IDRIVEACLASSIC reviews: Hillman Imp
Vložit
- čas přidán 13. 07. 2024
- Today's video is about the lesser spotted, absolutely awesome Hillman Imp.
IDRIVEACLASSIC is sponsored and insured by Adrian Flux - check them out for your insurance quote on the link below: www.adrianflux.co.uk/influenc...
BOOK YOURSELF INTO THE GREAT BRITISH CAR JOURNEY/DRIVE DADS CAR BY VISITING THE LINK:
greatbritishcarjourney.com
_____________
HILLMAN IMP HISTORY
The Hillman Imp is one of those cars that everyone remembers, but you just don’t see anymore and whilst it’s a car of the 60s and 70s, the plans for the car kicked off way back in the mid 50s amongst the Suez Oil Crisis, petrol rationing and the rise and rise of the small car.
Rootes recognised that although their medium and large car market was covered with a selection of fantastic, quality vehicles; the smaller car market was one they needed to tap into because their 1 litre cars in the UK were churning a sizeable amount of sales and they recognised the small car market could offer them a larger market share as not all buyers were thinking big.
Whilst many cars need to tick boxes around safety and comfort today, Parks and Fry who kicked the project off had a very specific brief.
The car must carry two adults two children, the car must reach at least 60 miles per hour and give a fuel economy on test of 60 miles per gallon, use a rear engine layout and be fun to drive. I’ve also heard from several sources gentlemen wearing hats must considered in the roof height, but I’ve found no concrete proof, so that may be an old wives tale!
The first prototype, the Slug was rejected on styling grounds and looking too much like a bubble car and then stage two slug had hints of the imp as we know it today but also bits and pieces where you look and say, isn’t that a bit Ford Anglia?!
Whilst all this was ongoing, the team at Coventry Climax were approached and they’d been making the all-aluminium race engines. This then led to the Hillman Imp sporting the 875cc engine which kicked out 39 brake horse power and had an overhead camshaft. The engine was the first put into a mass production vehicle which had the ally head and block and rear engined. I should also probably mention the the semi trailing arm, independent rear suspension system to counteract understeer from choosing the rear engine positioning.
The car was then fitted out with a transaxle which was designed by Adrian West who came from European experience at Simca, Renault and Fiat.
Then once all was said and done, it came down to the factory. Rootes had wanted to expand their midlands base, but due to government loan stipulations, the factory had to be put into an area which was in need of investment, which led to the car being built near Glasgow and provided 6,000 jobs to the area.
The finished car had a wheelbase of 82 inches, a length of 141 inches and a height at saloon level of just over 52 inches; making it the smallest car Rootes had ever taken to market. The engine size at launch was 875cc and fitted with a four speed manual gearbox. At one point, the car at basic spec with no optional extras was the cheapest new car on the british market.
Now you might think with all that knowledge, investment and development that by the time the car launched in 1963, everything would be done and dusted and ready to go. Unfortunately many of the early cars were plagued by problems like overheating and this then meant they became a bit of a hot potato on the used car market; meaning the competition like the mini was a safer prospect.
In fact, 50% of Imps ever made were made in the first three years of production. In total, just over 440 thousand were made.
The production ended in 1976 but not before all the badge variants hadn’t launched including the Commer Imp van in 1965 and the Sunbeam, Singer and Husky. The vans ended in 1970 before the cars ended production in 76 bringing the Imp of many badges to an end.
Now before we kick off looking round, I met a lovely gentleman at the museum who test drove this imp as part of his Drive Dad’s Car experience. I asked him what he thought of the car and what memories it held for him… - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Hi Steph. As a young office junior working at Hastings Town Hall in 1966, one of my duties was to deliver the council minutes to the various councillors and Aldermen four days before the council meeting. I was driven to the councillors homes in a Hillman Imp by the Mayor's messenger dressed in a uniform with a high peaked cap. It's true that the car was chosen because of its headroom, which easily accommodated his headgear. No urban myth - absolute fact.
