Lot 301: 1965 Hillman Imp Racing Saloon

Rootes’ bold challenge to the all-conquering Mini was announced in 1960, commencing manufacture at the Group’s new Linwood factory in 1963. The Imp's design, by British standards, was as revolutionary as that of the Mini and placed the all-alloy engine/transmission package at the rear of the car. With only 875cc to play with, performance was adequate if not inspiring, 80mph being manageable under favourable conditions. Surprisingly, the Imp would turn out to have considerable competition potential, as evidenced by countless saloon car racing victories and three British Touring Car Championships.
In 2003 Rae Davis was looking for a racing saloon car suitable for that year’s St Mary’s Trophy at the Goodwood Revival and ended up buying this Hillman Imp from Ron Parker, who had campaigned it with considerable success over many years After an initial outing at Donington, where it qualified 1st in class, Impspeed was contracted to do the work necessary for Goodwood. This included fitting steel doors and boot lid, new wheel bearings, Rotoflex driveshaft couplings and a re-spray in the famous Fraser colours. At that time the car’s Reg Patten-prepared engine was producing at 100bhp at 9,000rpm.
Rae teamed up with Tony Jardine, as in previous years. After throwing a ’rod in practice, the spare engine was fitted overnight. After an excellent start and with hopes high of a charge through the field, the rotor arm (costing £2) broke, ending their race. Shortly afterwards the car passed into the hands of the current owner and was treated to a new 1,200cc Reg Patten engine with steel crankshaft, producing circa 135bhp at 7,800 revs (dynamometer sheet available from May 2008). A new Jack Knight gearbox was fitted also.
The Imp duly reappeared in 2005 at Mallory Park and Castle Combe, and featured in the ‘Tophat’ demonstration in the Live Arena at the 2006 Autosport Show, where as part of the group it completes a dozen shows in four days, thrilling the crowd. During 2007, Rae Davis tested the car at Goodwood and recorded a time of 1 minute 37 seconds, demonstrating again its inherent speed. Prepared for the 2008 season, the Imp achieved a time of 1 minute 2 seconds around the Brands Hatch Indy circuit at the Masters meeting with Rae driving. Since then the car has been fitted with new Lotus Rotoflex competition couplings, shock absorbers to rear and driveshafts.
A well-sorted and historically interesting car, fully prepared and eligible for a variety of different series, this Imp has been invited to form part of a special display at the Silverstone celebration of 50 years of the British Touring Car Championship and be driven by none other than Bill McGovern, who won the BTCC three times (1970-72) driving an Imp.