Imp, (noun), a mischievous child or little devil.
That word description is hardly something a standard Hillman Imp could embody, but James Williams‘ 1976 Imp – seen here on the Lancaster Pride of Ownership stand on the recent NEC Classic Motor Show – well and truly lives as much as its name.
While you consider compact classic British cars from the Sixties and ’70s, the Mini is probably going the primary and, for some, only guess. The Suez fuel crisis within the late-Fifties spurred other manufacturers to offer practical city cars for the masses, and Hillman got here up with the Imp.
Hillman’s entry into the foray was notable for a number of firsts. This was Britain’s first mass-produced automobile with the engine within the back, in addition to the primary with an aluminium block and cylinder head. Interestingly, an Imp even held a Cannonball record for a time period: Latest York to Los Angeles in 48 hours, averaging 63mph. This has ultimately been surpassed plenty of times, with the present record set at 25 hours and 39 minutes, with an 110mph average speed.
Through three revisions, nearly half one million Imps were sold within the 13 years it was in the marketplace. Sadly though, corrosion protection was not one among the automobile’s key selling points and, because of this, lower than 1,000 Imps remain registered within the UK today.
One in every of those 1,000 has been in James’ ownership for over 16 years – his first automobile no less. Serving as a each day driver, the Imp has seen a marriage, two children and various other life changes. The automobile itself has evolved in equal measure, with among the newer changes being probably the most radical.
There are few color schemes as revered because the red, blue and white of the Martini livery. It just about works on any automobile, and screams ‘motorsport’.
James’ Imp has been built to perform and look good. An Air Lift Performance V2 air suspension system allows the Hillman to tuck its custom-widened 100+ wheels with Force Racing lips under its guards.
A custom front spoiler and rear ducktail bookend the Imp’s side profile.
Elsewhere, modifications are way more subtly integrated. The sidelights are from a Range Rover Sport and the bonnet vents are Ford Sierra RS Cosworth items.
James is an automotive upholsterer by trade, and the Imp serves as a rolling portfolio of his craft. The Martini theme continues with re-trimmed Recaro Pole Position bucket seats, door cards and a leather-wrapped roll cage.
The rear seat delete hides the air suspension air tank and is home to a bespoke travel case.
The custom gear knob and window crank handles from Built By Basil further add to the Martini theme.
A subtle hint within the badge on the dash suggests all is just not because it seems under the engine cover out back.
Instead of the unique canted-over inline 4 now sits a BMW K1200RS motorcycle engine, mated to the Imp’s original gearbox via a custom kit. Thirty-seven horsepower has now change into 130, for 4 times the fun. One-hundred-and-thirty horsepower may not sound like loads, but to place it in perspective, James’ Imp now has a power-to-weight ratio of 180hp/tonne, which is similar as an R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R.
To support the rise in power, a bigger radiator and front brake setup from a Mk1 Ford Fiesta have been added. The gearbox is now the weakest link, with James mentioning that it wouldn’t delay well to hard launches. Once moving though, this BMW-powered Hillman really lives as much as its Imp nomenclature, and the engine swap has made the automobile way more driveable. Not having to shift all the way down to second gear to drive up hills anymore is slightly nice too.
Having no intention of ever selling the automobile, James’ Hillman will proceed to be a mirrored image of its owner; a continuing evolution of curated changes. James has taken what was a comparatively meek automobile and built something truly unique, which nowadays is a reasonably difficult task.
The trail less travelled might not be easy, but this Imp proves that it could be slightly rewarding.
Chaydon Ford
Instagram: chaycore
This Article First Appeared At www.speedhunters.com