My aunt had one of these from new in 1970, the year I was born, she had 10 years and replaced it with one of the first Austin metro cars. Great memories Steph, thank you
Such enthusiasm for a much underated little car, so long as they were looked after and a bag of sand was put in the front they were great cars. Having looked at the prototypes I'm so relieced that someone with the gift of sight was allowed to design it 🤣
I had several as road cars and racing and never ever had to put a bag of sand in the front!! It is false news!
@@davidbrowne862 I was going off what a couple of friends who had an Imp and a Chamois had said to me, that the bag of sand made all the difference.....maybe they weren't driving them properly 😂
Random Imp fact: It was the last car sold new in Britain for less than £1000 - the *very* basic model (without so much as a heater) was selling for £998 in 1974.
True, although I think it may have had a heater but not a heater blower. My '66 Super was like this until I found a Vauxhall Cresta (IIRC) fan could be made to fit.
Mum had 1 of these back in about 1980 ish , she only had it about 6 months then got rid for something more reliable, I’ve never known a car refuse to start from cold 1st thing in the morning as much as mums imp , she’d say “ come on I’ll drop you off at school if she’ll start “ 😂 , I’d say 50% of mornings it just wouldn’t start and we’d both end up walking to the bus stop , she always used the choke from cold but it would just turn over and over until it was either flooded which happened a lot or she ran the battery flat, once running she was great all day but that initial 1st cold start of the day was a nightmare 😂 , I remember 1 morning, I was maybe 14 or 15 , she held out the keys and said “ you might as well try and start her, you might have more luck “ I went to take the keys and she said “ I was only joking , ohh what the hell you can’t do any worse than me “ and gave me them , after getting in the imp and checking she was in neutral I turned the key but she didn’t start , then I remembered the choke on the floor, full choke and tried, she started, I gave her some revs and gently backed her out the garage so mum could see and hear her , the following morning she gave me the keys to start her and guess what ……. She wouldn’t start and I flooded her AND ran the battery flat trying 😂 , the good old days
A car living in the (not inconsiderable) shadow of the Mini, the oft-overlooked Imp is an absolute hoot to drive. I'd buy one just to be different. 60's/70's cars are just my kind of thing. The Imp has surely to be one of the more entertaining ones!
My first car in 1977 , constantly suffered head gasket failure, overheating all the time , many a time me and my mates had to urinate in the rad as a emergency measure 🤣
More head gaskets than could be manufactured.
Learned to drive and passed my test in a Hillman Imp in 1976.
My first vehicle in 1974 was an Imp van. It was like a little go-kart to drive, but I kept an old mattress in the back to dampen the noise and provide a softer ride for fellow teenagers riding in the back. It had the advantage that one could sit inside and work on the engine, even when it was pouring with rain. My mate and I drove it all the way from the Isle of Wight to the far north of Scotland on holiday in 1975. I sometimes wish I still had it (although I could say the same about most of the vehicles I have owned since).
Oh,Steph, an Imp was my first car! WAR124M where are you now! I purchased half of mine from my Granny, the other half was an 18th birthday gift! My Imp was wardance red in colour with a tan interior. A lovely car to drive, but did need looking after carefully to avoid problems. I learned to drive with my Imp, with my dear old Dad sitting in the passenger seat giving me sound advice. Bless him, he even taught me to double declutch which I can still do. He must have been a good teacher as I passed my test first time! Seeing an Imp brought back so many memories, including backing into my Dad's garage door (slowly). The dent is still in the metal door to this day, although we sold the house back in 1996! Happy days!
Thanks Steph for this. The Imp was my first car. First trip up the M1 was frightening as every juggernaut that passed us sent the car sailing out of our lane !! Soon remedied with a fully laden toolbox under the bonnet as ballast. Always overheating issues but just learnt to carry lots of water with me !! Great fun.
Thanks for another awesome review Steph! When I was little one of my neighbours had a Sunbeam Stiletto and then he got rid of that and bought a Hillman Imp. They had a couple of kids and I used to spend a lot of time with them and we used to go all over in the Imp and I was always very fond of it. I really think they had a lot to offer and should have sold in equal numbers to the Mini but thanks to the delightful trade unions, strikes and quality issues meant they never achieved the success they deserved.
