Roydon Axe came from Scunthorpe and did his apprenticeship with Rootes. His first design project was the Arrow-based Sunbeam Rapier of 1967 which earned him accusations of copying the Plymouth Barracuda. The Hillman Avenger was designed under Roy Axe and launched in 1970. In 1975 Chrysler Europe launched its front wheel drive Simca 1308/09 and Chrysler Alpine model designed by Roy Axe and this won the 1976 Car of the Year award. The Chrysler Sunbeam launched in 1977 was designed at Whitley under Roy Axe, and was an evolution of the Avenger body. In 1977 Chrysler launched the Chrysler Horizon (in Britain), the Chrysler-Simca Horizon (in France) and in America the Plymouth Horizon and Dodge Omni. Roy Axe had drawn the Horizon in 1974 and this was adapted for all the different Horizon models. By 1982 Roy Axe was at Leyland and just had time to tidy up the the Austin Montego before it was signed off, and went on to design the Rover 800.