saw in salvage yard

[tomshobby]

Saw this in a salvage yard a couple days ago in southwestern Wisconsin. Took the photo but have no other information.

I have no knowledge of these cars but it looked interesting. If anyone might want to know where it is PM me and I will let you know. A lot of idle curiosity probably would not help an eventual buyer just because of the nature of the yard owner. Let's just say, it was an interesting afternoon.

 

[racingenglishcars]

There are a few around here that race them. They're quite rare now days. I think they could have the Coventry Climax engine in some.

Something like 875cc

Alan Fraser was the top man of Hillman Imp racing

 

[equiprx]

Nasty grafitti on the windows.

 

[tomshobby]

But the graffiti is free!

 

[AngliaGT]

Tom,

What's the lettering on the rear quater panels say?
Any other decals,etc?I wonder where it was raced.

- Doug

 

[tomshobby]

Doug,

I was able to enlarge the original photo. It says, "The Little IMP Racing Team".

Wish I could help more but it wasn't why we were there. And unfortunately the only photo I took of it.

 

[Steve]

Looks to be in great shape considering its situation..... Fun little cars, considered to be better than the Mini by those who should know. Would it be for sale? I know a couple of guys who might be interested.

Incidentally, the Union Flag on the roof is upside down. :wink:

 

[tomshobby]

Hi Steve, All I know is that it is sitting in the yard. I will PM the info to you. I haven't posted it because I feel if too many checked it out the eventual buyer might not get as good of a deal.

 

[Twosheds]

Incidentally, the Union Flag on the roof is upside down. :wink:

Sign of distress. Seems appropriate.

 

[AngliaGT]

Dumb question - "Union Jack upside down - sign of ditress".
Am I a fool here?Inside joke? The flag looks the same to me,
upside down,or rightside up.
Are you playing with my mind?

- doug

 

[tomshobby]

The red stripe is offset the wrong way.

 

[Guest]

. A lot of idle curiosity probably would not help an eventual buyer just because of the nature of the yard owner. Let's just say, it was an interesting afternoon.

That's why he still has the car, too hard to deal with. There was a guy here like that who looked like the cript keeper and was mean as a snake. He had cancer and had his nose cut off. (PLease don't get me wrong, I would NEVER EVER have anything against a cancer victim.)

He looked and acted really mean. All his stuff was ancient. I didn't go in the yard till he died. He always wanted stupid $$ for stuff.



Funny looking little car. Looks like the offspring of a BGT and a Corvair.

This one appears to be male. :blush:

 

[racingenglishcars]

The veteran car club just happened to do a feature on exactly this type car in yesterdays newsletter.

If you can deal with any type of nortic language you might get something out of these.

 

[LloydL]

Hi all.

Imps were made by the Rootes group in Scotland and were badged as Hillman, Singer or Sunbeams. They all had the Coventry Climax derived 875cc aluminium engine mounted in the rear as shown in the cutaway. In standard form they were nippy little cars and very light to drive, but scary in the wet as the tail would slide out easily in damp conditions. They were successfully raced in the under 1000cc classes, usually bored out to 998cc and fitted with a Jack Knight 5 speed gearbox.

In standard form they suffered badly from water pump failure and overheating, both of which have been overcome since then, and this reputation kept sales down. Then Chrysler bought Rootes Group and the Imp was never developed. A great pity because, with the handling sorted, the Imp is great fun to drive.

Regards, Lloyd

 

[jsfbond]

Saw this in a salvage yard a couple days ago in southwestern Wisconsin.
Not fair really, the Scout in the background is better than anything you see registered and on the road in New England.

 

[racingenglishcars]

Yeah, no kidding. I used to live there. New England rust makes Danish rust look mild.

 

[mtlman8]

didn't columbo drive one of those?

 

[rlwhitetr3b]

He drove a Peugeot 403

 

[mtlman8]

great link. thanks rich.

 

[AngliaGT]

Tom,

Despite the problems,I'd probably try to figure out a way to buy it.
Is there a price for it?

- Doug