HillmAn imp How to buy a…

HOW TO BUY A…
Deal breaker
An exclamation mark indicates key areas
where you have the greatest bargaining
power. Use them to your advantage.
Practicality
What does it do well?
The Imp can carry four people in
comfort, and there’s a surprising
amount of room for luggage. The
area behind the rear seats is
accessed via the glass hatch and
provides a useful space. Working
on these cars is a doddle – even
removing the engine can be
done in about an hour by an
experienced owner.
What can’t it do?
BUYING GUIDE
No. 159
If you want to run it on
unleaded, the best advice is to
at least upgrade the valve seats.
If you’re going to cover lots of
miles, fully reconditioned
cylinder heads are available.
Rear seatbelts were never fitted,
which means you’ll have to get
a bespoke setup if you want to
carry children in the back.
Why you'll love it
Hillman Imp
Forget the Mini – if you want an entertaining small British car
from the 1960s, try Rootes’ little gem instead.
Words by James page Photography by Flow Images
Production
Timeline
Servicing and
maintenance
Every 5000 miles / 12 months
■ Change oil and filter.
■ Renew contact breaker points
and capacitor.
■ Check spark plugs.
■ Set ignition timing.
■ Check for any deterioration of
heater pipes.
■ Check throttle cable for signs
of fraying.
■ Inspect Rotoflex couplings.
■ Check antifreeze strength.
Every 15,000 miles
■ Check valve clearances.
■ Replace air filter.
■ Replace transaxle oil.
Coventry Climax engine. There
was also independent
suspension all round and rack
and pinion steering. The Imp
was fun to drive and seemed
destined for big things.
Unfortunately, early cars
developed a reputation for
unreliability and later industrial
unrest at the Linwood plant
didn’t help. Mud sticks, and the
Imp never achieved its potential.
These days, however, most of
the problems can be engineered
out, and what you’re left with is
a truly impressive little car. It’s
good even in standard spec, but
like its rival over at BMC, the Imp
proved popular with the
motorsport crowd. The free-
revving Climax engine could
easily be tweaked to provide
serious performance.
So whether you’re looking for
an economical urban runaround
or a competition car, the Imp
has got all bases covered. In the
present market, it also offers
superb value for money
compared to some of its rivals.
May 1963
October 1964
September 1965
Imp introduced with all-aluminium
overhead-cam engine developed
by Coventry Climax.
Singer Chamois variant introduced
with overriders, extra brightwork
and more trim.
Series 2 version launched with
improved interior, different wheel
trims and more sound deadening.
● Keen performance.
● Economical.
● Innovative design.
● Good spares availability.
● Enthusiastic club backup.
● Easily upgraded.
■ Rust
This can strike everywhere. Check
all the body panels as well as
underneath the car.
■ Overheating
The Imp’s engine is still vulnerable
to problems with the cooling
TECH SPEC
Hillman Imp
1963-76
■ engine 875cc
all-aluminium inline-four
■ power 34bhp
■ transmission
Four-speed manual,
all-synchromesh,
rear-wheel drive
■ front
suspension Coil
springs, swing axles
■ rear suspension
Every 20,000 miles
Coil springs, trailing arms,
telescopic dampers
■ BRAKES Drums fitted
all round
■ Drain and reverse-flush
cooling system.
!
Common faults
How to buy a…
T
Hillman Imp
The Imp’s Coventry Climax engine was
derived from a lightweight fire-pump unit.
!
he Imp was a bold step
forwards for Hillman,
who’d spent years
churning out traditional,
dependable family saloons.
Rootes went as far as to invest
in a new factory for their latest
model, which boasted a
rear-mounted all-aluminium
HOW TO BUY A…
DID YOU KNOW?
system. Ask the vendor how old
the radiator and water pump are.
■ wheels & tyres
4 x 12 (later cars had 4.5
x 12), 5.5 x 12 tyres
■ top speed 80mph
■ 0-60mph 23sec
■ Seals
Door seals can perish over time,
and modern replacements don’t
always fit as well as the originals.
