Remember the launch of the Hillman Imp factory in Linwood in 1963? It was a time of high hopes for Scottish industry, and jumpstarted our car industry after it had stalled for 30 years.

 

Glasgow Museums has in its collection the oldest surviving car to have come off the factory line, “Imp 1”. You can still see this important part of our industrial heritage at the Museum of Transport. In a few years’ time, however, Glasgow’s Museum of Transport will move to the Riverside Museum, and with it “Imp 1”.

 

The Riverside Museum is a dramatic building that will sit by the River Clyde. Inside, we’ll tell the many stories of Scotland’s incredible transport past. We want to tell the story of our Hillman Imp, which is why we need your help.

 

At Riverside, we’re looking at all of our objects – from trams and chopper bikes to the QE2 and the Sinclair C5 – through the lives of the people who made, worked and travelled on them. As well as our 3000 objects, our museum will be full of ordinary people’s voices and experiences. Perhaps even yours.

 

Do you remember Prince Philip launching the Imp in May 1963? Or the announcement that car-makers Rootes were coming to Linwood? Did you share in the optimism about new jobs and prosperity for the area? Maybe you even worked at the factory? Or bought one of the first Imps?

 

We'd love to hear your memories of the Imp’s launch and its early days.If you have any stories you’d like to share, please contact Aileen Strachan on 0141 287 2654 or email This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

 

To read more about the plans for the new Museum of Transport, please visit www.glasgowmuseums.com