The Imp Site

Hillman Super Imp

Hillman Super Imps were taken in production in September 1965 and continued up to the last days of the Imp in March 1976.

João Gustavo Neves' Hillman Super
Imp (1971) and his nephew Diogo (1990)

It was launched when the basic saloon was dropped from the range and the Deluxe Mark II made its appearance. The Super Imp had superior fixtures and fittings to put it roughly midway between the Deluxe and the Chamois. It had the same mechanical specifications as the normal DeLuxe (itself improved in detail), but its furnishing and fittings were not as basic. Its style differed from the Chamois, as it had a more 'flash' appearance.

Externally the new Super Imp distinguised itself from de Imp de luxe by:

its dummy front grille
double chrome side mouldings (with black between for all colour schemes)
chrome rubbing strips, protecting the lid of rear engine compartment
new emblems. These emblems consist of a crown and the inscription 'Super Imp', and they are found on the front grille, the rear quarter pillars and on the rear of the engine compartment.
wheel trim discs, similar to those on the Singer Chamois
distinctive colour and trim schemes.

Inside the car, the emphasis is on more luxury than the de luxe sports:

padded trim in high grade material
door operated courtesy lights
twin tone horns
the door trim is less spartan and includes a garnish rail.
the bench seat in the rear is re-shaped to give a 'double bucket' effect for better lateral support
moulded foam plastic has been added to the rear side pockets to enable them to serve also as arm rests
ashtrays are styled into the body-work

The Hillman Imp Super was the first Hillman to feature full carpeting. Previous Hillmans were either rubber mats or carpeted rear and rubber mat front.

Other features of the Super Imp include:

more extensive application of sound deadening materials and treatment below decks with an underchassis sealing compound, which should also assist durability

The uninspired name came from the Humber Super Snipe and the Super Minx.

Weights of the
Imp Super,
as listed in catalogues

1967
1968
1969
1971
1973 1,578 lbs
1,578 lbs
1,577 lbs
1,577 lbs
1,560 lbs

As the weight of the panels did not vary (research on body panels confirms this), it is supposed that it must have been the trim.

Dutch newspaper De Tijd De Maasbode wrote on November 20th 1965 that Hillman brought the 'Super Imp' to the market. They named as the main features: different grille, chrome strips to protect the hood, wheel trim rings, two ashtrays in the rear compartment, arm rests next to the rear seat, a Dual Tone horn and several other improvements.

Eric Gillies' interesting Hillman Imp Super

Hillman Super Imp saloon Spring Special

During spring 1967 a special batch of Imp Supers was sold in the UK for £482. They were silver grey metallic, with special bumpers and whitewall tyres.
Apparantly these vehicles had been a special batch, that had been assembled for the Canadian market, but the order was cancelled.

Chassis numbers: B 44 20 30 297 HSO was one of these.

From a folder 'The latest Hillman Super Imp' : Confidential : Facts for the salesman. - Chrysler Rootes. - Ref 123H; 1/98/4

New sales-winning features

STYLING REFINEMENTS.
- Smart body mouldings,
- decorative aluminium panels front and rear.
- 'Imp Super' badge
SEATlNG OF NEW DESIGN.
- Individual front seats have improved slide action and anti-tilt device.
- Contoured rear seats have spring case.
- AMBLA trim.
SMART FULL-WIDTH FACIA, finished black.
- Matching glove box, lockable.
- Padded crash roll
SEPARATE CIRCULAR INSTRUMENTS.
- Printed electrical circuit
PADDED 2-SPOKE STEERING WHEEL - smarter, safer.
- Slim steering column.
- New combined flashing indicator/ horn/ headlamp flasher switch lever in cowl
HEATING/VENTILATION UNIT - new styling,
- improved controls. (Blower standard)
CENTRE ASH-TRAYS, front and rear
POWERFUL WINDSCREEN WIPER
ANTI-BURST DOOR LOCKS,
- self-cancelling locking system
SMOOTHER GEARCHANGE.
- Improved synchromesh, (as late '68 models)
NEW COLOUR RANGE

