052 Hillman Imp Deluxe (Mk.1) Panda Car (1964) AVK 934 B by Robert Knight
Via Flickr:
Hillman Imp (1963-76) Engine 875 cc S4 OC Production 440,032 Registration Number AVK 934 B (Tyne and Wear) HILLMAN ALBUM www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/sets/72157623789458598... Developed under the project name Apex by the Rootes Group to take on the BMC Mini, though the Imp arrived 4 years later than the Mini. Powered by an all aluminium 875cc rear mounted engine . With versions badge engineered as Singer and Sunbeam. Rootes had been given a Government grant for a new assembly plant and a stake in a brand new Pressed Steel plant to be built in Linwood, Glasgow then an employment black spot. But production was beset with stoppages and costs incurred in producing the engine casting at Linwood then transporting them to Ryton, Coventry to be machined and assembled before transporting back to Linwood for to be put in the cars, a return journey of 600 miles. Despite these problems the Imp did prove popular, though not as much as the Mini and the extra cost made them barely profitable The Imp was an innovative car, and was the first mass-produced car with the engine block and cylinder head cast in aluminium. it used a space-saving rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout to allow as much luggage and passenger capacity as possible and a unique opening rear hatch to allow luggage to be put into the back seat rest. it was one of the earliest mass produced British cars to have an engine in the back and the first car to use a diaphragm spring clutch. The unorthodox small/light car was designed for the Rootes Group by Formula One driver Michael Parkes and Tim Fry. and gained a reputation as a successful rally car when Rosemary Smith won the Tulip Rally in 1965. This led the Rootes Group to produce a special rally conversion of the Imp under both the Hillman and Singer marques known as the Imp Rallye. The Imp was also successful in touring car racing when Bill McGovern won the British Saloon Car Championship in 1970, 1971 and 1972. The Imp continued in production following the Chrysler takeover of the Rootes Group in 1967 until 1976 selling just under half a million units in 13 years. PANDA CARS Not sure if this Hillman Imp was ever a Panda Car, but Imps were supplied to a number of Constabularies, during the roll out of Police Panda Car duties, with at one time over 300 Imps used in the role. The Panda car came about from August 1966 when the home office in an attempt to improve the use of man-power in Police Forces throughout the country, Enabling a Police Constable to cover a far wider area more effectively than was possible on foot or a bicycle. Manufacturers of small cars were asked a variety of models for evaluation, in the case of Rootes six Imps were submitted. Finished in Powder Blue they were painted in Panda car livery by the Service Workshop at Stoke, Coventry. The six cars were delivered to Newton Abbott Division of the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary. The experiment began on March 1st, 1967, with the cars in use 24 hours a day manned by three one man crews of Police Officers, with their beat including Dartmoor. The cars were equipped with form of shovels, police signs, and fire extinguishers and the Police Constable driver was equipped with a personal radio set, in order to maintain contact with HQ. The cars maintenance was constantly monitored, and by the end of the experiment in August 1967, the cars had covered a total of 120,000 miles, receiving a favourable report and were recommended for service. Devon and Cornwall subsequently purchased Imps as Panda Cars, as did Kent, Surrey, Northumberland, Durham, Somerset, Norfolk, York and many Scottish constabularies. Diolch am 93,278,063 o olygfeydd anhygoel, mae pob un yn cael ei werthfawrogi'n fawr. Thanks for 93,278,063 amazing views, every one is greatly appreciated. Shot 24.04.2022 at the Sandbach Festival of Transport 159-052
