Project Hilda
Project Hilda
I had a small budget of £800 and thought I wouldnt get much of a car for it but I was wrong. I joined up to The Imp owners and I got offered a rolling shell. Me and my dad decided to take the short trip to Dorset to view her and I was very suprised. She was a 1973 Imp and was in a pretty good state seeing as she had been sat in a field for 2 years. She came with everything bar the engine and cooling parts. The owner also had uprated the seats to XR2i front seats however she had the orginals stored in the back
So handed over the £150 and a week later she was delivered to my front door. So Hilda had returned to its rightful owner. Next step was deciding what to do with her (and no scrapping wasnt apart of my plans!). I have no mechanical knowledge, I am not trained in cars and have always paid a garage to do things for me. This time it was different Tim was going to get his hands dirty (and later cut open).
After a few days of going back through the imp history I decided how Hilda was to be. I was going to turn her into a Monte Carlo rally/track car. I had found my inspiration and now was the fun part getting my hands dirty.
Car 1 - 02 Lexus IS200 SE Strathcaron Blue, Sport Grille, TTE Lowering Springs (to be fitted), K&N Panel Filter, 6500K XENON Headlight Main & Dipped Bulbs, Xenon Sidelights, 17" Gunmetal Powder Coated Alloys, Front Grooved Discs and Mintex Pads
Car 2 - 73 Hillman Imp AKA Hilda, Aquarious Blue, work in progress!
Last year I went to HSCC at Brands Hatch to see the clasic racing.Whilst I was there I fell in love with the Hillman Imps. After the meet me, my dad and uncle had a chat and I had always wanted to restore a car. So the next 2 and a half weeks I trawled the net and car mags to find my project.
I had a small budget of £800 and thought I wouldnt get much of a car for it but I was wrong. I joined up to The Imp owners and I got offered a rolling shell. Me and my dad decided to take the short trip to Dorset to view her and I was very suprised. She was a 1973 Imp and was in a pretty good state seeing as she had been sat in a field for 2 years. She came with everything bar the engine and cooling parts. The owner also had uprated the seats to XR2i front seats however she had the orginals stored in the back
So handed over the £150 and a week later she was delivered to my front door. So Hilda had returned to its rightful owner. Next step was deciding what to do with her (and no scrapping wasnt apart of my plans!). I have no mechanical knowledge, I am not trained in cars and have always paid a garage to do things for me. This time it was different Tim was going to get his hands dirty (and later cut open).
After a few days of going back through the imp history I decided how Hilda was to be. I was going to turn her into a Monte Carlo rally/track car. I had found my inspiration and now was the fun part getting my hands dirty.
Car 1 - 02 Lexus IS200 SE Strathcaron Blue, Sport Grille, TTE Lowering Springs (to be fitted), K&N Panel Filter, 6500K XENON Headlight Main & Dipped Bulbs, Xenon Sidelights, 17" Gunmetal Powder Coated Alloys, Front Grooved Discs and Mintex Pads
Car 2 - 73 Hillman Imp AKA Hilda, Aquarious Blue, work in progress!
My Vision
![[Image: untitled-5.jpg]](http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd195/timkemp771986/untitled-5.jpg)
So my first mission was to strip her down to a bare shell so me and a mate took day off works and got the following done.
![[Image: DSCF0546.jpg]](http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd195/timkemp771986/DSCF0546.jpg)
![[Image: DSCF0547.jpg]](http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd195/timkemp771986/DSCF0547.jpg)
![[Image: DSCF0548.jpg]](http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd195/timkemp771986/DSCF0548.jpg)
![[Image: DSCF0549.jpg]](http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd195/timkemp771986/DSCF0549.jpg)
![[Image: DSCF0550.jpg]](http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd195/timkemp771986/DSCF0550.jpg)
![[Image: DSCF0552.jpg]](http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd195/timkemp771986/DSCF0552.jpg)
![[Image: DSCF0553.jpg]](http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd195/timkemp771986/DSCF0553.jpg)
![[Image: DSCF0554.jpg]](http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd195/timkemp771986/DSCF0554.jpg)
![[Image: DSCF0555.jpg]](http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd195/timkemp771986/DSCF0555.jpg)
![[Image: DSCF0556.jpg]](http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd195/timkemp771986/DSCF0556.jpg)
![[Image: DSCF0557.jpg]](http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd195/timkemp771986/DSCF0557.jpg)
![[Image: DSCF0558.jpg]](http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd195/timkemp771986/DSCF0558.jpg)
![[Image: DSCF0560.jpg]](http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd195/timkemp771986/DSCF0560.jpg)
![[Image: DSCF0561.jpg]](http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd195/timkemp771986/DSCF0561.jpg)
![[Image: DSCF0562.jpg]](http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd195/timkemp771986/DSCF0562.jpg)
![[Image: DSCF0566.jpg]](http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd195/timkemp771986/DSCF0566.jpg)
After spending the day ripping her apart we were suprised with the overall condition. Only a few rot spots and sills have worn in few places but still chuffed.
