Hillman Gillie
Clark Dawson’s all-encompassing passion for Imps made him the perfect man to resurrect this unique factory prototype.
Clark Dawson’s passion for Imps made him the ideal candidate to save a rather special prototype.
Chrysler’s financial backing was essential for Rootes’ survival in the 1960s. The American giant gained 30 per cent of voting shares in 1964, rising to a controlling 66 per cent in 1967. But Chrysler focused almost entirely on the conventional, relegated Rootes to a subsidiary role and gave short shrift to the Imp.
Unbelievably small by American standards, and anything but conventional, the Imp simply didn’t resonate with Chrysler. Costs were pared back and further development – barring new models already underway – was curtailed. Not only did the Imp stagnate, but a number of exciting variants never progressed beyond the prototype stage. Amongst those vetoed was the bluff-fronted, slab-sided, and wonderfully utilitarian Hillman Gillie.
Much hearsay surrounds the Gillie. Some say one was built… some say two, yet recent extensive research suggests that the featured Gillie is, almost certainly, the sole example. Commissioned by one of the Rootes brothers, it spent its early life scampering around Lord Rootes’ Glenalmond Estate, before being transported to Ryton.
Finders keepers
“I was a Rootes District Sales Manager and visited the Ryton plant often,” reminisces Malcolm
Richardson. “Early in 1966, during one of my visits, I came across the Gillie. I bought it for my brother Graham – I thought he’d enjoy it. It wasn’t road registered so, for the chassis number, I suggested 2177, the phone number of our family’s Wycliffe Rootes dealership. Due to the dealership, we were able to choose a registration number and plumped for HJU 1D. Graham fitted a tuned engine, huge rear wheels, and did the beach buggy restyle. Simon, Graham’s son, later inherited the Gillie and kept it until 1991.”
The Gillie subsequently changed hands a few times, the last occasion being in 2012, when it was purchased by restoration specialist and Imp supremo Clark Dawson.
Restoration man
Although largely self-taught, Clark has a significant motor industry and engineering background. “I funded myself through a two year Motor Vehicle Diploma and got a job with Nissan, in Sunderland, on the metal line,” says Clark. “I then did five years in Nissan’s bodyshop, and six years at a specialist Jaguar bodyshop, before moving to Romec, Royal Mail’s engineering department. I was also doing Imp restos at home. Life was hectic!”
Something had to give. “After coming home from Romec, I’d work on restorations until one or two in the morning, and every weekend,” recollects Clark. “With family commitments as well, it was all too