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Market overview
Condition 1 – £3000
Absolutely perfect concours
cars might command more, but
realistically this will get you a
top-notch example such as the
one shown on these pages.
Condition 2 – £1500
This is the upper level for solid,
usable cars. You may well be
able to get something for
around a grand.
Condition 3 – £500
Cars at this money will need
some work doing. Total basket
cases are worth as much as
you’re willing to pay for them.
In other words, not much.
October 1966
Sport version introduced with twin
Stromberg carburettors, uprated
engine and servo brakes.
October 1968
Restyled front end and interior
layout updated.
October 1974
Alternator fitted in place of
dynamo. Heated rear window
fitted as standard.
Spring 1976
Imp discontinued after 440,032
had been built.
May 1963-Spring 1976
106 CLASSICS MONTHLY JANUARY 2010
JANUARY 2010 CLASSICS MONTHLY
107
HOW TO BUY A…
HOW TO BUY A…
DID YOU KNOW?
Hillman Imp
Hillman Imp
Development engineer Mike Parkes was a successful
racing driver who later drove in F1 for Ferrari.
Interior
!
Engine
The Imp’s 875cc engine is a
willing performer and easily
tuned. Overheating is the
powerplant’s main enemy,
though. It leads to warping in the
faces of the aluminium cylinder
head and block. The use of that
material means that the head
bolts are set to a lower torque
than many other engines – it’s
easy to overtighten them.
Heater
Check that this is working. The pipes
run from the engine through box
sections in the sills, and can pinch
where they have to turn through
two sharp angles.
Check carefully for water in the
oil and evidence of overheating
during a test drive. Regular
servicing, especially in terms of oil
changes, is essential. Imp engines
are known to leak a small amount
of oil, but it shouldn’t be excessive.
Water pump bearings tended to
fail, and the pumps themselves
could corrode. Later cars are better,
but all will need checking. Ensure
that the fan belt isn’t too tight and
that the heater works as it should.
A conscientious owner will
know that regularly reverseflushing the system helps prevent
blockages, and uprated radiator
cores are available. Ask them how
old the radiator and water pump
are. Also check that the correct
antifreeze mix with corrosion
inhibitors has been used.
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Mechan p are less
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Window seals
Original rubber fits well but
modern replacements don’t
always do the same. Ensure
they’re not leaking anywhere,
allowing moisture into the car.
Bodywork
John Holloway,
Imp Owners Club
The Imp’s structure suffers badly
from corrosion, and they’re not
easy to restore. To ensure you’re
seeing everything, you’ll need to
be able to get underneath the
car to check the floor and the
crossmember mountings. Early
cars had drain holes in the
floorpan as well as better-quality
steel, so these can survive
longer than later cars. Even so,
examine the floors carefully, as
well as the rear wheelarches.
The sills and lower edges of
the rear panels are also common
weak points. Check carefully for
filler. The areas at the bottom of
the rear wings collect all sorts of
moisture and debris from the
road, so these can soon rot
through. At the other end of the
car, have a look at the condition
of the front valance to make
sure there are no cracks or
corrosion. The whole of the front
‘boot’ panel is also susceptible
to rust – check for bubbling
paint as the first indication.
108 CLASSICS MONTHLY JANUARY 2010
Another vital reason for being
able to get underneath any
prospective purchase is to check
the condition of the Rotoflex
driveshaft couplings. Ensure
they’re free of oil and cracks. If
one was to break, the driveshaft
could flail around and cause all
sorts of damage to everything
else in the vicinity.
Kingpins must be greased
frequently and properly, so check
for evidence of that. The steering
rack should be smooth and
positive, with no ‘notchiness’ or
excess play. Look at the dampers
to make sure they’re not seized or
leaking. Don’t be surprised to find
replacement parts here – Spax
dampers are a popular upgrade.