Car 1 - 02 Lexus IS200 SE Strathcaron Blue, Sport Grille, TTE Lowering Springs (to be fitted), K&N Panel Filter, 6500K XENON Headlight Main & Dipped Bulbs, Xenon Sidelights, 17" Gunmetal Powder Coated Alloys, Front Grooved Discs and Mintex Pads
Car 2 - 73 Hillman Imp AKA Hilda, Aquarious Blue, work in progress!
Ah dont diss the imp the awesome!
My Vision
So my first mission was to strip her down to a bare shell so me and a mate took day off works and got the following done.
After spending the day ripping her apart we were suprised with the overall condition. Only a few rot spots and sills have worn in few places but still chuffed.
Car 1 - 02 Lexus IS200 SE Strathcaron Blue, Sport Grille, TTE Lowering Springs (to be fitted), K&N Panel Filter, 6500K XENON Headlight Main & Dipped Bulbs, Xenon Sidelights, 17" Gunmetal Powder Coated Alloys, Front Grooved Discs and Mintex Pads
Car 2 - 73 Hillman Imp AKA Hilda, Aquarious Blue, work in progress!
Corbeau Forza Sports
![[Image: 17564_404554030383_576155383_10469835_717208_n.jpg]](http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd195/timkemp771986/17564_404554030383_576155383_10469835_717208_n.jpg)
So I had spent some money on cosmetic changes (brought my Monte Carlo decals off ebay whilst I saw them) so next was engine. I put up a wanted thread for an 998cc sports engine but none were in my budget so got offered a sweet deal on a 875cc with lots of goodies. Again the beemer was borrowed and me and the old man went up to maccesfield to pick up my 875cc engine, front zetec brake upgrade kit, twin strom carb kit and few other goodies. Parted with the £450 and trundled back home however when we got back we had abit of oil spill :Sulk: luckily put sheets down so wasnt :Shooting: by the old man.
I then had some spare cash so brought some Monaco lowering springs. So started to fit the brakes and change the springs. My fears came over me and I froze on the springs. It was taking ages to release the top mount and bolts and started to panic that I had taken on more than i could chew so this is the state I left it at for 3 months
![[Image: 17564_404554005383_576155383_10469833_6136040_n.jpg]](http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd195/timkemp771986/17564_404554005383_576155383_10469833_6136040_n.jpg)
![[Image: 17564_404553995383_576155383_10469832_5082008_n.jpg]](http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd195/timkemp771986/17564_404553995383_576155383_10469832_5082008_n.jpg)
![[Image: 17564_404553980383_576155383_10469831_2979467_n.jpg]](http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd195/timkemp771986/17564_404553980383_576155383_10469831_2979467_n.jpg)
New vs old
![[Image: 17564_404553955383_576155383_10469827_5170378_n.jpg]](http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd195/timkemp771986/17564_404553955383_576155383_10469827_5170378_n.jpg)
![[Image: 17564_404553960383_576155383_10469828_449931_n.jpg]](http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd195/timkemp771986/17564_404553960383_576155383_10469828_449931_n.jpg)
Anyway thanks to some advice I managed to fit the springs and felt like i had really acheieved something. Over the next 6 months I had collected enough parts to be fitted and started to remove the sound proof layer from the interior which was a ***** to remove.
I then got my bro in laws dad to help me rebuild the engine and we found it had seized. I am have stopped working on th engine as it may cost alot to get sorted so looking at engine builds possibly 4EFTE build.
Car 1 - 02 Lexus IS200 SE Strathcaron Blue, Sport Grille, TTE Lowering Springs (to be fitted), K&N Panel Filter, 6500K XENON Headlight Main & Dipped Bulbs, Xenon Sidelights, 17" Gunmetal Powder Coated Alloys, Front Grooved Discs and Mintex Pads
Car 2 - 73 Hillman Imp AKA Hilda, Aquarious Blue, work in progress!
Now that she was bare I could slowly see some progress. The following week I noticed a pair of mint bucket seats going cheap so made an offer of £150 inc harness's and me and the misses (in the dads new estate bemmer) went up to Birmingham. Well all i can say was the house was more like a drug den so handed over the cash quick took the seats and drove off fast!
