Hillman’s rear-engined Imp, launched in 1963 and built until the mid-1970s, was the right car at the wrong time. If it had not had to compete with BMC’s well established Mini, and if it had not been made by a financially ailing Rootes group, it could have been a great success. The design, in other words, was much more successful than its sales.
For the Rootes Group, already famous for building a series of conventional Hillmans, Humbers and Sunbeams, the decision to develop a new small car was extremely brave. Having looked closely at cars like the Mini, the Ford Anglia and the Triumph Herald, Rootes cast convention to the winds and opted for a rear-engined car – the ‘Apex’ project.
The engine was located in the tail, and the transmission ahead of it. This meant developing a new alloy engine (which was based on a Coventry-Climax racing design), transmission and all-independent suspension layout. Swing axle front suspension, and semi-trailing arms at the rear were remarkably effective, much of the luggage was stowed up front, but there was also space behind the rear seats, ahead of the engine.
Functionally, the new ‘Apex’ (which would eventually carry Hillman, Singer, Sunbeam and Commer badges) was advanced and successful. The style of the saloons was craggy in the extreme (the rear-engined Chevrolet Corvair was thought to be an inspiration), but it was much more roomy than the Mini, and had a useful lift-up rear window feature. |
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Though the Imp’s weight was heavily biased towards the rear, the handling was remarkably good, the steering inch-perfect, and the traction superb. If only the first cars’ reliability had been better, and the prices a little lower, the Imp might have successfully established itself.
The problem, however, was that for political and employment purposes, Rootes had been obliged to build Imps at a factory near Glasgow, in Scotland, with an inexperienced workforce, while engines and transmissions were assembled in the Midlands, and much shuffling of components ensued. To make a great car from this frame-work was almost impossible.
Early reliability problems were eliminated within two or three years, but in spite of a facelift, and the introduction of sporty versions, the Imp project always struggled to make its mark. Yet this was unwarranted. Singer types were much better furnished, Sunbeams had more powerful engines and 90 mph performance, while the fastback coupé versions (notably the Sunbeam Stiletto) were chic and well specified. A successful race and ‘works’ rally programme ( which included success in the British Saloon Championship) helped underpin the image. More than 440,000 of all varieties were made before 1976. Now that these cars are retired, they have an enthusiastic following.
The rear-engine design of Hillman Imp was a great success. However, due to the political pressure, Rootes built the car with an inexperienced Scottish workforce, which contributed to early reliability problems and undermined sales.
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