Paykan (1967–2005)

Paykan. 1967–2005 (prod. n/a). 4-door sedan, 5-door wagon. F/R, 1598, 1725 cm³ (I4 OHV), 1597 cm³ (I4 OHC). Iranian version of Hillman Hunter, initially assembled from CKD kits before local content rose; by the 1970s, Paykan was locally manufactured and had a huge proportion of the Iranian car market as it was dubbed the country’s national car. Named for the Persian word for arrow, a reference to the car’s code-name inside Rootes. Began with 1·7-litre, before Hillman Avenger’s 1·6-litre engine supplied; Peugeot OHC unit eventually replaced OHV ones. Subjected to numerous facelifts, with more modern grille and, eventually, ill-fitting wrap-around plastic bumpers. Bardo pick-up truck survived the end of saloon production in 2005, and the running-gear continued beneath the Peugeot Roa in Iran into the 2010s. Bardo was finally killed off in April 2015.

Manufacturing location: Ťehrân, Iran

Marque: Paykan | Successors: IKCO Samand (2000–22), Peugeot Roa

q.v. Chrysler Hunter