Owners of Rootes ‘‘Arrow’ cars have a new source of spares and repairs – thanks to a Southampton enthusiast branching out on his own.

Paul Marshall, one half of the business duo behind Mazda MX-5 specialists Autolink UK, has decided to go into business catering for post 1974 Hillman Hunters and their derivatives; as his former firm relocates to Scotland, Paul is staying put. His new company, Arrow 5, aims to keep as many Arrow Hunters, Sceptres and Fastbacks on the road as possible.

“I have most parts for Arrow cars – new old stock, used, and many panels. Rootes service parts are already catered for by Speedy Spares; I’m also up for the ‘Audax’ range of cars and Imps, even though there are many established places working on them already,” Paul explained.

As the ‘5’ in Arrow 5’s name implies, Paul also intends to carry on looking after MX-5s. “Welding, servicing, roof repairs, engine swaps – anything for the ‘NA’ (Mk 1) and ‘NB’ (Mk2) MX-5 isn’t a problem – it’s business as usual,” he continued.

Paul also wants to attract trade from local classic car owners, especially if they own workaday historic vehicles. “I aim to help customers with any pre 1980 stuff; recommissioning of laid up cars that people want to keep on the road but haven’t got E-type money.

“I’ll wait to see how things develop as I go along but my idea of market will be the unloved side of classics, like shopping cars from the ’Sixties and ’Seventies.”

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