My sisters first car was a 1964 Imp. She chose it over a Mini as it had wind up windows ! I did a lot of driving 'experience' in that car with my sister. Later on, a friend had the Van version and always kept a bag of sand in the front 'boot' as when the back was loaded up, the steering was almost non existant ! Happy days - Thanks Steph for the step back in time - actually 50 years ! X X
Hi Steph love your channel i am 67 years old and served my time as as a motor mechanic from 1975 in New Zealand I have owned and repaired a number of the vehicles you test on your channel I love your impressions I have not often seen someone whom has such insite please keep doing what you are doing Thank You
R
My first car (in 1985)... an 1973 model in that colour too. Thank you for the memories. When the camera swung around the the dashboard it was like meeting an old friend for the first time in 35 years...
My first (legal!) car was an Imp and I drove it flat out everywhere (foolish and young and the roads were often empty). It was so good. It handled superbly and I did many thousands of miles in it. I didn't need to put a sack of sand in the front and didn't find it under-steered either. when pushed hard it would do gentle 4-wheel drifts that could be provoked into over-steer with brakes and throttle. Brilliant car!
As you know the Imp was built in Linwood Paisley which was served by Ravenscraig Steel. I remember passing Ravenscraig&Gartcosh on the train. I drove my OHs 1980s Škoda Rapid 1.36 rear engined. It might not be an Imp but I still have many fond memories.
Lovely review. I had a 1976 Imp Super as a first car which was why I went especialy to Drive Dad's Car back in August. It was a 150 mile trip from the South East to be told..oh the irony..it was broken down that day and was unavailable!
Great car, great venue..but we are talking about British built hardware here..!
Had one of these many years ago-it was a great little car and much better than the mini in my opinion.Woke up one morning in winter to find it buried in snow,for a laugh got in and spun the starter,never suspecting it would go, but it fired up right away blowing a stream of snow out of the engine cover!As you say,a very underrated car 😊
My dad used to work in the factory in Linwood @ Paisley near Glasgow when these were in production. They also made the Hunter & Avenger & the Sunbeam.
I remember when I was a child, 2 guys stopping outside our house in a blue imp with steam pouring out of the back. They just got out, walked off and never returned! The council came and took it away a few weeks later. An odd episode that always sticks in my mind! Great video as always Steph. Thank you.
Probably mine - the water pump went on it 😂
i think if the water pump failed it was engine out job or was it the thermostat ,if i`m wrong i know someone will correct me cheers
A friend and I used to rally his Imp. We'd be doing very well when the engine would start overheating. I think it consumed more coolant than petrol. Nonetheless, it was a pleasure to drive and I always enjoyed its Corvair-derived styling.
GFR 208 D - my Dad's first car - an Imp in Harvest Gold if I recall correctly
Ooooo look - an Avenger pulls up next to the Imp - my first car was an Avenger - PCW 879 J - yes we were a bit of a Rootes family back in the day
Brings a smile to my face seeing the Imp. I worked on hillman /Chrysler cars when i first left school 1975 at a dealers in Heswall. Now a Sainsburys shop. If you ever get chance to test drive a Stiletto version they were a quick car once you got used to the light front end .
I Had one in 1968. Took out the auto-choke and replaced it with a manual one. Put a high-lift cam in . Disc brakes installed. British Racing Green paint job. A sandbag in the front for ballast. Loved that little motor. Blew the doors off most Minis.
Never heard of a Hillman Imp, but i like it when gals do car reviews.
Another great video Steph! Back in the 70's in our teens one of the boys had an Imp. My party trick was to pull the key out when it was running ( because you could) and then he couldn't shut it off
So many good memories of a very fun little car. Cheers, Greg..
My first car was a Hillman Imp. Loved it! My Mum owned one and also a sporty Singer Chamois. Great cars!
These were available across the pond as well,along with the Hillman Minx.This car's adorable.
