Hillman/sunbeam/singer Imp
Discussion
Hello everyone,
Im after a hillman or singer/sunbeam sport imp, doesn't have to be complete but as solid as possible would be brilliant,
Ideally to do classic trials, runs and possibly some rally/race playtime if i feel like it! Oh and road going!
so I will look at anything!!
And all advice for different things is welcome, dad is a mechanic and so is brother and I have lots of help from fellow imp nutters with any modifications/building etc.
Is their anything in the mean time you guys can think of might be worth getting hold of?
And should I pick one of the above or can I make this - multi use?
Thank you
Hannah xx
Im after a hillman or singer/sunbeam sport imp, doesn't have to be complete but as solid as possible would be brilliant,
Ideally to do classic trials, runs and possibly some rally/race playtime if i feel like it! Oh and road going!
so I will look at anything!!
And all advice for different things is welcome, dad is a mechanic and so is brother and I have lots of help from fellow imp nutters with any modifications/building etc.
Is their anything in the mean time you guys can think of might be worth getting hold of?
And should I pick one of the above or can I make this - multi use?
Thank you
Hannah xx
I have an Imp and the major modification I did was to get rid of the rubber doughnuts on the drive shafts. Every time I would change one it would either take 5 mins or 5 hours so I cut down some datsun half shafts and modified the transaxle flange to suit. :-)
Im converting it to electric at the moment anyway. :-)
Imps are a great car which you can fling around corners as much as you like.
Im converting it to electric at the moment anyway. :-)
Imps are a great car which you can fling around corners as much as you like.
Pic is mid 80s, what's J reg, early 70s? So I guess it was in its early teens then!
It was a lovely car, sold it for a song because we needed a bigger car. According to the DVLA it looks like it was scrapped a couple of years later
Shame, it was in good nick.
It was a genuine Sunbeam Sport. He also had a Deluxe a few years earlier:
It was a lovely car, sold it for a song because we needed a bigger car. According to the DVLA it looks like it was scrapped a couple of years later
Shame, it was in good nick.It was a genuine Sunbeam Sport. He also had a Deluxe a few years earlier:
One of the things I loved about the Imp was the space up front.
I remember breaking the throttle cable on the way to work in winter round 530am. I really had to get to work so using chicken wire I aquired locally I pulled the throttle 3/4 open and off I went. Had to ride the revs.
Anyways, this wouldnt get me up hills (gt engine) so by using the few things I had at my disposal I managed to be able to rig it that I could make it a hand throttle.
Got me home this way too. Lovely car. Still have one :-)
I remember breaking the throttle cable on the way to work in winter round 530am. I really had to get to work so using chicken wire I aquired locally I pulled the throttle 3/4 open and off I went. Had to ride the revs.
Anyways, this wouldnt get me up hills (gt engine) so by using the few things I had at my disposal I managed to be able to rig it that I could make it a hand throttle.
Got me home this way too. Lovely car. Still have one :-)
MiniEllis said:
Im after a hillman or singer/sunbeam sport imp, doesn't have to be complete but as solid as possible would be brilliant,
Ideally to do classic trials, runs and possibly some rally/race playtime if i feel like it! Oh and road going!
The amount of ground clearance you will need for classic trialling (I have about 10" to the sills on mine, and could do with more) means it won't be any fun at all for anything else as the handling will be killed, so keeping it multi-use is unlikely unless you fancy changing the springs, shocks and wheels (the wheels take a pounding on trials and tend to go "50p shaped" after a while) between each thing you want to do.Ideally to do classic trials, runs and possibly some rally/race playtime if i feel like it! Oh and road going!
Definitely get one though, they are excellent
. I got my first one at university in 1991 and have always had at least one on the drive since, even if I haven't always had one that actually worked 
.If you get something, a set of "Monte Carlo" springs will lower it about 1" all round and give very nice road and track handling. No use for trialling though
. There's an absolute load of stuff that can be done to the engine depending on how much power you would like and how much money you have. One of the first jobs on any newly purchased Imp should be to replace the donuts with Lotus Elan items if this hasn't already been done. They last almost forever, I've still got and am still using the pair I fitted to the first Imp I had, 20 years ago.onomatopoeia said:
MiniEllis said:
Im after a hillman or singer/sunbeam sport imp, doesn't have to be complete but as solid as possible would be brilliant,
Ideally to do classic trials, runs and possibly some rally/race playtime if i feel like it! Oh and road going!
