TWO Celtic fans are driving to Lisbon in a 1967 Hillman Imp.
Cousins Barry Sweeney and Martin Coyle are making the near 4000-mile journey in the vintage motor which has been specially decked out in green and white colours.
The road trip will recreate the spirit of the “Celticade”, when around 100 vehicles full of supporters of the Parkhead club journeyed to the Estadio Nacional stadium in Portugal to watch Jock Stein’s Lisbon Lions clinch a famous 2-1 victory over Inter Milan.
An Imp led the original fan convoy to Portugal.
And on Thursday the duo will set out from Alexandra Parade in Dennistoun, Glasgow, where the original Celticade began, to make their way to Lisbon for the 50th anniversary of Celtic’s European Cup triumph on May 25.
They plan to film their historic recreation in a documentary called The Lions Road.
“I’m a classic car enthusiast and have been collecting vintage vehicles for years,” said Barry, 45, of Bishopbriggs, Glasgow.
“A few years ago Martin and I began to wonder if it would be possible to restore a Hillman Imp and take it to Portugal in time for the anniversary.
“Famously, a 1967 Imp, painted green and white, was driven to Lisbon by three newspaper men, leading what became known as the Celticade.
“The idea is to pay tribute to these guys and the fans who made the journey 50 years ago.”
Barry struggled to locate an authentic 1967 Hillman Imp — but found one in an unlikely but fitting location.
“It had to be a 1967 Imp, but, after speaking to folk in the Hillman Imp owner’s club we found there weren’t that many available. Most had rusted away or, because they’re so rare, the owner wanted to keep a hold of them.
“Fortunately we found one – in Portugal of all places. It had been built in Linwood in the ’60s and ended up in Braga.”
Several months of work costing nearly £10,000 gave the old Imp a new lease of life.
The duo will be joined by documentary producer Donald MacKinnon in a separate vehicle.
Barry reckons the long distance might be a little uncomfortable in the classic car.
“It won’t be as comfy as a modern standards, it’s very basic,” said Barry. “We’re not looking forward to a 10-day trip in the hot sun on black vinyl seats!”
The original journey from Glasgow to Lisbon took four days – but the 2017 tribute will take closer to five due to the group filming their journey.
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