Whoever drove the Zagato Hillman Zimp, remains impressed for the comfortable ride, thanks to its driving position and the bright interior. The unmistakable roar of the the 875 cc all-alloy Coventry Climax FWMA – based engine, combined with the aluminum body makes this car surprisingly fast, but because its very light, it suffers from aerodynamic lift at 60 mph. In addition of that a direct steering and a well designed chassis makes this car a real Zagato.
The Hillman Zimp was born when Zagato saw the possibility for an aluminium-body based on Tootes group’s impressive new Hillman Imp. Afterwards, the idea of a Mini-based 1961 Zagato GT was born which was received positively by the Rootes Group because of the possibility to sprinkle themselves with some much-needed Italian Glamour.
Two more cars were created, taking each up to 9 month to be built: A white Deluxe CUD 180B, and a red Deluxe CUD 181B. Both were ready for the 1964 Earls Court Motor Show. So in total 3 speciments were built, 2 of which were commissioned by the same owner.
Thanks to its light weight, the Zagato Zimp could reach up to 87 mph, but it never went into series production. In that years the company was facing financial difficulties, but in the end Chrysler came into the scene and took an initial 50% stake in Rootes. Although the american company didn’t like the Zimp and sadly cancelled the project.
The Zimp was a very special car: when you walk around it, many similarities with other Zagato creation can be found. Designed by Ercole Spada, it is in fact very handsome: there is a fascinatingly chunky theme going on and its profile has an almost push-me-pull-you symmetric due to the droop-snoot and the droop-tail. Its shapes are unique, unmistakably Zagato. It have could been a stylish and economic alternative to the dime-a-dozen Mini.
