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http://retrorides.pr...y&thread=121228
Model: Hustler Sport
Year: 1967
Mileage: ??
Tax: None....but Tax Exempt
MOT: None
Pics: See below
Location: Bristol
Price: £1,600
I had this advertised before, last may (original advert here) which sold pretty quickly. I was then messed around by the buyer and nothing came of the sale. No money, no deposit, lots of talk but no action.
It was kind of a relief because I didn't really want to sell it anyway and was actually glad that I was now keeping it. The plan was to tuck it away until the Lotus was finished then get stuck straight into making it as awesome as I've always imagined it to be. I was planning in keeping it no matter what due to how much I love it and the fact that if I ever sold it, I'd NEVER be able to replace it again.
That was until yesterday when I agreed a deal with a very, very good friend of mine to buy his car. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and one of those chances that just 'happened', almost like fate had dictated it.
A deposit has now been paid for the new car and I need to sell the Hustler to free up some funds, to clear some space and also to give the little sci-fi styled pocket rocket a chance to be back on the road and creating havoc sooner than it would be under my ownership. A chance for someone else to have one of the rarest and coolest cars I've ever come across.
Also, the Hustler and my new purchase are very similar in principle, so having both isn't ideal because I'd be forever having to decide which to drive. It's time for a new home.....
Some background info:
This Hustler Sport is one of only FOUR Hustler Sports ever made....as confirmed by John Dickens of Complete Kit Car Magazine (a self confessed Hustler nut and previous Hustler owner). There is a very a good chance that this is the only one left now, but I cannot prove this.
Not to be confused with the inferior, more common and rather horrible Hustler Hellcat, this is the low slung sporty model from the range of Hustler cars designed, developed and made by William Towns...who also designed such cars as the Aston Martin Bulldog, Aston Martin DBS and Aston Martin Lagonda as well as some seriously cool micro cars like the Microdot and Minissima (see more about him HERE)
Some great details about the majority of the Hustler range can be seen here Details on the Hustler range of cars - although the Sport is not mentioned there, probably due to it being so rare and unknown! I do have a picture of one stuck to the walls of the snug at Area 52. A 25% chance it could be this actualy car!!
Anyway, about the car.
It's based on Mini running gear, with conventional Mini front and rear subframe bolted into a lower chassis frame. The one piece floorpan/interior tub is rested into this frame and the upper frame then fitted over and bolted down to the lower frame to effectively sandwich the tub in place. Very simple, but such a great piece of design.
This particular car is based on an Austin Mini 850cc running gear from 1967 and has been PROPERLY registered as a Hustler while still maintaining the registration plate. Tax exempt fun motoring never got so cool or rare! I don't currently have the log book for it (didn't come with one) but I have checked with the DVLA and it is correctly registered as a Hustler. I will be getting a V5 for the car as part of the sale....so it will come with the proper paperwork correctly stating the make/model of the car as it is being advertised.
The engine runs. It hadn't been started for over 23 years or more, but very late one night down at Area 52 the challenge was set and James (Jrevillug) and a few others set about getting it running. With not a massive amount of effort it fired into life and ticks over really sweetly. I have a video to prove this.
The car will need some restoration work, but this is more of a make-over compared to other restorations. The brakes will need re-doing (new master cylinder, maybe some new lines, certainly new wheel cylinders etc...) The clutch will also need sorting but parts are easily and cheaply available for this. The frame is very, very sound and solid. A day with a knotwheel and some paint stripper would have it all stripped, another day and it'll all be painted. The fibreglass tub is in superb condition.
Think of it as a giant Meccano set and you won't go far wrong....seriously, this is a really simple car to work on in every respect. Engine bay is much bigger than a Mini, everything is really accessible. This applies all over the car. Please come and have a look and see for yourself....
I was going to build this as a fun summer car but with the capability to induce massive grins! Weighing less than 500kgs, even the 850cc engine currently in the car should be enough to cause some proper laughs and some decent speed, but the car also comes with a complete MG Metro 1275 engine & box which should make this thing go like a rocket while still maintaining some 'originality'.
So not only do you get a very, very rare & funky tax exempt car but you also get two engines with it. It also comes with the 7x13" Superlite wheels with Yokohama tyres...and a set of rare MG Metro Turbo front calipers, plus a whole box of Mini bits along with a set of five Mini Exacton wheels and a complete 'dry' rear subframe. A nice little bundle basically and you'll make some money back selling the Exacton wheels and either of the engines on if you wished.
So there you have it, the makings of an epic car. An epic and very rare car. An epic, rare and FUN car.
Please someone do this car justice. I would have done, but a much bigger project beckons and it's with a sad heart I have to think of letting it go
Anyway, here are some pictures and PLEASE ask as many questions and you like, I am sure I have missed lots out!
The day I collected it after being stored in a barn since 1988:
The day it arrived at Area 52
One of the sets of wheels I have lined up for the car - just to show a hint of the potential this car has to look amazing (available by seperate negotiation) - imagine the frame all painted nicely, a front splitter, much lows and a tweaked 1275!!
The 7x13" Superlites which come with the car (inc. the Yokohama tyres)
I'm afraid I don't really have any more pics of it, but can certainly get some if you want?
This is a very, very rare car with the potential to be SOOOO much fun! I so desperately want it to go to a good home, please someone see this through for me
