Oxford Diecast 76HI005

Hillman Imp Safari Beige

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI images rather than photographs

Prototype Eras
Era 5 (1956 to 1966) British Railways Late Crest
Era 6 (1967 to 1972) British Rail Blue (Pre-TOPS)
Era 7 (1972 to 1982) British Rail Blue (TOPS)
Era 8 (1983 to 1994) British Rail Sectorisation

Manufacturer description

It’s back to the early Sixties for this Hillman Imp, which hit the British road scene in 1963 as a direct competitor to the Classic Mini which had seen success since 1959.  Small, light and featuring an innovative rear mounted 875cc engine, the Imp was way ahead of its time. Additional innovations included an aluminium engine block and cylinder head, rear-wheel drive, coil springs, an opening rear hatch, automatic choke, as well as temperature, voltage and oil pressure gauges,   For these reasons and also the large passenger and luggage space facilitated by a folding rear bench seat, the Imp was highly popular.

Our little two-door Imp is decorated in Safari Beige with a matching beige interior. It is registered UTK 971L from 1972, four years before it ceased production under the Rootes Group.  Exterior trim is finished in both silver and black, including a sporty line along the waist. The Hillman name is printed off centre on the front of the grille.

The Hillman Imp was quite impressive on the track too in its day, so not just a pretty face!

Catalogue listing

Oxford Diecast Hillman Imp Safari Beige – Model 76HI005

This 1:43 scale die‑cast replica represents a Hillman Imp from the early 1960s, a small rear‑engined car first launched on the British market in 1963 as a rival to the Mini. The model is finished in Safari Beige with a matching interior and carries the registration UTK 971L, dated 1972, four years before the Imp ceased production under the Rootes Group.

Key features include an aluminium 875 cc rear‑mounted engine, rear‑wheel drive, coil springs, an opening rear hatch, automatic choke and gauges for temperature, voltage and oil pressure. The exterior trim is highlighted in silver and black, with a sporty waist line and the Hillman name printed off‑centre on the grille. The model also reflects the car’s popularity for both its spacious passenger and luggage capacity and its competitive performance on track.