The amount of ground clearance you will need for classic trialling (I have about 10" to the sills on mine, and could do with more) means it won't be any fun at all for anything else as the handling will be killed, so keeping it multi-use is unlikely unless you fancy changing the springs, shocks and wheels (the wheels take a pounding on trials and tend to go "50p shaped" after a while) between each thing you want to do.Ideally to do classic trials, runs and possibly some rally/race playtime if i feel like it! Oh and road going!
Definitely get one though, they are excellent
. I got my first one at university in 1991 and have always had at least one on the drive since, even if I haven't always had one that actually worked .If you get something, a set of "Monte Carlo" springs will lower it about 1" all round and give very nice road and track handling. No use for trialling though
. There's an absolute load of stuff that can be done to the engine depending on how much power you would like and how much money you have. One of the first jobs on any newly purchased Imp should be to replace the donuts with Lotus Elan items if this hasn't already been done. They last almost forever, I've still got and am still using the pair I fitted to the first Imp I had, 20 years ago.Yes I think classic trials has been ruled out for now, as Dad said we can use the one in the garage for that as its got a purpose built trials engine in
little bit rough round the edges but we are taking it trailing sunday so see how she goes, putting the fuel tank in later on. I have some ''Monte Carlo'' springs in the garage ready and waiting, unless Dad has used them for another one of the many cars! But I believe I was given them by a friend to help get me on my Imp-y way!
I think i am going to run with i get what i get at the moment, really want something thats a proper head turner - gets people talking.
Not sure if a pristine classic would be really what I want, but then again I don't have to have just ONE Imp :P
Ideally like to get one for May so I can do the classic run here in Suffolk.
I still really like the look of track cars, but I don't want to have it look like a race/rally car, it needs to be one! haven't a clue when I would get out rallying as i'm really a navigator, I think brother would take the driving seat on that one.
Is yours just for trials?
And have you just got the one now?
Thank you
Hannah xxxx
MiniEllis said:
Not sure if a pristine classic would be really what I want, but then again I don't have to have just ONE Imp :P
I like your thinking! MiniEllis said:
I still really like the look of track cars, but I don't want to have it look like a race/rally car, it needs to be one! haven't a clue when I would get out rallying as i'm really a navigator, I think brother would take the driving seat on that one.
Is yours just for trials?
And have you just got the one now?
Just the one Imp (Singer Chamois to be precise) and it is just for trials, when it works Is yours just for trials?
And have you just got the one now?
(currently without MOT). I moved last year and the "restoration projects", which were more like rusted hulks on the drive that would never move again, had to be scrapped. I also have a Davrian, which is all Imp mechanicals. That's a dedicated track car (sprints & hillclimbs), runs on slicks and doesn't even have a registration document so is never going to be a road car. And I agree, it should just look the part, it has to be able to perform on the track as well.I'd like another Imp to use on the road, but five vehicles for one person is perhaps a little too much
onomatopoeia said:
MiniEllis said:
Not sure if a pristine classic would be really what I want, but then again I don't have to have just ONE Imp :P
I like your thinking! MiniEllis said:
I still really like the look of track cars, but I don't want to have it look like a race/rally car, it needs to be one! haven't a clue when I would get out rallying as i'm really a navigator, I think brother would take the driving seat on that one.
Is yours just for trials?
And have you just got the one now?
Just the one Imp (Singer Chamois to be precise) and it is just for trials, when it works Is yours just for trials?
And have you just got the one now?
(currently without MOT). I moved last year and the "restoration projects", which were more like rusted hulks on the drive that would never move again, had to be scrapped. I also have a Davrian, which is all Imp mechanicals. That's a dedicated track car (sprints & hillclimbs), runs on slicks and doesn't even have a registration document so is never going to be a road car. And I agree, it shouldn't just look the part, it has to be able to perform on the track as well.I'd like another Imp to use on the road, but five vehicles for one person is perhaps a little too much
Shame you had to scrap two =[
The ones you have sound like nice quality cars though, Can I see some piccys?
Shame that the Davrian cant go on the road.
Hannah xx
I dragged mine (literally) out of the garage
Dad and I are going to make this the classic trials car, wheel arches look ok, bonnet and front is getting some spot rust and the drivers sill needs....work!
oh Dad also wants your Davrian!! one of the few cars he hasn't ever owned!
