It’s wall go for the iconic Hillman Imp
Classic car is immortalised in massive mural
The Hillman Imp car has been immortalised in a massive mural near Paisley town centre.
Artist Frank Carty painted the iconic car as a tribute to the Rootes motor factory, which was in Linwood.
More than 6,000 workers built almost half a million of the runarounds just miles from where the artwork is.
Frank was commissioned to daub the motor to celebrate the creation of a new housing estate.
Joe McMillan owns the yellow Imp – dubbed Doris – captured in the Old Sneddon Street scene.
He said: “I’ve been updating the Hillman Imp Club and we’re all thrilled to have this as a tribute to the factory and the history of the area.
“Everywhere I go, people who recognise the car and have stories of relatives who worked in the factory.
“They reminisce over what was once built here and you realise this is an important piece of our history. “It should be celebrated. “I’m delighted the Hillman and the Rootes Group will be up on the mural for everyone to see.
“I would encourage people to have a look and see what has been created.”
The Hillman Imp went into production at the sprawling Rootes motor factory in Linwood in 1963.
Workers crafted 440,000 cars over the next 13 years – helping it became one of the country’s most iconic.
In its heyday, the plant manufactured over 2,000 vehicles each week.
The factory was so big it spanned both sides of Linwood Road.
Production was halted in 1981, with most of the factory buildings demolished over the following years.
The mural has been painted to mark the building of 32 flats nearby.
Nixon Blue – which has acquired the ruins of the former Institute night club on Cotton Street – is behind the project.
Developer Richard McFadzean hopes the painting will serve as a proud reminder of the area’s industrial heritage.
He said: “The mural celebrates an important part of Renfrewshire’s history.
“Working with Frank means we’ve been able to transform our site.
“The mural provides an excellent talking point for our new Riverside Walk development.
“We’re delighted to add to the area’s vibrant culture and pay homage to its rich past as we build for the future.”
The mural is an excellent talking point Richard McFadzean