Buying Guide
Hillman Imp family
‘Innovative and fun to drive, it boasted all the right ingredients’
The Imp was something of a problem child for Rootes Group. Starting life as the ‘Apex’ project, it was meant to rival the all-conquering Mini and was built at a new plant at Linwood near Glasgow, far away from Rootes’ West Midlands powerbase. Production soon proved to be troubled.
But although innovative and fun to drive (more refined and smoother riding than the Mini, too, it should be said) a combination of poor reliability, complicated build process and worker unrest meant it never really fulfilled its potential. That was a shame as under the skin it boasted all the right ingredients, from a lightweight all-aluminium engine to independent semi-trailing arm rear suspension that helped tame the propensity for oversteer suffered by rear-engined cars. Launched in 1963, the most common model was the Imp saloon, with its practicality boosted by an opening rear screen. But there were myriad variants to choose from if you didn’t fancy that. The first to arrive in late-1964 was the Singer Chamois, a more luxurious iteration recognisable by twin headlights. This was followed two years later by the Sunbeam Sport – with twin carburettors it had a sprightly 51bhp, giving 90mph. 1967 saw the introduction of yet more stylish variants in the form of the Californian and Chamois coupés, followed the same year by the sporty Sunbeam Stiletto. If added practicality was needed then the Commer Imp van and Hillman Husky estate would’ve fitted the bill – both lasted until 1970.
A major update in 1966 produced the Imp MkII, replacing the unusual pneumatic throttle and automatic choke with conventional items, along with revised suspension geometry and trim changes. A further refresh in 1968 brought a revised instrument and control layout. Rootes’ American custodian, Chrysler, had little interest in the cars from then on, and left them largely untoched until production ended in 1976 with almost half a million made.
Over 40 years on, the models deserve consideration. While projects should be approached with caution a good one is cracking value.