I really don’t understand why Rootes/Chrysler cars are underappreciated. Of the scant videos I’ve seen of ‘60s and ‘70s models, everyone has glowing comments about how nice they are to drive, how they include extra, thoughtful detail touches, and how they’re usually quite well made. I’ve seen the Imp’s story and know why it didn’t sell that well and imperiled the company in the process. But it seems like the problems were worked out, even if the car wasn’t kept up to date in its 12-year life. Seems like a lovely little thing. That blue Avenger in the car park looks interesting to me, too.
You do such a great job on your reviews.
I have been waiting for you to drive one of these as I have not been able to get as much information on these as I'd like.
I'm unusual as an American that I enjoy cars of this size. It is stylish, unusual and just cool.
I had one back in the early 90's.
FIC 541.
The 875cc all alloy engine was a development of a Coventry Climax engine used in portable water pumps (used by the fire brigade it the latter stages of WW2, I believe.)
Super little car to drive, nippy and very direct steering, drum brakes all round required a bit of respect.
Choke down in front of the handbrake and the petrol tank was just above your feet...
Correct. The water pump engine was the FWM, the automotive version was the FWMA and the Imp engine was based on this.
With Chrysler Comps 'Monte Carlo' springs which lowered the car 1" and stiffened the rear, stiffer bushes modified at the front to stop the swing axles moving under braking, the kingpin carriers modified so the wheels came upright under braking and a decent set of radials it was a hoot.
I’m subscribed. Great little vid on a cute little car. I love your style Steph such a refreshing change.
Lovely video Steph.. Love your enthusiasm and connection to this little car. 👍 This place is on the bucket list if I ever get back to the UK.
Awww steph seeing that little Asia Rockstar
really was the highlight of my day, you looked super happy, shame they are so rare now.
Another amazing video and im so glad your feeling better after your surgery too :D
Nor seen one of theses for over 20 years, gorgeous car thank u
They were good little cars - my parents had one. My grandad had one and years later I had one as my third car. My mum also had a brand new Imp van for her job. When we were kids, my parents would take four kids (and a dog) camping in the Imp. :-)
When I was 13 my older sister and I were offered one of these in Brown for £50. But we chose a Datsun 100A instead. I've always liked the Imp.
Cheeky Imp!!!
Oh wow now there is a blast from the past.
My Aunt had one of these in that very colour when I was a wee lad.
I spent many a happy journey sliding about on the back seat(no seatbelts) on days out and about or our holidays to Arbroath.
Such a great wee car that holds many memories for me ..
Thanks for sharing Steph..
This car really suits you! Lovely shot at the end of it driving from the outside, I’d love to see more shots like this. Another great review 👏🏻 🩵
Lovely video Steph! Such a delicious color. Hope you feel a lot better already✨.
Yay! My first car! ❤️ Mine was a 1966 model (old 'D' reg) although I obtained it in 1979. It had the old style dash with the wide speedometer.
Thanks for the video. It bought back memories of my mum's gold Imp. Right down to the interior door handles, the choke on the floor and the quietness of them with the engine behind you. I still have a 2 door car with the engine in the back but about 10 times as powerful!
Great Video Steph thanks for Uploading I remember being driving home from Sunday school in a super de -lux on in Dark Green, I hope your Surgery went well.
Hi Steph (this is Dan). Thank you for saving the day while my dad and I visited the Great British Car Journey. Idiot boy here didn’t check his emails and realise that you’d have to prebook the date and cars you’d like to drive for the Drive Dad’s Car bit (that’d be far too sensible!). Luckily, and this is no joke, you booked the two cars we wanted to drive (no spoilers on the second car). Loved Dad’s little vox pop 🙂. Great vid, keep up the good work, you’re living the dream!
A really cool car! Thanks for presenting it. I saw one in the museum in Glasgow, but I’m glad you were able to drive one around and show us how it runs.
Another great video Steph love at first sight here with the Imp👍
I had one around 1977 and it was a little belter. Started well unless engine was hot and drove well.
