching purple interior. One car I found sitting outside under a large Macrocarpa tree on a farm and is very weathered. The other I bought a year ago and am currently working hard getting up to scratch and hoping to get back on the road soon. Both were first registered in early 1974. It would seem that a few of these were exported from the UK to NZ in late 73 - early 74, but other than the two I own currently i'm not aware of any others in violet.
What a great thread, thank you.
This is the sort of thing I love to read.
You have done an incredible job, it looks in amazing condition.
My first car was an Avenger, £35 and abandoned in a work car park, I pumped the tyres up and it served me well for a few months.
I thought it was a very good car, and would have one in my dream garage for sure.
This is the sort of thing I love to read.
You have done an incredible job, it looks in amazing condition.
My first car was an Avenger, £35 and abandoned in a work car park, I pumped the tyres up and it served me well for a few months.
I thought it was a very good car, and would have one in my dream garage for sure.
I worked for Nicholls of Bedford in the 70s , a Chrysler dealer , I worked in the radio shop and fitted equipment in all sorts of dealers in Beds,Cambs, Bucks and Northants .
Avengers were bread and butter for me back then but it was a few years before I owned one . A metallic green 1600gls that I was given with a dropped valve , I swapped the head and sprayed the car mars red . I later had a 1.6 estate company car that had it's gearbox rebuilt several times as it ate its syncros , finally diagnosed as a bent input shaft and warped casing so they replaced the whole box .
They were actually a better platform than the escort with a stiffer shell but they never got the same sort of development until the Talbot Sunbeam came along .
I was also part of the service crew for Rick Parker who campaigned in the national rally championship in a Brazilian spec 1800cc Avenger .
Avengers were bread and butter for me back then but it was a few years before I owned one . A metallic green 1600gls that I was given with a dropped valve , I swapped the head and sprayed the car mars red . I later had a 1.6 estate company car that had it's gearbox rebuilt several times as it ate its syncros , finally diagnosed as a bent input shaft and warped casing so they replaced the whole box .
They were actually a better platform than the escort with a stiffer shell but they never got the same sort of development until the Talbot Sunbeam came along .
I was also part of the service crew for Rick Parker who campaigned in the national rally championship in a Brazilian spec 1800cc Avenger .
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