1971 HILLMAN Imp Super

Registration: FYN188J

Chassis:

LG443616305BSAH Odometer: 42,000

Transmission:

Manual MOT: March 2027

Fresh MOT

Lots of paperwork

Benefits from recent engine overhaul

A rare find

The Hillman Imp is a small economy car made by the Rootes Group and its successor Chrysler Europe from 1963 until 1976. Revealed on 3rd May 1963, after much advance publicity, it was the first British mass-produced car with the engine block and cylinder head cast in aluminium. Initially, the Imp was seen by Rootes as a potential second car for families with the means to acquire one. In this incarnation, it was a somewhat revolutionary, high-quality small car, with some above average features. Later the concept evolved into a kind of ultra-economy car with some cheaply and poorly executed design features as a utilitarian vehicle, like some of the Eastern European marques of the time like Škoda, and later Lada (which were relatively low-cost economy cars) popular with British consumers. At one point the basic Hillman Imp was the cheapest new car on the British market, which increased low sales figures for a time.

Every now and then we come across a very rare example and here is one of them, a Hillman Imp Super finished in white with a very fetching green interior. It was built in 1971 and registered overseas, we are not sure where but we do know it was a RHD country. At the time they were sent to various countries in CKD kit form, as a lot of British cars of the age were. It was registered in the UK on 22/3/1977 to its first UK owner, and has only had five previous owners since then, as confirmed by the V5 and HPi, which is clear. The Imp looks to be factory standard with no modifications, always a nice thing to see. It is in a well-presented condition but would benefit from a clean.

The paperwork is quite impressive with a collection of invoices and receipts, and older MOTs. This is complemented by a fresh MOT is valid until March 2027 even though it doesn’t require one, a nice touch. The paperwork carries on with a hand written notebook regarding work carried out and costs that were incurred along the way, as well as journey details. The vendor has informed us that the Imp has benefitted from an engine overhaul and this is evident when you look into the engine bay, which is very clean and detailed. If you are in the market for an Imp, you will go a long way to improve on this one.