DIY friendly
Value for money
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Total
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2
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3
3
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21/25
We like…
The performance on offer,
superb handling, good
interior packaging, great
value for money, potential for
engine upgrades.
Mini
£500-£8000
!
Owner’s view
Running gear
Practicality
Economy
Spares
Or try these…
Check that all these are present
and working correctly. The dash
layout changed significantly with
the Series 2 cars of 1968, and
finding switchgear can be hard.
Useful rear glass hatch gives good access to area behind seats.
Hillman Imp
£500-£3000
We don’t like…
The rust problems and
potential overheating from
the Climax engine. The
cooling system can be
high-maintenance.
Instruments
“I bought my first
Imp in 1976 to go
rallying with. I’ve
owned plenty of them over the
years, but I didn’t actually intend
buying this one. It was being
sold by the daughter of the chap
who’d owned it since new. He’d
really looked after it – writing
down everything he did in
notebooks that came with the
car. I’d intended to sell it for his
daughter, but once I saw it I
knew I had to have it – you
don’t see many of them like this.
“I’ve had to change the clutch,
the front dampers and the
carpet, but other than that it’s
hardly needed any work. We’ve
gone from John O’Groats to
Land’s End on a charity run,
doing 250 miles a day, and it
was superb. However, you do
learn to carry a bottle of water
with you wherever you go.”
CM says…
Great parts and club backup,
but an obvious choice and
getting more expensive.
Cooling is the major
consideration on the
all-aluminium engine.
Clubs & specialists
■H
illman Imp Owners Club
Active club with superb
internet forum and excellent
spares division.
www.theimpclub.co.uk
Super was a mid-range model with
better interior trim and other upgrades.
Worthy upgrades
■ Inertia reel seatbelts. Static
Rootes also made Singer
Chamois and Sunbeam Stiletto
versions of this model.
belts standard in front. No rear
belts but these can be retrofitted – seek specialist advice.
■ Electronic ignition.
■ Disc brakes.
■ Temperature gauge – not
fitted to all models as standard.
■M
alcolm Anderson
Imp specialist
01823 350360
www.malcolmanderson.co.uk
Ford Anglia
£300-£2000
Capable and charming, with
nimble handling and keen
engines. Good value.
■ S peedy Spares
All Rootes Group cars
www.speedyspares.co.uk
Thanks to
John Holloway for bringing
along his immaculate Imp for
us to photograph.
Renault 8
£1200-£3500
Packaged in a very similar way
to the Imp, but rare on UK
shores these days.
Turn over to P111 for your Hillman quick view checks
JANUARY 2010 CLASSICS MONTHLY
109
HOW TO BUY A…
DID YOU KNOW?
Hillman Imp
The Imp’s testing took in routes around London and
Birmingham, as well as a 2500-mile continental version.
QUICK VIEW Checks
10
Essential
Reminders
Key areas to inspect carefully. Your final offer price should reflect their condition.
Tick off our vital checks
for peace of mind
2
Floorpans
Earlier cars were made
with better metal, but
whatever the age of Imp,
lift the carpets and check
the floorpans.
3
Rear arches
Moisture and debris
thrown up from the rear
wheels tends to collect
around the arches and rot
them out.
Sills
!
Check all along their length
to make sure they’re solid.
Repairs or weak spots on
the inner section are easily
hidden with decent outers.
4
Front bootlid
The leading edge and the
rear corners are susceptible
to rust. Also check the
shallow channel running
beneath the lid’s rear edge.
9
cut along dashed line and take this guide with you on the daY of viewing
These can wear out at the
rear of the base. The
mounting points on the
crossmember can also
wear so check the seat is
securely fitted.
7
Switchgear
It can be difficult to source
the correct parts for some
versions of the Imp, so
make sure the interior’s as
complete as possible.
!
Check for milky deposits
that signify there’s water
in the oil.
7
10
3
1
2
8
Seats
Oil filler cap
6
4
5
6
5
Cut out
this page
1
8
Kingpins
! 9
These must be greased
frequently and properly.
