Description
Registration 2 F O E (Originally CDD 16 K)
This is one of the original 200 Mk. 1 Tiger’s produced in the Coventry Competitions Department of Chrysler (UK) of which it is believed no more than some 20 remain.
This car was first registered in April 1972 and has since had 15 previous owners. I acquired it in May 2011. It now has a recorded mileage of 74, 500 miles. Original mileage not known.
These cars were all based on a standard 1500cc Hillman Avenger 4 door “Super Saloon “car, which went into the competitions department where the engine was rebuilt and blue printed, fitted with an unrated camshaft, twin Weber carburettors, and a special exhaust manifold with a 2 inch exhaust system, and big valve head, giving some 110 bhp. Other factory modifications included uprated and lowered suspension, servo assisted brakes, Minilite alloy wheels, Restal competition seats, a dashboard mounted re counter, 4 auxiliary lamps, a boot spoiler, along with its distinctive colour scheme.
Since owning this car, I have wired it for a Brantz Trip, fitted LED lights, upgraded Halogen head lights, front sump guard , petrol tank guard, heated front and rear screens, replaced the dashboard , fitted hazard lights. NOTE: it still retains its original dash mounted Rev Counter (quite a rare feature). This car has good tyres and has M O T till January 2026
Number plate NOT INCLUDED. The Background
The 1970s were a hotbed for performance models of ‘ordinary’ cars. Prior to this, cars were just cars. But in the 1970s, they were given the chance to evolve into something more. No longer were we presented with one option of any given model of car when we walked into a dealership. No, we were presented with different versions of those models. Many would argue that it was Ford that created this niche in the market by making the humble Mk1 Escort into a bona fide performance model. You may have other brands in mind as a perceived catalyst.
Everyone was at it in the 1970s, and as such, manufacturers had to work hard to stand out. Bight paint, racing stripes, alloy wheels, loud exhausts - they were all the order of the day. And from all corners of the market, including Hillman. But the Hillman offering wasn’t just trying to go with the crowd. No, it was a serious contender. Faster than the Escort Mexico of the time, the hot Hillman was a bright and shining star of the performance car landscape. Literally, as the Mk1, which is what we have here, was only available in Sundance Yellow.
This car, the Hillman Avenger Tiger, was a glowing example of what could be done. It made the leap from Escort 1100L to Escort Mexico look tiny. The Tiger was leaps ahead of the standard Avenger. Bucket seats, that yellow paint, magnesium wheels, spotlights, a power bulge on the bonnet, twin Weber carbs and nearly 110bhp. It was a staggering, fun, fast, exciting little car.
I was lucky enough to buy my first Avenger Tiger Mk 1 from new in 1972 and ran it for many years doing a lot of club motor sport with it.
I purchased this car in May 2011 because I missed my original one so much and still wanted to do some small scale events in a very competitive car.
Sadly I no longer have the time to fully use and appreciate it, so it needs to go to a good home.