Remember these well, back in the day, a neighbour had a metallic blue one and we had a mini, these vlogs bring back memories of childhood days which is lovely.
My dad had a Morgan 3 wheeler.
Then I came along and he bought a Hillman Huskey.
As a baby, I used to sleep on a blanket on top of the engine cover.
No bubble wrapped kids sat in crash proof special seats in my days. Its a wonder how so many of us survived.
Great little film Steph - my mum had an Imp exactly like this one - same colour too. I remember it had a habit of stalling a lot but probably through a lack of regular carb maintenance rather than anything else. I recall reading that the Post Office gave their staff Mini vans, because the Imp was considered too fast (not sure where I saw that but other readers may be able to confirm of otherwise). Keep 'em coming Hun!
That was great Steph, I love the way that you loved that Imp.
Thanks Steph, great video. I drove lots of different cars back then but never one of those, very interesting.
My dad had a Hillman Hunter in the early 80's.
It's a pity you could not drive it on the open road where the Imp really comes alive. That willing little 875cc engine can be revved out, and it leaves cars like the Austin 1100 for dead. Yes, I had a Mk.2 Imp and it was so much better than a Mini, more spacious, more comfortable, much faster and more economical on petrol. We went on a family holiday in it, 2 adults and 2 kids. We toured all round the west country, covering 900 miles on just 18 gallons of fuel, cruising at 70mph on the main roads, and climbing numerous 1 in 4 hills. No need for air con, just open all the windows including the rear one, and it's comfortable even in a heatwave once on the move. The panda cars in our area were all Imps, and the cops were well choked when they were replaced by Escorts, which they drove like Imps at first, but got in trouble for rolling them. If only I could have an Imp now. I have always missed that cheeky little car. Thank you for bringing it all back.
I had an Austin Mini 850cc 1978S it cut out every time there was moisture in the air.
I love the Imp, but it certainly was not, 'so much better than a Mini'. The Mini gained it's reputation for a reason. I've owned three and have to say nothing before or since drives like one, not even the Imp. I'd say both are amazing little cars.
Had a late Imp (ORK958R), and absolutely loved it. So good to finally see one getting a decent CZcams vid! They were so much better than their reputation.
I loved watching this Steph. My first car in 1976,I was 18 years old. Life was simple back then- no seat belts,headrests,centre console and a truck steering wheel - that I changed for a small 3 spoke sporty one 😂and a new cassette playing The Eagles - “Hotel California”.
Hello Steph, I have always loved this car, such fond memories, my grandmother had a Stiletto in the 1970s, metallic brown with a vinyl roof....such an amazing little car!
I owned one, bought it in 1977, had it for a couple of years, great little car easy to maintain.
Great video
Delightful, Steph! Thanks for another good one.
My mum had one of these from new and it was a bugaboo. They overheated very suddenly and this caused the alloy head to warp, which was an expensive fix. The were problems with the clutch as well, which was also a pricey job. It also had electrical gremlins - especially in the rain. Fully sorted and souped, it was a smashing little motor and proved itself time and again in rally cross and other contests. It won the British saloon car championship 3 times on the trot if I recollect...
A really enjoyable upload well done keep up the good work on your channel 👍👍
One of my earliest memories is being lifted through the rear window /hatch as a small child. Safety was secondary in the late 70s. My grandad had 2 Imps and a coupe, either a Chamois or a Stiletto, so he must have liked them a lot. Replaced with my parent's Lada 1300 in 1983.
I drove this Imp, along with a Moggy convertible & a Reliant Robin. It was a real joy to drive!
An entertaining vid! Hope you are recovering well.
Hi, I had the Sunbeam Stiletto variant back in 1969, I checked a couple of years ago & it was still registered..
I loved my Imp my neighbour had one as well
When I was young I had a date with a girl I had been pursuing for ages. I was really pleased with myself. I cleaned the inside of my Hillman Imp, I washed it, and tuned it so it was running fine. Then I went to pick the girl up and she refused to get in the car. When I asked her why she just said, 'I'm not getting into that. I'd rather walk.' I had to go home and nick my brother's Ford Cortina. I didn't hold it against the Imp. I thought it was a good car. The last time I saw my date she was driving a Sinclair c5.
