Vintage Thing 22.2 - yet another Siva Llama

It's happened again. Each time I blog about Siva Llama's, another one turns up. I stated on VT 22.1 that the total of known survivors was 4. Well I was wrong. There are in fact 5.

This example features on Franka’s website which is well worth visiting if just for all the information on the many Imp specials that exist. She has even tracked down information on the Whomobile, Dr Who's hover car that was really an Imp powered trike underneath some 1970's space age glass fibre. Thanks for digging up this splendid example of a Siva Llama, Franka.

It was spotted by an “Imp enthusiast from Porto, Portugal” in the town of Porto near the gardens of “Palácio de Cristal” (Crystal Palace), on 25th April 2008. It’s a very smart van version like mine although mine doesn’t have a tailgate, just a roll down PVC curtain with a vinyl window let into it. The headlamps look like they fit properly, unlike mine, and so do the doors – again unlike mine.

The doors are different, too. On my van, they hinge on the upright supporting the windscreen frame. On the Portugese example, they appear to extend to the leading edge of the windscreen surround and look like they fit properly, too. Mine were so drafty – even when standing still – that I never bothered using them.

The rear tailgate looks like a professional moulding and the thick rubber seal would suggest its window is glass.

The anonymous “Imp enthusiast from Porto, Portugal” says that the registration number dates from the mid to late 1970s and wonders if this left hand drive car with a Super Imp dashboard was imported from Angola. As the "Imp enthusiast" works close to where this car was spotted more details may be forthcoming later.

Have a look around Franka's site for if you're into specials and Vintage Things of any sort, she's gathered many interesting creations for your automotive edification and delight.