Introducing our Club of the Month - the Imp Club, keeping this national icon alive!
28 February 2022
“You make me feel like Spring has sprung”, sang the late great Frank Sinatra and at Lancaster we recognise and identify with ol’ blue eyes, once the proud owner of an orange metallic 1969 Lamborghini Miura. Sinatra appreciated style and the good things in life so we’re betting the suave singer would have appreciated another national icon.
Yes, we’re talking about the Hillman Imp, which celebrates a 60th anniversary next year. The mighty mouse has powered its way into the nation’s consciousness to become an icon in its own right, so this Spring, we celebrate The Imp Club as our featured Club of the Month.
Fancy a Full English? Well, if you do, the chances are The Imp Club is the place for you. With a motto that reads ‘Keeping the Imp alive’, The Imp Club is one of the most thriving, entertaining, and dynamic of the car clubs in the country.
With roughly 1,300 members studded all over the globe, The Imp Club also has a thriving junior section with a youth membership fascinated by the iconic Hillman classic.
“We encourage everyone to join us, but yes, there seems to be a real buzz amongst younger members for the Imp, with many souping up their own vehicles in retro fashion”, says club Social Media Officer, Pete Fitzgerald.
“One of our members, 25-year-old James Ibbotson, entered the pre 66 championship at the Classic Touring Car Racing Club and not only won the class e (up to 1,000cc), but the overall competition which is really exciting.”
The Imp Club have a superb monthly magazine called IMPressions, which offers fascinating information from events to spare parts, with the clubs own Spare Coordinator on hand to help find spares for all members.
Pete added: “It’s probably worth joining for the discounts on panels available, and the network with experts and enthusiasts means we can offer great prices and access to those hard-to-find bits. You just have to look at the forum platform we provide to see how energetic the exchange of information is.”
An area centre network throughout the country is a vital link for Imp fans to access the latest in information to help keep their Imp in the best possible condition coupled with a worldwide network to bring enthusiasts closer together. If you need to get an Imp part to somewhere around the UK, or even further afield, they can usually find a member to help with IMPternational rescue!
He said: “We have a massive following in Holland and every two years they hold a camping weekend in Rotterdam. We have a big group who go over to meet and swap stories which then turns into a big convoy of Imps going on the run outs. I think that is one of the club’s great merits, it’s friendliness, as we have such a thriving event calendar.
“In addition, there is an Imp Ecosse event which takes place in Edinburgh. Going Dutch which takes place in Noord Brabant and the Wicked Welsh weekend in the Brecon Beacons.
“I suppose our national weekend is the pinnacle of the eventing season which has now been celebrated for the past 20 years with classic owners gathering at various places for an Imp celebration and bringing together over 200 Imps and variants.
“It’s the 60th anniversary of the imp next year and we plan another camping weekend in Coventry with various activities, possibly with a track event though planning is still in its early stages. We ran a competition for club members to design a special 60th logo for use on all promotions of the event.
And what about the Full English? “Well, that’s a very relaxed and chilled camping weekend in Devon. Nice drives, great pub grub, a fire pit and lots of laughter. The black pudding is up to you!
“Actually, to give the event its full name it’s the Imp Club’s Full English Cream Then Jam Edition, so we’re heading more into afternoon tea territory than greasy spoon.”, laughs Pete.
“Ireland, Scotland and Wales have their own events, so we launched the full English in 2017 and it now has a residence in Molland in Devon and it’s growing year on year.”
So how does he sum up the attraction of the famous Imp? What makes it so iconic…so special? “Well, it’s just that little bit different from the mainstream classics. The rear aluminium 875cc engine that loves to rev very high, light nippy handling and they are like a tardis inside.
“As to the most popular, then the Sunbeam Stiletto has a large following, and of course most people want the more powerful 998cc engine. However, the van and Husky are rare and sought after, with limited numbers surviving today.
“It’s so hard to pick a favourite so most Imp owners tend to end up with more than one!”