A MOTORCADE of classic cars set off on a 300-mile journey to mark the 50th anniversary of the first Hillman Imp to roll off the production line.

The remarkable little Imp was built by the Rootes Group at its Linwood plant in Renfrewshire, using an aluminium engine adapted from a Coventry Climax fire pump power unit.

Yesterday the 50-strong parade, featuring a host of immaculate Hillman Imps, gathered at the Linwood plant – now the St James Business Centre – before setting off for the Midlands city.

Among the Imp enthusiasts was 32-year-old Richard Gillespie from Londonderry, chairman of the Northern Ireland Imp Club, who travelled over by ferry to join the rally.

His Imp was one of six commissioned by the Norfolk Police force and it stole the show at the Linwood gathering.

Richard said: "The Imp was well before its time. The alloy engine is like the ones used today and they get around 50mpg, which is great even by today's standards.

"My uncle had one for years and it never let him down. This police one was an actual working police car and it's still going strong."

Among those drawn to the police Imp were PCs Carrie-Ann McNab and Martin Love from Johnstone Police Station.

The officers were there to monitor the traffic as the cars set off.

PC McNab said: "I'd love to drive this around for a day. My mum loves these cars."

The Imp was launched in the 1960s as an affordable family car, but was blighted by tales of poor design.

That so many are still running today would seem to scotch those rumours. The Rootes plant, later bought by Chrysler, employed 11,000 people between 1963 and 1981.

The last Imp was manufactured in 1976 and the plant shut after mass redundancies in the 1980s.

William Stuart was a tool setter at Rootes from 1963 to 1981. He brought his four-year-old grandson Zach to the rally.

They were joined by William's friend Jimmy Green, who he met at work 50 years ago. Jimmy was a foreman at Rootes.

William said: "I have good memories of the place. We lived a good life and I made great friends here.

"I wanted Zach to see the cars and to be part of today. I've owned four Imps myself, they are great wee motors."

Councillor Audrey Doig, one of Renfrewshire Council's Linwood representatives, was at the rally with her husband, Councillor Andy Doig.

Three of Audrey's uncles worked at the plant and Andy protested at the factory's closure by chaining himself to the gates.

Audrey said: "It was a sad time when this place closed, but when you see all the smiling faces today it proves what a great car was being made here.

"I'm so pleased to see so many people turn out for this event. The factory made Linwood and changed the history of the village forever."

On the day the first Imp was manufactured, one of the plant's workers – Hugh Morgan – was celebrating the birth of his daughter.

Little Mary was photographed on the bonnet on an Imp, and has forever been known as 'Miss Imp'.

Now known as Mary McLelland, she returned for her 50th birthday. She said: "I have amazing memories of the plant and of the Imp.

"My dad owned one and this place has always been a part of my life."

The plant may be gone, but the spirit of Scotland's last ever mass produced car lives on.

stef.lach@ eveningtimes.co.uk