Instead of unisex, the gender-specific trolley for women and men
To attract attention at the New York Auto Show 50 years ago (November 17 - 22, 1965), Rootes Motors came up with something very special. They presented the Sunbeam Imp as the "Lady Imp" and "Lord Imp", each with a gender-specific modification.
The "Lady Imp" was intended to be the "ultimate gift" from a man to his wife, because according to the press release at the time, the husband would hardly have wanted to drive it. The Lady Imp was equipped with typically feminine accessories - hairdryer, princess cell phone and make-up console - the seats were upholstered with floral patterns and the entire car was painted and decorated in a lady-like manner (including wheel covers and door handles). In addition, "Frau" received an assorted luggage set in the same floral pattern. Rootes wanted USD 3,700 for the Lady Imp, but in the States you also got a full-blown road cruiser for that.
And the counterpart? The "Lord Imp" (pictured above) resembled a boat on the outside, Rootes spoke of a "nautical" theme, which was enhanced on the inside by a radio for communication from sea to land. There was also a flag pattern for the seats, a powerful horn and a razor, among other accessories.
It is doubtful whether the two gender-specific cars really became a hit, but TV star Edie Adams ("Murel Girl") did buy one of the blue Lady Imps.