Check for recent attention.
Front wing
10
Pay special attention to the
area at the back of the
front wing, where moisture
coming down the A-post
can get trapped.
Doors
Look along the bottoms of
the doors for rust, and
make sure the panel gaps
are even all round.
JANUARY 2010 CLASSICS MONTHLY
111
HOW TO BUY A…
Hillman Imp
Glovebox
Wizard
Our vital, take-with-you guide. It could save you a lot more than money.
Tick off our vital checks
for peace of mind
Viewing an Imp
Overall condition, originality and
completeness should dictate the
price you pay.
Glovebox Wizard is designed
to act as a timely reminder when
viewing, drawing your attention
to areas it’s easy to forget or
which an unscrupulous seller
might try to distract you from.
Begin by judging the overall
appearance of the car. What are
the panels gaps like? Is the
engine original? Resprayed?
Pre-viewing questions
Glovebox Wizard can also be
used to ask questions confidently
whether via phone or computer
before you commit time and
incur costs to view. Knowledge
is power when buying any car so
arm yourself from the start and
get the best deal possible.
Caveat emptor
If the deal is too good to be true
then look carefully for the catch.
Buyer beware.
Fit your garage?
Engine
❏ Length 11ft 9in
❏ Width 5ft
❏ Height 4ft 6in
Cold and off
❏ Check oil filler cap for milky
deposits
Identification
Cold and running
❏ Chassis ID plate
On early cars, on the side of the
engine bay above the three-way
bleed valve. Later models had a
plate on the centre of the front
slam panel.
❏ Fanbelt not overtightened
❏ Even idle
❏ No excessive smoke
❏ No ‘clattering’ noises
Warm and running
❏ Revs freely
❏ Not overheating
Do
Don't
✔ Get underneath the car to
✘ Worry too much about minor
check properly for corrosion.
✔ Make sure the engine’s cold
when you arrive, and allow
it to build to temperature.
✔ Check the paperwork to see
that service schedules have
been adhered to, and to
check the age of components
in the cooling system.
✔ Take the car on a longenough test drive to take in
different types of road.
✔ Expect a good Imp to drive
well. If the gearbox feels
dodgy or the engine won’t
pull, suspect problems.
✔ Join the owners club. They’ve
got an excellent online forum
that’ll provide valuable info.
mechanical problems if the
car has a solid shell.
Bodywork considerations are
more important when
looking at an Imp.
✘B
uy one if you’re not
convinced by it. You’ll be able
to find another one.
✘ T hink that because an Imp
looks solid on the outside,
it’s okay underneath.
✘ S et your heart on a Sport if
you’ve found a really solid
base model. Buy on
condition, not spec.
✘B
e surprised to find all sorts
of upgrades. Imps lend
themselves well to engine
and suspension mods.
Bodywork
Interior
❏ Sills
❏ Wings
❏ Bootlid
❏ Door bottoms
❏ Suspension mounts
❏ Seats mounted securely
❏ All instruments present
❏ No tears
❏ Condition of door glass seals
❏ Heater working
Test drive
112 CLASSICS MONTHLY JANUARY 2010
A good Imp will be a
revelation on the road.
cut along dashed line and take this guide with you on the daY of viewing
The driving position in an Imp
should be comfortable for short
and tall drivers alike. The pedals
are slightly offset to the left but
you get used to that. The large
glass area means that visibility is
superb all round. Glass is still
available secondhand if needed.
Even in standard tune, the little
Coventry Climax engine should
run sweetly and offer impressive
performance. They love to rev,
too. If the car you’re testing feels
sluggish, something’s amiss.
The gearbox is one of the car’s
strong points. It should feel
positive, quick and run quietly.
If there’s a whining noise that
disappears when you put the
clutch pedal down, the input
bearing is worn. Another way to
spot a worn clutch is to drop the
car down to 20mph in top gear,
then accelerate hard. The drum
brakes are good, and should pull
you up in a straight line.