Hillman Imp

Key facts

Year

1963
Country

Great Britain
Capacity

875cc
Cylinders

In-line 4
Valves

Overhead camshaft
Output

39hp @ 5,000rpm
Performance

0-60mph 24 seconds
Price new

£532
Owner

National Motor Museum Trust
Manufacturer

Rootes (Scotland) Ltd

In the early 1960s the Rootes Group started Project Apex, aiming to design a small car to compete with the BMC Mini. The result was the rear-engined Hillman Imp. The overhead cam, alloy engine was developed by Coventry Climax and drove the rear wheels via a four-speed gearbox. Early Imps had an innovative, but unreliable, pneumatically operated throttle. Although tail heavy, the independent front and rear suspension meant Imps handled well. This is believed to be the first production car, chassis number 6.

Hillman Imps, and derivatives like the Singer Chamois and Sunbeam Stileto, were assembled in a purpose-built, Government backed, factory at Linwood in Scotland. Problems with reliability and quality control had an impact on sales. The planned output of 150,000 cars per year was never reached, and only 440,000 Imps had been built by the time production ended in 1976.