You had a lucky escape there, son!
It's lovely to see an Imp on your channel. My Grannies neighbour had one in maroon.
Good video, despite the technical issues. I could tell that you really loved the car. Nice anecdote
on the other vehicle as well. Funny how vehicles can take you back to another time and place.
Take care hun and good luck with your personal journey as well.
Thanks for the heads up on this !
I've always loved the Imp, although I've never owned one. My grandad did own a Husky; but is was plagued by the quality issues which the car has become known for, and his was replaced by a mini (Which also had issues of it's own!).
I am a big fan of the rear engine layout. Many cars of the 50s and 60s gave the layout a bad name because of badly designed/setup rear suspension, but a well sorted rear engine car is such a joy to drive.
Thank you for another great review. :-)
Hi Steph,
Great review! - it brought back many memories. My mum’s best friend had an Imp and she often let me drive it. I found it to be a great little car to drive and was easily as much fun and had as good handling as the Minis of the day. I definitely remember the slightly bouncy ride and light steering that you mentioned. It’s a great pity that the Imp wasn’t the success that it deserved to be. One thing though - you mentioned the engine seemed a little difficult to start and and it appeared to cut out initially, so I was wondering if the engine was cold at the time and needed the choke to get running properly…….? The reason I ask is that in the Imp, the choke control is in a really unusual place: it’s a small lever right down on the floor pan between the front seats next to the gearstick that you lift up to operate and push down again once the engine is warm. (Necessary to place it there because of the rear engine layout of course). - Apologies in advance if you already k new that!
Can't believe I am saying this...
I lost my cherry in a hillman imp .
JWK 49E a bit awkward to say the least. 😬
My best friend and I were given an Imp by our physics teacher back in the late 80’s!! It needed a fair bit of work (in the eyes of amateur but enthusiastic teenagers!!) and we made a complete hash of it! We ended up selling it at a steam rally!
I’ve wanted another one ever since and your review echos my love for these cars!
Really enjoyed that! Thank you👍
I bought one new in 1973 I enjoyed it, but the build quality wasn't great. I kept stalling getting out of parking and then I realised the radial tyres were hitting the inner wing on full lock. I took it to the dealership and when I got it back they'd hammered the wheel arch and stuck some underseal on. The drivers door leaked and they took the doorseal off and welded a strip of steel on and refitted it. I tried to do an underseal line on the sill and when I took the masking tape off it took the paint with it down to the bare metal. I ended up selling it to a garage and put the money to a house deposit.
That is the cutest little car I've ever seen! Granted, for my daily driver and love of my life, Luigi ('09 Grand Marquis), that little Imp would look like a lifeboat for him... LOL... I think I might have a sidetrip planned now for my upcoming trip to the UK...
My first and second car both imps, i absolutely loved them, brilliant in the snow go any where, easy to work on, i could have the engine out in 20 mins, great little cars!.
After I passed my test, I bought Dad's sky blue Imp, as he was buying a mk ii Cortina, although mine wasn't as well appointed at that one. I went through 4 water pumps and actually met a girl who's Imp had been through 5 of them!
loved how excited you got about this little car
Great video as allways . I think the Hillman imp one of coolest small British cars of it time .so stylish. 🙂👍
My first car was an imp. I had so much fun in that we car miss it still 35 years later.
Perfect wee motor for learners you can see all around you
In 1969, my father bought me a 1966 Hillman Imp manual, for passing my School Certificate exams when I was 16. He paid $200 AUD for it. I drove it for my last two years at high school. It was a beaut little car, but I drove it a little more harshly than you did. It was hard pressed to carry 4 schoolboys in it, and it was truly slow up hills, but it was my freedom ride and it started me on my motoring life. Great memories, thankyou.
