Zagatos Hillman Zimp - the prettier Imp
06/27/2012
It was more elegant and lighter than the technology donor Hillman Imp, the Hillman Zimp, three examples of which were built in the Zagato premises in Milan in just under nine months (photo by Tim Machin). The vehicles were based on two new and one used Imp Deluxe. Thanks to aluminum bodies, the Zimps weighed significantly less than a standard Imp at 630 kg despite their greater overall length. And they were also significantly prettier, as the bodywork followed the usual Italian ideals of the time. Chrome trim was largely dispensed with.
Zagato wanted to build the vehicles itself in cooperation with Rootes in a specially founded English subsidiary and sell them for just under 1,000 pounds, which was considerably more expensive than what was charged for the normal Imp.
The Zimp (for Zagato-Imp) was proudly presented at the Earls Court Show in London in October 1964. The Automobil Revue wrote :
"Last but not least, the Hillman Imp, known as the ZIMP and dressed by coachbuilder Zagato, deserves a mention. No one would suspect that this beautiful, red-painted aluminum body (10% weight reduction) conceals Scottish Imp engines, and certainly not when you take a seat in the interior and enjoy not only the excellent visibility, but also the soignée interior and the seating comfort. At the moment, the ZIMP still has the standard aluminum engine with 39 hp, but Zagato is said to be working on a more powerful version. The British Zagato company is also considering assembling this jewel, which costs less than £1000, in small series directly in England."
The re-bodied Imp even made it into the 1965 Automobil Revue catalog, a clear indication of the anticipated production plans. But things turned out differently, Chrysler was not impressed by the plans and blocked the project thanks to its 50% stake in the Rootes Group. So it remained with the three prototypes, all of which are said to have survived.
A pity, the combination of Italian design and innovative English engineering would have made perfect sense.
We will soon be publishing a comprehensive and lavishly illustrated report on the equally interesting "normal" Hillman Imp.
