The Hillman Imp as a see through picture

Seen here is an artists impression of whats under the skin of the Hillman Imp car, the early ones and pre Chrysler days and their take over, were known to be better built and stronger. Chrysler was not a good time for the Imp, they tried to make it for less and started taking body parts and trim out of the car.

The JoLon Imp, hopefully now passing through Kenya, is a Rootes built car, Terence Tracey had the option of a later but Chrysler built car and chose the earlier genuine Rootes car for its extra body strength. The stongest Imps ever produced were made in Portugal as a CKD ( complete knock down ) kit and as well as the normal spot welds, they then seam brazed the rest of the body!

Roy

Hillman Imps in Linwood, Scotland.

This is a great picture of Hillman Imps being transported and in the Imp factory at Linwood.

All nice and brand new, was this almost fifty years ago?

Roy

Erics Hillman Imp in Hout Bay and at the local primary school

I found this picture on a French web site just yesterday, Eric knew nothing about it.

Words from Eric, the cars owner.

That’s amazing – I took the Imp to pick Maxine up from school a couple of weeks ago and a guy took a photo of the car!!

Roy

Imp Mk1 Solex carb pipes

Seen here, the copper pipes warmed a bi metal spring in the Solex choke, when warmed correctly the choke would then be open.

To engage the choke you pressed the foot control once, then started the car, it would change the choke settings automatically from then on!

Roy

Hillman Imp Mk1 foot actuator

Basically as it was back in May 1963 when the Imp was first relased.

The unit worked well on the used Imp I started driving with.

Taken out of service as later assemblies gave some bother?

This gives a very smooth and progressive action.

Roy

Rootes R20 camshaft picture

This was IMPorted for the race Imp built up here in Cape Town over 2011/12 then exported to Scotland, where it came from originally of course!

The suppliers also sent the new tappet buckets and camshaft bearing set.

Setting the R20 camshaft up on a 998cc Imp Sport 180 series cylinder head, the timing is being set, note the dial gauge.

Set the lift on number one inlet valve to 0.113" of an inch with the number one piston
on TDC. Check the series of holes in the drive sprocket, this was Rootes Competions answer to easier camshaft timing over the Imps standard sprocket single hole.

Note the TDC on the steel pointer ( top dead center )

Roy

JoLon Imp to drive across Africa

Terence Tracey will soon be driving his specially prepared Hillman Imp all the way from Johannesburg, South Africa to London, England!

JoLon Imp 2013 fundraising dinner; 14th January @ Scrooge Diner Brightwater Commons 19h00.

 

The fund raiser was a great success, more donations will be most welcome and 15% of all funds raised do go to selected charities.

 

https://www.facebook.com/JoLonImp

Roy