Plus all the proved Super Imp features

BIG-CAR STYLING,
- normal-size wheels.
- Compact, convenient size
BIG-CAR COMFORT.
- Elegant, spacious interior.
- Generous legroom,
- wide doors,
- carpeted floor,
- door-operated courtesy light
LIVELY 875 C.C. LIGHTWEIGHT ENGINE.
- Proved performance, economy and reliability.
- Overhead camshaft, 4-speed all-synchro gears, self-adjusting clutch
INDEPENDENT 4-WHEEL SUSPENSION
BIG LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT.
- Folding rear seat.
- Opening rear window (with lock).
- Rear parcels shelf,
- 4 stowage pockets,
- front luggage compartment (with interior lock).
- 19¾ cu. ft. luggage space
HILLMAN QUALITY CONSTRUCTION & FINISH

Hillman Super Imp
Modern Motoring and Travel 1966, Sept. - p.3
ENGINE		MOTOR		MOTEUR
Four cylinder with overhead valves operated by single overhead camshaft. Aluminium alloy cylinder block with detachable aluminium alloy cylinder head. Bore and Stroke: Cubic capacity: B.H.P.: Maximum torque: Compression ratio: Lubrication: Oil capacity: Fuel system:	68 by 60.375 mm. 875 c.c. 42 gross (39 nett) at 5,000 r.p.m. 55.6 lb./ft. at 2,800 r.p.m. 10 : 1 pressure by Hobourn Eaton pump with full-flow filter 5.5 pints Solex 30 PIH5 downdraught carburettor, AC mechanical pump		3.125 ltr.
TRANSMISSION		TRANSMISSIE		TRANSMISSION
Clutch make: clutch type: clutch diameter: Gearbox: Synchromesh: Gear ratios: Reverse: Final drive type: Final drive ratio. Overall gear ratios: Reverse:	Laycock diaphragm, self-adjusting hydraulic operation 6.25 in. 4-speed in unit with engine (aluminium alloy casting) on all forward gears 0.852, 1.174, 1.833 and 3.417 to 1 2.846 to 1 hypoid trans-axle and crown wheel and pinion 4.857 to 1 Alunimium alloy casing. 4.138, 5.702, 8.905 and 16.595 to 1 13.824 to 1.		159 mm.
SUSPENSION		OPHANGING		SUSPENSION
Front, independent by swing axle and coil springs. Rear, independent by traling arms and coil springs. Shock absorbers: telescopic hydraulic front and rear.
STEERING		STUURSYSTEEM		DIRECTION
Make: Type: Turns, lock to lock:	Engineering Productions Rack and pinion with two-spoke steering wheel 2.6
BRAKES		REMMEN		FREINS
Make: Type: front: rear: Drums, diameter: Brake lining width: Total brake lining area:	Girling hydraulic drum two-leading shoe leading and trailing shoe 8.0 in. 1.5 in. 75 sq.in.		203 mm. 38.1 mm. 484 cm²
GENERAL DATA
Wheel base: Track (front): Track (rear): Overall length: Overall width: Overall height: Ground clearance (laden): Turning circle: Weight unladen (with petrol and water): Tank capacity:	6 ft.10 in. 4ft. 1½ in. 4ft. ½ in. 11 ft. 7 in. 5 ft. in. 4 ft. 6 in. 5 in. 30 ft. 6 in. 1,535 lbs 6 imp. galls.

Price

Oct. 1965	before tax	total
Imp Mk II	£ 445	£ 539 5s. 5d.
Super Imp	£ 467	£ 565 17s. 1d.

Literature

The Imp goes super. - Motor 1965, October 2. - pp.34-35

The Imp Site
   The Imp family
      A Super Imp with double headlights
   Imp photos: Super Imps

Weights of the Imp Super, as listed in catalogues
1967 1968 1969 1971 1973	1,578 lbs 1,578 lbs 1,577 lbs 1,577 lbs 1,560 lbs