Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

alanb · Joined: 10 Sep 2012 Posts: 516 Location: Berkshire.

If you tried hard enough you could loose the back end and like most rear engine cars the breakaway was sudden and vicious you would have to be a very skilful driver to control it, but most people would loose their bottle long before they lost the rear end of an imp.
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old tourer

Morris 8 two seater

mikeC · Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2018 12:15 pm Post subject:

Tyre pressures are critical, but providing they are right the Imp will out-corner all but the most aggressive of drivers as alanb says. Just watch some of the youtube films of classic racing - the Imps always leave the Minis behind on the corners ... and it takes a 1275 Mini to outdrag a 1000cc Imp!
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in the garage: 1938 Talbot Ten Airline
Recently departed: 1953 Lancia Appia, 1931 Austin Seven, 1967 Singer Chamois, 1914 Saxon, 1930 Morris Cowley, 1936 BSA Scout, 1958 Lancia Appia coupe, 1922 Star 11.9 ... the list goes on!

badhuis · Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 1390 Location: Netherlands

The Imp did have quite advanced suspension front and rear. Together with the high pressure in the rear tyres the roadholding is fantastic. Back in the days Car magazine, more an independent magazine compared to Autocar or Motor, compared a Mini Cooper to a Imp Sport and the Imp came out best regarding handling.
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a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment

badhuis · Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 1390 Location: Netherlands

There are some negatives on the Imp as well of course. Kingpins is an old fashioned feature and a chore to replace, I absolutely hate the brakes - drums all round with cylinders having the habit to leak if left unused over three months or so. The cooling system is marginal and should be looked after frequently. If the radiator is not tip top it will overheat.
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a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment

47Jag · Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2018 12:43 pm Post subject:

During its development period of the Imp it was almost daily news here in Scotland that another prototype had thrown itself off the road. I think getting the suspension right probably delayed the launch for almost a year.

Art

consul 57 · Joined: 09 Nov 2017 Posts: 487 Location: somerset

my first car was an imp, great to learn in and i did lots of miles in it.
i then added a rally cam, comp valve spring, 4-2-1 exhaust, twin carbs ect, went well, revved to 11,000 rpm a few times.
much better than a mini imho!

emmerson · Joined: 30 Sep 2008 Posts: 1268 Location: South East Wales

Better than a Mini by far. As has been said, if they'd got the cooling right first time, the Imp was a world-beater.

Keith D · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2018 1:48 am Post subject:

I've never owned a Mini nor an Imp, but I don't remember Hillman Imps ever beating Mk2 Jags on the racetrack.

Keith
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1926 Chrysler 60 tourer
1932 Austin Seven RN long wheelbase box sedan
1950 Austin A40 tourer
1999 BMW Z3
Its weird being the same age as old people.
You are either part of the problem or part of the solution

badhuis · Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 1390 Location: Netherlands

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7118 Location: Edinburgh

I think Keith is implying that the Mini is better because it could beat a Jag on the track. Apples and pears yes, or perhaps horses for courses. The Imp was always supreme in Rallycross races.

Peter
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http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

mikeC · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2018 10:17 am Post subject:

Keith D · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2018 11:14 am Post subject:

Sorry guys, but I must be bucking the trend.

As I said, I have never owned either, but as I have posted in a earlier thread, an uncle and a cousin (opposite sides of my family) experienced and good drivers, both ended up on their roofs in their Hillman Imps. My cousin on the Southend Arterial and my uncle on the Great West Road out of London.

I haven't met anybody crazy enough to topple a Mini under normal driving conditions yet.

Keith
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1926 Chrysler 60 tourer
1932 Austin Seven RN long wheelbase box sedan
1950 Austin A40 tourer
1999 BMW Z3
Its weird being the same age as old people.
You are either part of the problem or part of the solution

47Jag · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2018 1:05 pm Post subject:

Keith,

As I said earlier they wrecked quite a few prototypes during development. So I reckon it’s in the genes. On the limit you would probably be better off in a Mini.

Art

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7118 Location: Edinburgh

One of my work colleagues landed his Mini on its roof one morning. A group of us helped him right it and I think he drove it home without problems.

Peter
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http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7118 Location: Edinburgh