As a driving instructor in 1972, I taught in a Hillman Imp. They were not suited to the task as the rubber donuts were always breaking. This was due to the harsh treatment given to the car by learners. I liked the car and this video brought back memories.
Nice one Steph. Can't wait for the next film
Many years ago when I was 19 I used to drive my 1963 Anglia (then 7 years old and a bit tired to be honest) home from college. A fellow student who lived near me had an Imp and used to wait in a lay by for me to go past. He would then set off after me intending to pass me, which he invariably succeeded in doing despite my best efforts! His car was so much nippier than my old Anglia Those Imps were great cars and I wished I had owned one.
The memories come flooding back Steph thank you!! We had a couple of Imp variants, mum had a white Husky, which looked like a miniature ambulance and I had a bright yellow Sunbeam Stiletto with a black vinyl roof. Both fun cars to have.
Excellent video!
The Hillman Imp! Yes, I had a die-cast model of this car as a kid in the 1960's and I always loved the weirdness of the rear engine and opening rear window! The "frunk" is something way ahead of its time!
My first 4-wheel car, bought in 1964, was a 1952 side-valve Mark V Minx saloon; very sturdy and reliable and the long-stroke motor would just about climb the side of a house in 3rd gear. Later, I had a 1955 Mark VIII ohv Minx and, in 1967, bought a Mark VIII Estate.
I had such a good run with Rootes cars that, in 1969, I bought a new Mk II Imp-derived Commer Van. What an unmitigated heap of garbage that was! Cold, it would hesitate away from a standing start, leaving me stranded halfway across the carriageway, no matter what manipulation of choke, throttle and clutch I tried. It didn't exactly inspire confidence, with a line of heavy truck bearing down at speed! The thing took about five miles to even start getting warm, too. There was a lot wrong with that car, but the final straw was when the starter-ring dropped off the flywheel, leaving me stranded, some 20 miles from home. The flywheel was replaced under warranty, but I'd already had enough and got rid of it very shortly afterwards. It was, without doubt, the worst car out the 35+ that I've owned in almost 60 years of driving.
Now, I know that Imp enthusiasts will be outraged at my comments, but that was my experience with the Imp. If you like them, then that's great, but for me, no, thanks.
Great fun Steph! Thank you very much! 😉
My 1st car . Bought XAB 308G in February 1979 , a standard car in white. A technical marvel , with a sweet OHC engine , good packaging 2 boots including the extended parcel shelf via the window hatch at the back. Sunbeam Stilleto would have been the Cooper S of the range. I think one of the reasons I bought it was to be “different” as a lot of 1st cars for people was the Mini or a 1100/1300 Mk1 Escort. Great car .
The Imp was the default small car in my family rather than the Mini. There were quite a few of them and the final one was an Imp Super which my grandfather owned, same colour as that. JHH 200N.
My second car was the Singer Chamois variant of the Imp. Lovely engines, great handling, more fun than a Mini with more space and versatility.
I remember as a child of the 60’s some neighbours had one and I remember that in the winter the imp just wouldn’t start , it would come to life briefly and then die and after a number of attempts the battery would be flat.
My Granddad back in the 1970's owned a Hillman Imp in a darker blue colour. There was many times, he would puck my Mum, Dad, my Sister and I up in it from Birmingham New Street station after we had travelled up to the Midlands by train for the school summer holidays. The car would often have my parents, sister and I on the back seat with my Grandparents sitting in the front seats. Great memories of how my Granddad used his Imp. Afterwards, he owned another quite rare car here in the UK which was a Vauxhall Viva.
Takes me back, my parents had a Imp back in the 70's , love this channel, any plans to review a
1930 's RILEY KESTREL would love to know what you thought of my favourite car
What a treat on a Sunday morning. I'm at a bus stop. Tell someone a better to pass time. Hope your well.
Ey! Thanks for sharing! Greetings from Argentina ✨
Great stuff Steph, was me husband's Dad's first brand new car in the 60s many......many years ago now. I've been regaled over the years with stories from my husband that his dad told him. One was he had to put a concrete slab in the front to keep the front end from been too lively in the snow!!!