1965 Hillman Super Imp Ex-Works Rally

Extensively developed for Historic Rally Car Register (HRCR), long distance HERO/European historic road rally events, or the Monte-Carlo Historique, this is a highly competitive Super Imp.

Originally factory entered for David Pollard (’65 RAC, ’66 Scottish and ’66 Gulf London), FHP 906C was one of a series of Imps prepared by the Rootes Competitions Department under the supervision of the foreman, Jim Ashworth. They were intended as second tier works cars, for loaning to promising privateers, and for events where official factory entries weren’t allowed.

FHP was bought by the current owner’s father directly ‘ex-works’ from Rootes in 1967, and used by him on the Scottish and Circuit of Ireland in 1968.

After selling it, in later life he tracked it down and had it rebuilt with no expense spared, and used it for a last fling on the Neath Valley stages. The current owner inherited it more than 10 years ago and undertook LE JOG in it in his father’s memory, with the car being awarded the Concours de Confort et d’Equipement.

A few years later a new restoration was needed, and the car was returned to its original Forest Green colour, with more attention paid to giving it a period look. Already highly competitive on loose surface or low grip special tests, lessons learnt from LE JOG were employed to make it comfortable and tractable on the regularity and link sections, whilst also a clear test winner.

A fresh 998cc competition engine, new competition gearbox with ‘Monte Carlo’ gear ratios, new suspension, wiring, instrumentation and seating, among other developments have made the car exactly as intended.

A bedding-in event on a HERO Challenge gave an opportunity to adjust damper settings and tyre pressures throughout the day. The end set-up saw it fastest overall on the final two tests.

The second restoration has been on-going for a number of years. Recognised rally Imp restoration expert Clark Dawson sorted the bodywork and repainted the car in the correct period Forest Green, then stored it while the engine was built by Phil Davison, with guidance from Ben Boult. Phil and Ben were apprentices at Rootes during the Imp competition heyday. Ben specialised in Imps, while Phil went on to build all the World Championship Sunbeam Lotus works engines before going on to Mitsubishi Ralliart.

The engine build ended up as something of a labour of love (as the bill for parts indicates) but the result is superb. It’s now properly bedded in, having done around 1500 miles only, with running in, an autotest and a Hero event. The tappet clearances were checked and carbs set on a rolling road by Ralph Saunders, a racing engine specialist.

The transmission was built by Dave Weedon. It’s in a fully strengthened box with a Quaife helical gear kit. The result is excellent – no whine, well-place ratios and a strong transmission. It has a larger, more tactile Jaguar E-Type gear knob, fitted by the owner’s late father (he was sales manager of Jaguar specialist Coombs in the ’60s.) 

Specifications:

Engine

Full competition 998cc.

Twin 40 weber carburettors on 32mm chokes.

R20 camshaft.

Competition valve springs, cam bearings and steel cam followers.

Ported seated bronze guides.

Big valves (Inlet 1.400 / Exhaust 1.200).

Deep pulleys.

Large capacity sump.

Strengthened block.

Competition clutch.

Mocal heavy-duty oil cooler.

Competition distributor, points and remote condenser.

ITG air filter.

Build dyno test to 8400 rpm – dyno and rolling road results available.

Valve clearances and carb adjustments checked after running in – rolling road recheck.

Transmission

Dave Weedon built mk3 transaxle with a Quaife 4-speed helical gear cluster (ratios 14.95, 8.9, 6.18, 4.48).

Competition diff pin.

Lotus Rotoflex couplings (spare new pair included).

Steering, braking and suspension

Adjustable and strengthened trackrods.

Correct period compliant front disc set up.

Rear drums, with Mintex competition pads.

New ‘Monte Carlo’ spring set (recently fitted).

Historic compliant adjustable dampers (Mike Dent).

The extensive cage, competition seats and rally gauges leave you in absolutely no doubt as to this car’s purpose, although it’s more luxurious than some competition cars as it still has carpets. There are some paint chips on the cage but other than that this is like a freshly prepared rally car.

Specifications

Full rewire (Mike Dent/Century Autosport) with subsequent extensive additional work.

Heated front screen.

New period style Cobra seats, with headrests.

Genuine Springalex steering wheel.

Smiths electronic instrumentation (period look, but fully adjustable for wheel sizes).

Brantz trip meter.

Extensive undersealing to provide protection during winter rally conditions means this Imp is thoroughly sound underneath.

There are still things to do, and of course the car will need setting up to suit the new owner's style and chosen event type: it’s currently on new Monte Carlo springs, so the damper settings will need adjusting to suit. The clutch master cylinder has been replaced, but there is still an occasional noise when the clutch is depressed.

There is a slight oil leak from the oil cooler pipe union. This was repaired with some modern hydraulic pipe joints, but they didn’t clear the sump guard. The owner has now sourced replacement original joints, but these will need fitting.

There are invoices present for all the major items. Although the owner has lots of his father’s pictures, rally plates and even the cup from 3rd in class on the Circuit of Ireland, he didn’t have much covering the car’s Works period.

He also struggled to track down David Pollard. Then, on his way back from the finish of LE JOG, late at night in a petrol station on the M6, a chap looking round the car claimed his step dad ‘used to rally one of those’. It turned out to be David Pollard’s stepson.

The owner went with the works Sunbeam Tiger historian Graham Rood to see David, who was very generous. He recounted his event history with the car, told some fascinating stories and donated some great period photos. A favourite is a Rootes press release shot showing him being flagged away by Graham Hill, with son Damon looking on.

Included in the sale are:

Extensive period photographic record from the factory and the owner’s father’s original ownership, some copied from David Pollard’s collection and some original.

Original Rootes documentation, including purchase receipt.

Rally plate from the 1968 Circuit of Ireland.

Award for 3rd in class as above.

Workshop manual.

Various books.

Imp Sport brochure.

FIA regularity pass.

MSA Stage rally log book (expired).

DVLA V5.

Spares included in the sale are:

New Lotus Rotoflex couplings.

Rebuilt water pump.

Competition gearbox – lowered 3rd and 4th gear (excellent condition, but odd ratios).

Original instrumentation.

Original Halda Speedpilot (see Circuit of Ireland photo from rear).

Alternative Ricky Evans designed air filter snorkel set up.

Starter motor.

RAC spring set (used).

Original spotlights, plus Lucas 20/20 for a 4 spot set up (allowed in European events).

New studded ice tyres on fresh wheels – European E marked – ideal for Monte-Carlo Historique/ The Winter Trial.

Various additional 12 and 13in wheels and tyres.

It’s becoming harder to get an entry to some of the prestigious European historic motorsport events, and also to some of the historic shows and competitive hill climbs in the UK – Shelsley Walsh Nostalgia or Kop, for example. Getting an entry is much easier with a period history, and photos to support it.

This Imp has all this in spades and almost guarantees its new owners an entry. Not only that, it’s a highly competitive car, with all the major components designed and built by leading Imp experts.

The engine/transmission set up is easily up to running in speed events if the new owner preferred, but a bit of lightening might be needed – removing the carpets and fitting Perspex windows for instance.  Our estimate for this car is £21,000 - £31,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon. Our offices are open Mon-Fri 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. To arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions'.