Development of the Hillman Imp

Third eurocontinental test
(Spain, May 1965 - Development)

Part of Kenneth Sharpe's memories

Because Spain was conveniently close to the UK for this test various staff travelled out for short periods depending on their responsibilities. The cars were driven down to Spain and I joined them in Seville.

The May test time was chosen as the earliest we could expect hot weather. Testing was concerned with cooling (as ever) and driveability. After sufficient experience of heavy city traffic in high temperatures we moved on to Malaga and then up to Granada where, south of the city, we found basically smooth but loose surfaced roads. These produced lots of dust for further air cleaner and dust entry tests. We carried these tests out by driving the test car in the cloud of dust brought up by our transport vehicle in front. Obviously we allowed a safe distance between the vehicles and we weren't running at high speed. I don't think the local farmers were too keen, but nobody complained - perhaps they were used to the dust.

Granada also gave convenient access to the hill road up the Sierra Nevada. This was a cracking road on the way up for cooling and on the way down for brake test (with care). Traffic was light, if there was any, and while the car heat soaked at the top there was a superb view over the mountains. I believe this road now has been improved and continues down the other side making it a through route, so I guess it is much busier.
With the specific tests and the overall assessments completed the test moved on to Madrid. From here the test vehicles were driven back to Ryton, while I was due to visit a small privately owned factory near Oporto in Portugal.

Portugese C.K.D. Imps
Actually getting to Oporto was interesting - the national airline T.A.P. were still using Constellations for internal flights. The visit to the factory was an eye-opener. The main assembly building had two tracks, one assembling Triumph Heralds (I think) and the other C.K.D. Imps. They weren't breaking any records in terms of cars per day, but the quality of the Imps was superb. I had driven many many Imps between 1960 & 1966, probably hundreds, but those built in Portugal were the best.
Why? They were doing nothing special on assembly just taking care to do the job properly. I think the difference occurred when they built the body shells. When the separate body panels were brought together and spot welded, the joint was filled with braze, with the result that the body shell was very rigid. We all know the scuttle and facia shudder the Imps have when you hit a sizable pothole, well these Imps just went thud - everything just moved together.
After this visit it was back to Ryton to carry on problem sorting.

KS2461: Hillman Imp EDU 62C on a dusty road in Spain

KS2462: Hillman Imp EDU 62C on a dusty road in Spain

KS2464: Hillman Imp EDU 62C on a dusty road in Spain KS2471: Hillman Imp EDU 62C on a dusty road in Spain

KS2463: Imp Van CRW 540 (in Spain ?)