Thursday 2nd May 1963
The Duke of Edinburgh launched the Hillman Imp basic and deluxe models at the official opening of Rootes’ Linwood car plant near Paisley in Scotland. When the Imp basic went on sale for £508 – featuring an engine fitted in the back and the boot at the front – it captured the imagination of the car-buying public. With a top speed of 78 mph and capable of going from 0 to 50 mph in under 15 seconds, it packed a punch. Sadly the car’s shortcomings soon became evident. The aluminium engines suffered blown gasket heads due to an inadequate cooling system, which, coupled with poor handling, faulty chokes and water leaks, led to a reduction in sales. In later years the Imp even featured in worst-ever-produced car polls.
