The Hillman Imp, my first car, I had my UK drivers licence at the age of 17, the next thing was to buy a Mk1 Imp. I now realise that with my fifty (50) years of Imp experience, I may have some past tips on the Imp to pass on? Since then there have been many other cars and things with motors in them that have come my way, this blog is about some of them. There is also a large inventory of Imp parts in stock, view the main blog on boats at http://ckdboats.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, 29 March 2016
Thursday, 24 March 2016
Todays Imp Californian pictures
The 1967 Imp Californian is now a good driver, pictures show the car with the engine running, it uses very little oil and thats over a twelve month period.
Made in Scotland in 1967 then restored in South Africa over the past 21 months.
Made in Scotland in 1967 then restored in South Africa over the past 21 months.
This really is a nice car now and still on the original matching numbers engine block, which has the same pistons and crank bearings that the Rootes factory fitted some forty nine years back, I fitted new piston rings about eight years back.
Click on the last two images for a larger image?
Roy
Wednesday, 16 March 2016
Hillman Imp front end strength.
The Hillman Imp frontal crash zone
A mention on the Imp Clubs forum of the front petrol tank had me remembering this picture.
This is not a picture I would normally post but given that the old style phone box was made from cast iron and really strong it does show the result of a rather spectacular crash.
Did the Imp roll into the phone box I wonder?
I have owned eleven Imps I think, the front petrol tank has never bothered me, its the same with millions of VW Beetle cars too.
Both designs have a spare wheel in the area and the Imps is right across the front of the petrol tank, which itself is a crumple defence?
Roy
Tuesday, 15 March 2016
Roys Imp racing years
This was mainly at the Killarney circuit just outside Cape Town City.
About 1972 to 1978 or there abouts, the car was quite successful, so much so that they banned it!
As I remember the 998cc Hillman Imp was lying forth in the Argus Saloon Car series, not bad for my first year and I still have the silver cups to remind me.
About 1972 to 1978 or there abouts, the car was quite successful, so much so that they banned it!
As I remember the 998cc Hillman Imp was lying forth in the Argus Saloon Car series, not bad for my first year and I still have the silver cups to remind me.









