Finding a Mark 2 Hillman Imp in Cape Town

This is a rare event and its now about six years since I bought the last one, the garage had a selection of old cars all over the place, they were delighted I made an offer on the Imp. (The subject of this blog is a car found earlier)

This car is most probably a South African assembled Imp and  was discovered in an open but fenced off lot in Maitland just outside Cape Town city, I bought it for the parts and body, the engine was in bits, the camshaft missing.
The pictures are dated 30th October 1997, we will have bought the car early that year or in 1996?

When the car was taken home and checked out, I discovered the shell was mainly in good condition, this was a low mileage car with all the suspension points rot free.

It was some months later I had the car licenced and on the road. This is Jean outside the workshops at 34 Glynn Street, Cape Town.

Building up the new engine from spares was not a problem, at this stage there was the Mk2 head and single Solex carburetor, later I added the Sport head and camshaft, plus the Sports twin Stromberg 125CD carbs.

I sold the car to Eric who is an ex Imper and a good friend one Christmas Day, he walked around from his home close by. It was the start of a major make over, the car is just stunning today.

From the scrap heap to one of the best Imps in the country!

Eric imported brand new Lucas rear tail lights, the car is worth it and really makes the job complete.


Roy