1968 Hillman Imp Rally Car

Lot details
Registration No: TGP453F
Chassis No: T.B.A.
Mot Expiry: None

Introduced in 1963, the Hillman Imp was the brainchild of engineers Michael Parkes (later to find fame with Ferrari) and Tim Fry. Based on their small-car experiments of the mid 1950s, its rear-engined layout was designed to maximise interior space, and its crisp lines and cute detailing owed something to the contemporaneous Chevrolet Corvair, with the added bonus of a hinged rear windscreen. It was equipped with all-round independent coil-sprung suspension, four-wheel drum brakes and sharp rack and pinion steering. Powered by a Coventry-Climax supplied 875cc SOHC four-cylinder aluminium engine mated to a bespoke, alloy-cased four-speed transaxle, the featherweight four-seater made the most of its 39bhp and 52lbft of torque. As fun to drive and in many ways as innovative as its BMC Mini rival, the Imp never recovered from its early reputation for poor reliability - a corollary of being rushed to market by a cash-strapped Rootes group - and by the time production ceased in 1976, Hillman (along with the rest of the Rootes Group) had been consumed by the Chrysler empire.

Beginning life as a road car, 'TGP 453F' was converted into a historic rally car shortly before entering the current ownership five years ago. Interestingly, the vendor informs us that he campaigned a Works Imp in the Far East during the late 1960s (Kuala Lumper 6-hours etc). The specification is too long to list here but highlights include a twin Stromberg carburettor-fed L4 (late Mk2) engine, rear roll cage, oil cooler, heavy duty driveshaft donuts and period bucket seats with FIA-spec harnesses. Lowered and stiffened all round with Monte Carlo springs and adjustable dampers plus strengthened suspension mountings, the diminutive saloon further benefits from the addition of a fusebox: "Unbelievably not a standard feature", says the owner. It also comes with four steel wheels wearing fresh tyres, and a spare Sport radiator. Describing the car as being in "good" condition with regard to its engine, gearbox, electrical equipment, interior, bodywork and paintwork, the seller adds: "This rally Imp had a sympathetic restoration 300 miles ago and has been stored since". Offered for sale without reserve, 'TGP 453F' is accompanied by a 2005-issued MSA Historic Technical Passport and will require some recommissioning prior to use.