To celebrate the British International Motor Show this year we picked our 100 best British cars. Check out our selection to help you choose your favourite home-grown motor.
|
11 Hillman Imp (page 11 of 25)
|
The Rootes Group's rear-engined, saloon-bodied rival for the Mini looked dated compared to the BMC baby, but its sharp rear-wheel-drive handling, all-synchromesh gearbox and gutsy aluminium-alloy, overhead-camshaft, 875cc engine endeared it to rally drivers and motorsport enthusiasts. It won the BTCC three times. Built in Linwood, near Glasgow, the Imp was more practical than it looked, too, with its opening rear window and fold-down rear seats, as well as being a hoot to drive. Despite poor reliability, Rootes sold 440,000, including the twin-carb 55bhp Sport and the more upmarket Sunbeam Stiletto coupe.