Corbeau Forza Sports
So I had spent some money on cosmetic changes (brought my Monte Carlo decals off ebay whilst I saw them) so next was engine. I put up a wanted thread for an 998cc sports engine but none were in my budget so got offered a sweet deal on a 875cc with lots of goodies. Again the beemer was borrowed and me and the old man went up to maccesfield to pick up my 875cc engine, front zetec brake upgrade kit, twin strom carb kit and few other goodies. Parted with the £450 and trundled back home however when we got back we had abit of oil spill :Sulk: luckily put sheets down so wasnt :Shooting: by the old man.
I then had some spare cash so brought some Monaco lowering springs. So started to fit the brakes and change the springs. My fears came over me and I froze on the springs. It was taking ages to release the top mount and bolts and started to panic that I had taken on more than i could chew so this is the state I left it at for 3 months
New vs old
Anyway thanks to some advice I managed to fit the springs and felt like i had really acheieved something. Over the next 6 months I had collected enough parts to be fitted and started to remove the sound proof layer from the interior which was a ***** to remove.
I then got my bro in laws dad to help me rebuild the engine and we found it had seized. I am have stopped working on th engine as it may cost alot to get sorted so looking at engine builds possibly 4EFTE build.
Car 1 - 02 Lexus IS200 SE Strathcaron Blue, Sport Grille, TTE Lowering Springs (to be fitted), K&N Panel Filter, 6500K XENON Headlight Main & Dipped Bulbs, Xenon Sidelights, 17" Gunmetal Powder Coated Alloys, Front Grooved Discs and Mintex Pads
Car 2 - 73 Hillman Imp AKA Hilda, Aquarious Blue, work in progress!
thinking just rebuilding an engine this time though
![[Image: LexuS-Copy.jpg]](http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h204/Sparkystav/LexuS-Copy.jpg)
Read my thread here: The Evolution of my Turbo Lexus from NA-Supercharged-Twin Turbo-Massive Single
Please leave your comments.
Sparkystav
14-07-2017, 07:59 AM #5Looks a good project mate, i'm currently looking for a winter project for myself.
thinking just rebuilding an engine this time though
Read my thread here: The Evolution of my Turbo Lexus from NA-Supercharged-Twin Turbo-Massive Single
Please leave your comments.
Looking into prices for the engine and box then can go on from there
Car 1 - 02 Lexus IS200 SE Strathcaron Blue, Sport Grille, TTE Lowering Springs (to be fitted), K&N Panel Filter, 6500K XENON Headlight Main & Dipped Bulbs, Xenon Sidelights, 17" Gunmetal Powder Coated Alloys, Front Grooved Discs and Mintex Pads
Car 2 - 73 Hillman Imp AKA Hilda, Aquarious Blue, work in progress!
This is a real RWD car as the engine is in the rear not front hahaha!!!
Looking into prices for the engine and box then can go on from there
Car 1 - 02 Lexus IS200 SE Strathcaron Blue, Sport Grille, TTE Lowering Springs (to be fitted), K&N Panel Filter, 6500K XENON Headlight Main & Dipped Bulbs, Xenon Sidelights, 17" Gunmetal Powder Coated Alloys, Front Grooved Discs and Mintex Pads
Car 2 - 73 Hillman Imp AKA Hilda, Aquarious Blue, work in progress!
TimmyK This is a real RWD car as the engine is in the rear not front hahaha!!!
Looking into prices for the engine and box then can go on from there
Don't need to tell me about engine in the rear :laugh:
I got a crash damaged GT on ebay for £600, once i had sold everything off i was left with all the key parts i needed for £150
TimmyK This is a real RWD car as the engine is in the rear not front hahaha!!!
Looking into prices for the engine and box then can go on from there
Don't need to tell me about engine in the rear :laugh:
I got a crash damaged GT on ebay for £600, once i had sold everything off i was left with all the key parts i needed for £150
IF I could get mine with a 4EFTE weighing 650kg with your Demon car we could take on all world!!!!
Car 1 - 02 Lexus IS200 SE Strathcaron Blue, Sport Grille, TTE Lowering Springs (to be fitted), K&N Panel Filter, 6500K XENON Headlight Main & Dipped Bulbs, Xenon Sidelights, 17" Gunmetal Powder Coated Alloys, Front Grooved Discs and Mintex Pads
Car 2 - 73 Hillman Imp AKA Hilda, Aquarious Blue, work in progress!
That could be way forward I have been looking at engines alone!
IF I could get mine with a 4EFTE weighing 650kg with your Demon car we could take on all world!!!!
Car 1 - 02 Lexus IS200 SE Strathcaron Blue, Sport Grille, TTE Lowering Springs (to be fitted), K&N Panel Filter, 6500K XENON Headlight Main & Dipped Bulbs, Xenon Sidelights, 17" Gunmetal Powder Coated Alloys, Front Grooved Discs and Mintex Pads
Car 2 - 73 Hillman Imp AKA Hilda, Aquarious Blue, work in progress!
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