Uploaded July 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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The Imp is a car of contradictions. While it sported a cutting edge, aluminium engine with a motorsport pedigree, it was mounted at the back when the rest of the car industry was moving to front wheel drive. It was built in a brand-new facility with the latest machinery, but hundreds of miles away from its suppliers. This all produced a car that was modern, yet outdated. Why did Rootes Group, a car company with a long history of making conservative, reliable cars in the heart of the car producing Midlands, decide to make their first economy car near Glasgow?

Optional Extra video: youtu.be/zLghc0fd4mE

Music: "Jazz Organ Trio Cool Blue" by Doug Maxwell / Media Right Productions from the YouTube audio library.

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Sources:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suez_Canal
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suez_Crisis
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coventry_Climax
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_25
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillman_Husky
youtube.com/watch?v=QrYveHWvSgU
youtube.com/watch?v=EtW4KNCBk1Y
motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/january-1963/26/rootes-new-baby
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Anglia
imps4ever.info
aronline.co.uk/concepts-and-prototypes/hillman-imp-rootes-asp
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulip_Rally
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunbeam_Rapier
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_Sunbeam

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