Hustler (car)

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1979 Hustler. William Towns is behind the car, facing the camera

The Hustler was a car designed in 1978 by William Towns and sold under his Interstyl brand.

The original version used upper and lower square-section steel frames, clad with glass fibre panels and large flat glass windows. On most models sliding side windows acted as doors. It used the front and rear sub frames and mechanical components from the British Leyland Mini, Metro or BMC1100/1300. The Hustler came in four and six wheel versions: the six wheel version used two Mini rear sub frame assemblies. The style was very much off road / utility in the flat panel / straight line idiom of the Lagonda and Bulldog.

In about 1981, a wooden version was introduced, using marine plywood and solid wood as both structure and body. Shortly afterwards, a sportier version was also introduced, using the same lower steel structure but with an upper structure with less height. An open topped version, the Sport, was introduced at about the same time. The vehicle kits were sold directly from William Towns' home, where he also had his design studio.

About 500 were made.

[edit] Models

Hustler 4: BL Mini-based original model.
Hustler 6: Used two Mini rear subframes to give four rear wheels.
Hustler Huntsman: Larger and more powerful BL 1100/1300 or Metro based model. 4 or 6 wheel versions.
Hustler Hellcat: Stripped down Mini-based jeep version. Usually 4 wheeled but 6 wheel version available.
Hustler Sport: Two seat Mini-based drophead.
Hustler Sprint: Two seat Mini-based coupe.
Hustler Wood: Mini-based version with ash and mahogany laminated panels. 4 or 6 wheel versions.
Hustler Holiday: One-box MPV version. 4 or 6 wheel versions.
Hustler Force: Conventional, full-depth doors instead of sliding glass. 4 or 6-wheel versions.
Hustler Highlander: One off imposing 6-wheeled Jaguar V12-powered luxury version.
Hustler Harrier: High roof version designed to take a wheelchair in the back.