Hillman Zimp by Zagato
Weird Car of the Day #486: 1964 Hillman Zimp by Zagato – Zimple life
Around these parts, a Zagato is about as normal as I like to get.
People claim the Italian carrozzeria has a flair for the dramatically ugly, which ends up insulting me because I fail to see how Zagato has put an English wheel wrong since 1919.
Some Zagato designs are challenging, yes, like stomaching the appearance and tastelessness of squid ink pasta—but are ultimately safe to consume. The key is this: Zagato designs make you look. They compel you for attention, and reward your mind with a puzzle, should you choose to accept it—what do I think of this thing?
In my opinion, Zagato does some of its best work on humble platforms, including the Hillman Imp's. Meant to be a competitor for BMC's mighty Mini, Hillman did things in reverse: engine in rear, offered different body styles (Singer Chamois? No?)—all tactics in the war for the middle class' hard-earned cash.
Zagato itself ranked Hillman (and the Imp) second: it had already built and exhibited the Gatto coupe, based on a Mini, in 1961. It's WCOTD #404, if you're curious.
For the 1964 Earl's Court Motor Show, Zagato unveiled Zimp, its coupe version of Hillman's Imp, after a handshake deal with UK entrepreneurs Peter Thomas and Anthony Charles.
The idea was for British Zagato Ltd. to be founded in Kingston-on-Thames, where Hillman would supply Imps to be transformed into Zimps.
michael banovsky