But I think im going to keep looking and saving and see if a nice one pops up tax tested etc and drive it about and see if I like it as much as I like trials driving it. And then I can look for something more racey =]
In laws said I could always store one(or two!) in their large back garden (about 1/2 acre), as long as she hides up the back in-between the trees so they don't have to look at her, preferably behind the chicken pen, all covered up!
Score!!!!
I have been hunting the internet again and looked in classic car weekly, still nothing have a couple of leads but one is asking about £2000 too much and the other is a long way but might be worth a go!
Hannah xxx
Dad and I are going to make this the classic trials car, wheel arches look ok, bonnet and front is getting some spot rust
and the drivers sill needs....work! oh Dad also wants your Davrian!! one of the few cars he hasn't ever owned!
But I think im going to keep looking and saving and see if a nice one pops up tax tested etc and drive it about and see if I like it as much as I like trials driving it. And then I can look for something more racey =]
In laws said I could always store one(or two!) in their large back garden (about 1/2 acre), as long as she hides up the back in-between the trees so they don't have to look at her, preferably behind the chicken pen, all covered up!
Score!!!!
I have been hunting the internet again and looked in classic car weekly, still nothing have a couple of leads but one is asking about £2000 too much and the other is a long way but might be worth a go!
Hannah xxx
MiniEllis said:
. Mine's on DCOEs which is a hangover from me using it as a road car, they are great for sections that I can blast up, and everyone says how nice it sounds, but not so great if I want some control over the throttle . Going to put a pair of SU HS2s on it this year to get a bit of driveability back.Handy you having some storage space, need to watch out that you don't end up with loads though and not working on most of them (been there, done that). Good luck on finding a nice one for the road.
I have only driven an Imp a couple of times.
Once was about 250 miles around Bathurst, in the 1964 Bathurst 500 miles.
It wasn't all that much fun climbing up the mountain, but it was an absolute ball coming down the esses. The Imps were definitely the best handling cars racing there that day.
Oh, the other time was in practice the day before.
Unfortunately I don't think many have survived in Oz.
Once was about 250 miles around Bathurst, in the 1964 Bathurst 500 miles.
It wasn't all that much fun climbing up the mountain, but it was an absolute ball coming down the esses. The Imps were definitely the best handling cars racing there that day.
Oh, the other time was in practice the day before.
Unfortunately I don't think many have survived in Oz.
Hasbeen said:
I have only driven an Imp a couple of times.
Once was about 250 miles around Bathurst, in the 1964 Bathurst 500 miles.
It wasn't all that much fun climbing up the mountain, but it was an absolute ball coming down the esses. The Imps were definitely the best handling cars racing there that day.
Oh, the other time was in practice the day before.
Unfortunately I don't think many have survived in Oz.
Bathurst! I am so jealous. Fabulous circuit, watch the V8 supercars on the TV from there every year - or record it as it finishes about 8am our time.Once was about 250 miles around Bathurst, in the 1964 Bathurst 500 miles.
It wasn't all that much fun climbing up the mountain, but it was an absolute ball coming down the esses. The Imps were definitely the best handling cars racing there that day.
Oh, the other time was in practice the day before.
Unfortunately I don't think many have survived in Oz.
Hasbeen said:
I have only driven an Imp a couple of times.
Once was about 250 miles around Bathurst, in the 1964 Bathurst 500 miles.
It wasn't all that much fun climbing up the mountain, but it was an absolute ball coming down the esses. The Imps were definitely the best handling cars racing there that day.
Oh, the other time was in practice the day before.
Unfortunately I don't think many have survived in Oz.
There are a whole heap that have survived in Oz. I have taken a few to the tip because I couldnt give them away. Once was about 250 miles around Bathurst, in the 1964 Bathurst 500 miles.
It wasn't all that much fun climbing up the mountain, but it was an absolute ball coming down the esses. The Imps were definitely the best handling cars racing there that day.
Oh, the other time was in practice the day before.
Unfortunately I don't think many have survived in Oz.
Usually people that own them are tragic's and have quite a few. If you ever want one, google up Bodgy in QLD and ask him if he knows of any. He will know of a whole stack for around the $500 mark. Last time we chatted he was telling me about a deceased estate that had around 10 or 15 or so. Some of them in the house and to get them out needed walls torn down.
Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff